Screenplay format is at times straightforward, at times confusing. Yet beginning screenwriters often assume that rules of format are set in stone, which is not true. Script format evolves, mutates, and varies from writer to writer. Learning when and how you can alter format to your needs will make your scripts distinctive, and will also allow you to break out of standard format in order to develop a real storytelling style.

Sluglines

A slugline is your scene heading. The basic slugline typically contains:

• A heading designating whether the shot takes place inside ("interior," shown as INT.) or outside ("exterior," shown as EXT.)
• The location. This is the main area in which the scene takes place, such as DAVE'S OFFICE, or KITCHEN, or LAUNDROMAT.
• Time of day. There are generally only three standard designations allowed in this position; DAY, NIGHT, or GOLDEN HOUR (which refers to sunset -- sometimes called MAGIC HOUR ).

The result looks like this:

INT. BOB'S APARTMENT - DAY    

Yet there are several important variations that are possible for your sluglines. For example, you can get more specific about a sub-location within a location.

INT. BOB'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - DAY    

Or, you can move the action from one place to another:

INT. BOB'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
    
Bob walks through the living room, reading his
mail. He enters the KITCHEN.

KITCHEN

He tosses the mail on the counter, and opens his
refrigerator to grab a beer.

Notice that when entering the KITCHEN, that another full slugline wasn't necessary, because the rest of the scene has already been set. By using a slugline fragment, you also keep it clear that you are still in the same location. Another INT. designation might confuse the reader, because it could be interpreted that either you have introduced another location (instead of a sub-location) and might also suggest that a certain amount of time has passed, which is not the case.

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