Articles on: Playback Mode

What are Playback Presets?

In Scriptation 6.0, Playback Presets are pre-built setups for how Scriptation reads and displays your script. Switching between them takes a couple of taps, so you can move from a full table read to a rehearsal — or to a silent read-through — without rebuilding your view each time.

📝 NOTE: Your preset choice is saved per device and applies to every script you open until you change it.

Choosing a Preset

Touch or click the Playback icon on the Top Toolbar to open the Playback panel;

✅ TIP: If the Playback icon isn't showing in the Top Toolbar, touch or click the plus sign on the right side to show additional icons. To pin it permanently, see Customizing the Top Toolbar.

On the playback controls, touch or click the sliders icon (on the left side, next to the rewind button) to open the Playback Presets popover;

Touch the dropdown at the top of the popover and choose your preset.

The Five Presets

All On

Every script element is shown on screen and read aloud — Cover Pages, Scene Headings, Action Lines, Character Names, Parentheticals, Extensions, and Dialogue. Useful when you want to hear absolutely every word of the script as written.

Table Read

The script read aloud as it would at a real table read — Scene Headings, Action Lines, and Dialogue spoken in sequence. Skips Character Names, Parentheticals, Extensions, and Cover Pages so the audio flows naturally between speakers, just like actors reading around a table.

✅ TIP: Pair Table Read with AI Voices to give each character a distinct, expressive voice — perfect for casting tests or hearing how a scene plays.

Rehearsal

Reads only Dialogue aloud. Action Lines are hidden from the page, while Scene Headings, Character Names, Extensions, and Parentheticals stay visible — so you can focus on line learning without being distracted by stage directions.

✅ TIP: Choosing the Rehearsal preset is just step one. To pick which character you're rehearsing as (and pull in Auto-Highlight for the whole scene), use the Rehearse button (the theater masks icon directly above the sliders icon on the playback controls). For the full walkthrough — including Line Reminders, Cue mode, Loop, and Slate Countdown — see How do I set up a rehearsal?.

View Only

The entire script displays on screen with no audio. Useful for a silent read-through, reviewing pacing, or running Playback in environments where audio isn't appropriate.

Custom

Choose which elements are shown and read aloud. Set each script element — Cover Pages, Scene Headings, Action Lines, Character Names, Extensions, and more — to Hidden (closed eye), View only (open eye), or View and voice (speaker).

Switching Presets Mid-Session

You can swap presets at any time without losing your character voice assignments or your place in the script. Open the Playback Presets popover (the sliders icon on the playback controls), choose a different preset from the dropdown, and Scriptation will apply the new setup the next time playback resumes.

✅ TIP: Voice assignments live separately from presets. To learn how to set up character voices, see How do I use basic voices for Playback?.

What's Next

What is Playback Mode?

How do I set up a rehearsal?

How do I use premium AI Voices for Playback?

How can I hear my script read aloud?

Updated on: 28/05/2026

Was this article helpful?

Thank you!