Elements

Learn how Jujukraft’s elements work and which ones provide intelligent suggestions to enhance your writing.

How Elements Work

Jujukraft uses intelligent rule-based logic to determine the next appropriate screenplay element based on your current position in the script.

Rule-Based Logic

The editor follows these rules to determine what element comes next:

Scene → Action (After a scene heading, write action)
Action → Character (After action, introduce a character)
Character → Dialogue (After character name, write dialogue)
Dialogue → Character (After dialogue, introduce next character)
Parenthetical → Dialogue (After parenthetical, continue dialogue)

Smart Element Insertion

When you press Enter, Jujukraft automatically inserts the next logical element based on your current position in the script structure.

Elements with Suggestions

Some elements provide intelligent suggestions to enhance your writing:

Character Names - Suggests previously used characters
Scene Headings - Suggests common locations and times
Transitions - Suggests standard transition types

Scene Headings

Element Flow

After a scene heading, Jujukraft automatically inserts an action block:

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY

John enters the coffee shop, scanning the room nervously.

Rule: Scene → Action

Scene Heading Suggestions

When typing scene headings, Jujukraft provides suggestions for:

Scene indicators (INT. for Interior, EXT. for Exterior)
Time of day (DAY, NIGHT, MORNING, EVENING)
Previously used locations in your script

Format: Scene headings must follow the standard format: SCENE INDICATOR. LOCATION - TIME

Scene Indicators:

INT. = Interior (inside a building, room, vehicle)
EXT. = Exterior (outside, outdoors, on the street)
INT./EXT. = Interior/Exterior (moves between inside and outside)

Examples:

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
INT. OFFICE - MORNING

Manual Scene Creation

To create a scene heading manually:

Use keyboard shortcut Ctrl+1 (or Cmd+1 on Mac)
Type your scene heading
Press Enter to automatically insert action block

Character Names

Element Flow

After action or dialogue, Jujukraft automatically inserts a character name:

John enters the coffee shop, scanning the room nervously.

                    JOHN
           Hello, how are you?

Rules: Action → Character, Dialogue → Character

Character Name Suggestions

When typing character names, Jujukraft provides suggestions for:

Previously used characters in your script
Character names from your character list

Character Integration

When you create a character name:

Automatically added to your project’s character list
Available in character management panel

Action Blocks

Element Flow

After a scene heading, Jujukraft automatically inserts an action block:

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY

John enters the coffee shop, scanning the room nervously.
He spots Sarah at a corner table and approaches.

Rule: Scene → Action

Action Block Structure

Action blocks are automatically:

Left-aligned with proper margins
Single-spaced

Dialogue

Element Flow

After a character name, Jujukraft automatically inserts dialogue:

                    JOHN
           I can't believe you're here.

                    SARAH
           I had to see you.

Rule: Character → Dialogue

Dialogue Structure

Dialogue is automatically:

Indented 3.5” from left margin
Single-spaced
Maximum 35 characters per line
Properly spaced from action blocks

Parentheticals

Element Flow

After a character name, you can insert a parenthetical before dialogue:

                    JOHN
           (nervously)
           I don't know what to say.

Rule: Character → Parenthetical → Dialogue

Parenthetical Guidelines

Use parentheticals for:

Character emotions
Physical actions
Speech patterns
Important directions

Avoid:

Obvious directions
Camera instructions
Excessive use

Transitions

Manual Creation

Transitions are created manually using keyboard shortcuts:

                    FADE OUT.

                    CUT TO:

Creation: Use keyboard shortcuts or manual formatting

Transition Suggestions

When typing transitions, Jujukraft provides suggestions for:

Standard transitions (FADE OUT, CUT TO, DISSOLVE TO)
Common variations (SMASH CUT, JUMP CUT)

Common Transitions

FADE OUT - End of scene
CUT TO - Quick scene change
DISSOLVE TO - Gradual scene change
SMASH CUT TO - Abrupt scene change

Troubleshooting Elements

Common Issues

Wrong element inserted:

Check your current position in the script
Verify the element flow rules
Use manual shortcuts to override

Suggestions not appearing:

Verify you’re typing in the correct element
Try refreshing the page

Element not following expected pattern:

Review the rule-based logic
Check if you’re at the end of an element
Use keyboard shortcuts for manual control

Formatting issues:

Use keyboard shortcuts for manual formatting

Verify proper element structure

Manual Override

If the rule-based insertion doesn’t work as expected:

Use keyboard shortcuts to manually insert elements:

Mac
Windows/Linux

Cmd+1 - Scene heading
Cmd+2 - Action
Cmd+3 - Character
Cmd+4 - Parenthetical
Cmd+5 - Dialogue
Cmd+6 - Transition
Cmd+7 - General

Ctrl+1 - Scene heading
Ctrl+2 - Action
Ctrl+3 - Character
Ctrl+4 - Parenthetical
Ctrl+5 - Dialogue
Ctrl+6 - Transition
Ctrl+7 - General

Force element insertion by pressing Enter at the end of an element

Learn more: See our complete Keyboard Shortcuts guide for all available shortcuts.

Best Practices

Writing with Rule-Based Logic

Understand the element flow rules
Use standard screenplay format
Follow industry conventions
Let the editor guide your structure

Element Organization

Scene headings start every scene
Action blocks describe what happens
Character names introduce speakers
Dialogue follows character names
Parentheticals provide direction when needed

Quality Control

Check element flow consistency
Verify character consistency

Next Steps

Learn about Auto-formatting
Master Keyboard Shortcuts