A slugline is the line that opens a screenplay scene, commonly showing whether it happens indoors or outdoors, the location, and the time of day. Slugline and scene heading are names for the same line. For its place on the page, see the screenplay format guide.
- Slugline
- Also called Scene heading
- A slugline is the opening line of a screenplay scene. Commonly written in capitals, it identifies the interior or exterior setting, the location, and the time of day.
What are the parts of a slugline?
A slugline commonly gives the interior or exterior marker, the location, and the time of day, in that order. In the example below, INT. means indoors, CLOCK REPAIR SHOP names the location, and NIGHT gives the time.
INT. CLOCK REPAIR SHOP - NIGHT
- INT. and EXT.
- INT. and EXT. are abbreviations for interior and exterior, meaning indoors and outdoors. These abbreviations commonly begin a scene heading. INT./EXT. commonly marks a scene that crosses between indoors and outdoors.
What time-of-day words can you use?
DAY and NIGHT are commonly used; DAWN and DUSK mark distinctions that matter to the story. For example, choose DAWN when a repairer must finish before sunrise. Otherwise, keep the time marker broad enough to serve the scene.
- CONTINUOUS
- CONTINUOUS is a marker commonly used in the time position when a scene follows the previous scene without a break in time. A repairer walking straight outside illustrates that connection.
When do you start a new slugline?
A new slugline commonly marks a change of location or time. If the repairer leaves the shop for the alley, give the alley its own heading. If the story returns to the shop the next morning, the changed time calls for another heading.
What are common slugline mistakes?
Avoid vague locations and story description inside the heading. SHOP leaves the setting less clear than CLOCK REPAIR SHOP. A customer pounding on the locked door belongs in action lines. The repairer’s spoken reply belongs in dialogue.
Scriptsolo’s Script editor calls this element Scene Heading. It automatically capitalizes scene headings.