What script format gives the best analysis results?

Use a clean .docx with one consistent pattern, ideally CHARACTER: Spoken line for dialogue and parenthesized lines for stage directions. Keep one speaker and one spoken line per paragraph when possible, and remove cast lists, story summaries, program notes, and other material that should not become subtitle cues.

Should I run the free preview before full analysis?

Yes. The preview helps you check whether the document layout is ready, usable, or needs cleanup before you spend analysis credits or create a new editor draft.

Will rerunning analysis replace my editor work?

It can. Starting analysis again can replace the current structured editor content for that script, so export or review your current work before rerunning analysis.

What should I review after analysis finishes?

Check speaker labels, dialogue grouping, cue order, stage directions, line breaks, and any front matter that slipped into the cue list before translating, simulating, or deploying the show.

Preparing Your Script for Analysis | SurtitleLive Guides

Current analysis workflow

Script analysis works best when a clean Word .docx file uses consistent theatre-script structure. Treat the result as an editable cue draft, not a final show file.

1. Clean the source

Remove cast lists, story summaries, notes, and other non-subtitle material before analysis.

2. Preview structure

Use the structural preview to check layout confidence and cleanup suggestions.

3. Review the draft

Open the Editor and verify speakers, cue grouping, stage directions, and line breaks.

What Script Analysis Does

SurtitleLive uses the structure of your Word document to create an editable cue draft. The analysis looks for speaker labels, spoken text, stage directions, headings, and repeated layout patterns.

AI can help with classification, but the safest results come from a clear document structure first. The goal is to produce a draft that your team can review in the Editor before translation, simulation, or live deployment.

Use the Most Reliable Source Format

If you can prepare the script before upload, use one consistent format throughout the document. The most reliable pattern is:

CHARACTER: Spoken line

(Stage direction)

For example:

LEONTES: I am abused.

LEONTES: And by some putter-on that will be queued.

(Enter CAMILLO.)

CAMILLO: He's here, my lord.

Speaker-on-its-own-line formats can also work, but mixed formats make analysis less predictable. Avoid switching between colon dialogue, screenplay blocks, tables, and prose summaries in the same file.

Put one speaker and one spoken line in each paragraph when possible
Do not put two speakers in the same paragraph
Keep stage directions on their own lines
Avoid tables, columns, text boxes, and image-only pages for the performable script body

Remove Non-Subtitle Material First

Before running analysis, delete or move anything that should not become a subtitle cue:

Cast lists, dramatis personae, role tables, and character biographies
Story summaries, synopsis sections, scene-by-scene descriptions, and program notes
Production notes, rehearsal notes, technical notes, translator notes, and contact information
Headers, footers, page numbers, watermarks, image-only pages, and decorative tables
Alternative drafts, deleted scenes, or reference translations that should not appear in the cue list

Keep only the performable body of the script and any stage directions that your team actually wants to review as part of subtitle preparation.

Run the Free Preview First

After upload, open Analyze Script and run the free preview before starting full analysis. The preview helps you decide whether the file is ready or should be cleaned up first.

Check the readiness signal: ready, usable, or needs cleanup
Review the detected layout pattern and confidence
Look at sample extracted lines before spending analysis credits
Fix the DOCX and upload again if the preview finds front matter, mixed layout, or ambiguous speaker lines

Screenshot Placeholder

Analysis preview screen with readiness, layout, and sample extraction

Image needed

Figure 1.3.1: Preview check before full analysis.

Start Full Analysis

When the preview looks acceptable, review the estimate and confirm Start Analysis. Processing time depends on script length, document structure, queue state, and account limits.

Important: Starting analysis again can replace the current structured editor content for that script. Export or review your current work before rerunning analysis on a project you have already edited.

Review the Editable Draft

Analysis is preparation, not approval. Once processing finishes, open the Editor and check:

Speaker names and any merged or duplicated character labels
Dialogue grouping, line breaks, and cue order
Stage directions that should be kept, skipped, or rewritten
Front matter or summary text that slipped into the cue list
Source-language accuracy before AI translation or manual translation review

1.3 Preparing Your Script for Analysis