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Scene Heading: Meaning & Definition in Film

A scene heading is a formatted, capitalized line in a screenplay that marks the start of a new scene by stating the location and time, and is also known as a slugline.

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A Formal Introduction to a Scene

A scene heading is the official marker for the beginning of a new scene in a screenplay. It is the first piece of information presented for any given scene, and its purpose is to orient the reader and the production crew to the specific setting. Every time the story moves to a new location or jumps forward in time, a new scene heading is required. This strict, consistent formatting is the backbone of a professional screenplay, allowing for a clear and universally understood structure.

The information in the scene heading is vital for the logistical planning of a film production. The assistant director uses these headings to create the ‘script breakdown,’ a document that lists every element needed for every scene—every location, actor, prop, and vehicle. This breakdown is then used to create the shooting schedule and budget. Therefore, a clear and accurate scene heading is not just a stylistic choice; it is a crucial piece of technical information.

The Standard Format of a Scene Heading

A scene heading is always capitalized and is broken down into three distinct parts, separated by a space, a hyphen, and a space.

  1. Interior/Exterior (INT./EXT.): This specifies whether the camera is inside or outside a location. This fundamental distinction affects which crew and equipment (lighting, sound) are required.
  2. Location: This names the specific setting. It should be descriptive but concise (e.g., POLICE STATION, ABANDONED WAREHOUSE, MARY'S BEDROOM).
  3. Time: This is most often simply DAY or NIGHT. This broad categorization is most useful for scheduling production. Specific times (e.g., MORNING, DUSK) are used only when that detail is essential to the story.

Examples:

  • INT. MUSEUM - NIGHT
  • EXT. ROOFTOP - SUNRISE
  • I/E. MOVING CAR - DAY (Used for scenes that take place both inside and outside a vehicle)

A Note on Terminology

‘Scene heading’ is the formal, descriptive name for this element. In common industry parlance, it is more often referred to by its synonym, slugline. Both terms are correct and refer to the exact same thing.

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