INT

Setting the Scene: Indoors

In the rigid formatting of a professional screenplay, INT. is the first piece of information in a slugline (or scene heading) for any scene that is set indoors. It is a simple, standardized abbreviation that tells the entire production team that the action is taking place inside a building, a vehicle, or any other enclosed space. This seemingly small piece of data is the starting point for a cascade of logistical and creative decisions.

For the production crew, the INT. designation is a crucial piece of information for scheduling and budgeting. An interior scene offers a controlled environment. This means the lighting team can have full control over the illumination, the sound department can capture clean audio without interference from wind or traffic, and the production is not at the mercy of the weather. Filming interiors is often done on a purpose-built soundstage or at a practical indoor location that has been secured for the shoot.

The Foundation of a Slugline

INT. is the first of three essential components that make up a standard scene heading, immediately followed by the specific location and the time of day.

Examples:

• INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT This tells the crew to prepare for a night scene inside a hospital room. The production designer will be responsible for creating a believable hospital room set, and the cinematographer will light it to look like it is nighttime (even if it’s filmed during the day).

• INT. SUBWAY CAR - DAY This indicates a scene inside a moving subway car. This presents a unique set of challenges, as it may require filming on a real, functioning subway, or on a specially constructed set that can simulate the movement and lighting of a real train.

Every time the story moves from an exterior space to an interior one, a new slugline beginning with INT. is required to mark the beginning of the new scene.