Scene Heading

Also known as a “slug line,” the scene heading briefly describes where each scene takes place. It should be written in all caps and use periods and hyphens to properly segment each part, which are:

• General location: Decide whether the scene takes place inside or outside of the specific location. Use INT. (for interior) or EXT. (for exterior). This element helps establish the scene’s surroundings.

• Specific location: This is exactly where the scene takes place and where the camera is located in reference to the characters, which can help readers better visualize where they are as the audience when viewing the scene.

• Time of day: Include the time of day to help readers track the timeline of the story as well as better set the scene. The most commonly used times of day include DAY, NIGHT, EVENING, and the occasional LATER, which may be used to indicate that not much time has passed.

Here are a few examples:

• EXT. SAUCED HOG BIKER BAR – NIGHT

• INT. DRAB OFFICE – DAY

• EXT. GRAND CANYON – EVENING

Subheaders

Subheaders are like small slug lines that are more casual and explain when the scene occurs in another place or time (ex: Later, or Library).

Dialogue

This element goes under the all-caps-and-centered character name, centered and justified. Use standard capitalization and punctuation and make it double-spaced. If you want a character to emphasize a word or phrase, you can underline it. But use that sparingly so actors and directors have the freedom to play around with scenes.

Here’s a full example:

LILY

Why did you do that? I had this under control! You

never trust me.

Putting it all together ----------

INT. SUBURBAN HOME - KITCHEN - NIGHT

A GREEN BALL sits on a countertop. A young hand snatches it. It belongs to FILBERT (9), wiry, lost in his own imaginary world. Dressed as a Knight. A toy sword in his other hand.

FILBERT

This is my castle. I am sworn to protect it. Anyone that stands in my way shall bear the wrath of the almighty--