Scene Headings

A scene heading — also known as a slug line — is the line that begins every scene in a screenplay. It tells the reader where the scene takes place, whether it is interior or exterior, and what time of day it is. Scene headings are one of the most standardized elements of screenplay format, and mastering them is essential for writing a professional-looking script.

Standard Scene Heading Format

A scene heading follows this structure:

INT. or EXT. — LOCATION — TIME OF DAY

Interior vs. Exterior

• INT. — the scene takes place indoors (interior)
• EXT. — the scene takes place outdoors (exterior)
• INT./EXT. or EXT./INT. — the scene moves between indoors and outdoors (e.g., a character walks from inside a house to the yard)

Location

The location describes where the scene takes place. Keep it concise and specific:

INT. DETECTIVE'S OFFICE — NIGHT
EXT. GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE — DAWN
INT. SARAH'S BEDROOM — MORNING

Generic locations like "HOUSE" or "OFFICE" are acceptable for minor scenes, but specific locations — "MARIA'S APARTMENT," "HARRISON & PARTNERS LAW FIRM" — create stronger visual images and help the reader distinguish between similar settings.

Time of Day

The time of day establishes the lighting, mood, and temporal context:

• DAY — daylight
• NIGHT — darkness
• DAWN — early morning light
• DUSK — fading evening light
• MORNING — mid-morning
• AFTERNOON — midday to late afternoon
• CONTINUOUS — the scene follows immediately after the previous one
• LATER — some time has passed since the previous scene in the same location
• SAME TIME — the scene occurs simultaneously with the previous one

Keep time of day simple. Use "DAY" or "NIGHT" in most cases. More specific designations like "DAWN" or "DUSK" should be used only when the specific light matters to the scene.

Special Types of Scene Headings

Sub-Locations

When a scene moves between areas within a larger location, you can use a sub-location to avoid a full new scene heading:

INT. HOSPITAL — HALLWAY — NIGHT

Or, if already established in the hospital:

HALLWAY

This abbreviated format — a location on its own line — signals a shift within the same scene without requiring a full slug line. Use it when the camera moves between connected spaces (kitchen to living room, hallway to office).

Montage Headings

A montage — a series of brief shots showing the passage of time or a pattern of action — uses a specialized heading:

MONTAGE — TRAINING SEQUENCE

Or:

SERIES OF SHOTS — A WEEK PASSES

Each shot within the montage is described with a brief action line. The montage ends when the next full scene heading appears.

Flashbacks and Dream Sequences

Scenes that take place outside the main timeline are indicated with special headings:

INT. CHILDHOOD HOME — DAY (FLASHBACK)

or

FLASHBACK — INT. CHILDHOOD HOME — DAY

Dream sequences follow a similar convention:

DREAM SEQUENCE — EXT. OCEAN — NIGHT

Insert and Close-Up

For brief cutaways to specific objects or details within a scene:

INSERT — THE LETTER

or

CLOSE ON — HER TREMBLING HANDS

These are not full scene headings — they are directional cues that focus the reader's attention on a specific element. They are followed by a brief description and then the scene returns to its normal flow.

Scene Heading Best Practices

Be Consistent

Once you name a location, use the same name throughout the screenplay. If the first heading reads "INT. JAKE'S APARTMENT — NIGHT," do not later write "INT. JAKE'S PLACE — NIGHT" or "INT. JAKE'S FLAT — NIGHT." Consistency helps the reader track locations and prevents confusion.

Keep It Brief

A scene heading should be a single line. Avoid long, descriptive headings — save the detail for the action lines that follow.

Weak: INT. A LARGE, DIMLY LIT WAREHOUSE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF CHICAGO — LATE AT NIGHT

Strong: INT. WAREHOUSE — NIGHT

Use Location Names Creatively

Specific names add character and personality:

INT. RICK'S CAFÉ AMÉRICAIN — NIGHT
INT. BATCAVE — NIGHT
EXT. HOGWARTS CASTLE — DAWN

These names do double duty — they establish location and evoke atmosphere simultaneously.

Know When to Use CONTINUOUS

Use "CONTINUOUS" when a scene flows directly from the previous one without a time break. A character exits a room and enters a hallway — the hallway scene is CONTINUOUS. Do not use CONTINUOUS when time has passed; use LATER instead.

Do Not Over-Abbreviate

While professional screenplays sometimes abbreviate commonly understood locations (e.g., "INT. O'HARE AIRPORT"), avoid creating confusing abbreviations. The reader should always know exactly where they are.

Common Scene Heading Mistakes

Using Periods Instead of Dashes

The correct separator in scene headings is a dash (—), not a period. Dashes create clear visual separation between the elements.

Inconsistent Naming

Switching between different names for the same location confuses the reader and suggests a lack of attention to detail. Choose one name and stick with it.

Missing Time of Day

Every full scene heading should include a time of day. Omitting it forces the reader to guess the temporal context.

Overusing INT./EXT.

If a scene is clearly set in one primary location, do not toggle back and forth between INT. and EXT. for every minor movement. Use sub-locations instead.

Non-Standard Formatting

Screenplay format exists for a reason — it is the industry standard. Deviating from it (using bold, italics, or unusual layouts for scene headings) marks you as an amateur. Follow the conventions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a new scene heading every time a character moves?

Only if the character moves to a new, distinct location that requires a change in the scene heading. Moving from a kitchen to a living room within the same house can be handled with a sub-location or a brief action line. Moving from a house to a car requires a new scene heading.

What is the difference between a scene heading and an action line?

A scene heading establishes the location and time — it appears in ALL CAPS on its own line. An action line describes what happens in the scene — it appears in normal case below the heading. The heading frames the scene; the action fills it.

Should I number my scenes?

Scene numbers are typically added during production, not in the writing draft. Most screenwriting software can add scene numbers when needed. For spec scripts (scripts written on speculation, not on assignment), omit scene numbers.

Can a scene heading be more than one line?

No. A scene heading should fit on a single line. If the location description is too long, simplify it. Detail belongs in the action lines, not the heading.

Next Steps

With scene headings mastered, explore these related topics:

• Action Lines — writing the description that follows the scene heading
• Scene Writing — the full craft of constructing effective scenes
• Scene Goals — ensuring every scene serves the story
• Scene Transitions — connecting scenes for narrative flow
• Script Formatting — the complete guide to industry-standard screenplay format