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The script element types
Last updated May 29, 2026 · 5 min read
Script isn't ordinary text — every line belongs to an element type (action / character / dialogue / parenthetical / transition / shot). The scene heading sits above each scene as structured metadata. Slima lays them out for you.
The element types
Each line inside a scene is one of these six element types:
| Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Action | J. Doe stands by the window, watching the fog over the sea. |
| Character | J. DOE (usually uppercase) |
| Dialogue | I haven't seen fog like this in thirty years. |
| Parenthetical | (softly) |
| Transition | FADE TO: |
| Shot | INSERT - PHOTO OF FATHER (INSERT is one of several shot types) |
Above each scene's lines sits the Scene Heading — scene-level structured data (interior/exterior, location, time of day), e.g. INT. LIGHTHOUSE CABIN - NIGHT or 場 1 / 內景 / 燈塔守護人小屋 / 夜. It isn't a line element; you set it from the scene's heading fields.
Setting an element type
While you write, you set each line's element type explicitly — there's no as-you-type auto-classifier:
- Smart Enter / Tab moves you to the next sensible element type (e.g. Character → Dialogue) automatically.
- Ctrl + 1–5 jumps straight to an element type (Action / Character / Dialogue / Parenthetical / Shot).
- The
/slash palette on an empty line lets you pick an element from a menu.
When you import a screenplay (Fountain or a script file), Slima's parser does classify lines by heuristics — e.g. lines starting INT./EXT. become scene headings and short all-caps lines become characters — but inside the live editor you stay in control with the shortcuts above.
Auto-layout per element
Each element type lays out automatically (no manual indent):
- Scene Heading: left-aligned, uppercase, bold
- Action: left-aligned, normal
- Character: centred (Hollywood) / indented (TW), uppercase
- Dialogue: narrow centred column
- Parenthetical: between Character and Dialogue, centred indent
Exact layout depends on the current format (TW / Hollywood).
Element switching
Smart Enter + Tab is the heart of the editor — Enter auto-switches to the next sensible element type.
Dialogue interaction
While writing Dialogue, Slima autocompletes character names from previously seen characters.