Scene Headings Skill
Invocation Triggers
Apply this skill when:
- •Creating new scenes
- •Formatting scene headings
- •Managing location consistency
- •Organizing scene structure
Scene Heading Format
Standard Structure
code
[INT/EXT]. [LOCATION] - [TIME OF DAY]
Interior/Exterior Prefixes
| Prefix | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
INT. | Interior | Indoor scenes |
EXT. | Exterior | Outdoor scenes |
INT./EXT. | Both | Moving between (car scenes) |
INT/EXT | Both | Alternate format |
I/E | Both | Abbreviated format |
EST. | Establishing | Establishing shots |
Time of Day Options
| Time | Usage |
|---|---|
DAY | Standard daylight |
NIGHT | Standard nighttime |
MORNING | Early day, specific |
AFTERNOON | Mid-day, specific |
EVENING | Late day before dark |
DAWN | Sunrise |
DUSK | Sunset |
CONTINUOUS | No time break from previous |
LATER | Same location, time passed |
MOMENTS LATER | Brief time passage |
SAME | Same time as previous scene |
Examples
fountain
INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD - NIGHT INT./EXT. CAR (MOVING) - CONTINUOUS INT. SARAH'S APARTMENT - MORNING EXT. CITY STREET - LATER INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - SAME
Location Best Practices
Naming Conventions
- •Use consistent names throughout script
- •Be specific: "JOHN'S APARTMENT" not just "APARTMENT"
- •Include relevant modifiers in parentheses
Location Modifiers
fountain
INT. CAR (MOVING) - DAY INT. CAR (PARKED) - NIGHT INT. WAREHOUSE (ABANDONED) - DAY EXT. HOUSE (ESTABLISHING) - DAY INT. PLANE (IN FLIGHT) - NIGHT
Sub-locations
fountain
INT. JOHN'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY INT. JOHN'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS INT. HOSPITAL - HALLWAY - NIGHT INT. HOSPITAL - SARAH'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Special Scene Headings
Flashbacks/Flash-forwards
fountain
INT. CHILDHOOD HOME - DAY (FLASHBACK) INT. CHILDHOOD HOME - DAY (1985) EXT. CITY STREET - DAY (TWENTY YEARS EARLIER) INT. OFFICE - DAY (FLASH-FORWARD)
Dream/Fantasy Sequences
fountain
INT. SURREAL LANDSCAPE - NIGHT (DREAM) INT. PALACE - DAY (FANTASY) INT. SARAH'S MIND - TIMELESS
Forcing Non-Standard Headings
Use . prefix to force any line as scene heading:
fountain
.MONTAGE - SARAH'S TRAINING .FLASHBACK SEQUENCE .SERIES OF SHOTS .INTERCUT - PHONE CONVERSATION
Scene Numbers
Format
fountain
INT. HOUSE - DAY #1# INT. HOUSE - NIGHT #2# INT. GARDEN - DAY #2A#
Usage Guidelines
- •Spec scripts: Do NOT include scene numbers
- •Shooting scripts: Include scene numbers
- •Numbers appear at both margins in output
- •Use letters for inserted scenes (#2A#, #2B#)
Common Patterns
Continuous Action
fountain
INT. HALLWAY - DAY Sarah runs down the corridor. INT. STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS She bursts through the door, taking stairs two at a time. EXT. PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS Sarah emerges into bright sunlight.
Intercut Scenes
fountain
INT. SARAH'S APARTMENT - NIGHT Sarah paces, phone to ear. INT. JOHN'S OFFICE - SAME John sits at his desk, phone in hand. INTERCUT - PHONE CONVERSATION SARAH We need to talk. JOHN I'm listening.
Montage
fountain
.MONTAGE - SARAH'S INVESTIGATION INT. LIBRARY - DAY Sarah pores over old newspapers. EXT. COURTHOUSE - DAY Sarah photographs documents. INT. BAR - NIGHT Sarah interviews an old man. .END MONTAGE
Validation Checklist
- • Prefix is INT., EXT., or valid variant
- • Location is specific and consistent
- • Time of day is included
- • Special scenes are properly forced with .
- • Scene numbers only on shooting scripts