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

[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

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

INT. CAR (MOVING) - DAY INT. CAR (PARKED) - NIGHT INT. WAREHOUSE (ABANDONED) - DAY EXT. HOUSE (ESTABLISHING) - DAY INT. PLANE (IN FLIGHT) - NIGHT

Sub-locations

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

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

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:

.MONTAGE - SARAH'S TRAINING

.FLASHBACK SEQUENCE

.SERIES OF SHOTS

.INTERCUT - PHONE CONVERSATION

Scene Numbers

Format

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

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

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

.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