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Screenplay Slug Lines - An Important Element Of Screenwriting by: Lynne Pembroke Over the years, I've found that new screenwriters frequently have confusions and misunderstandings on the proper way to write slug lines, also known as master scene headings. This article covers the basics of writing industry accepted screenplay slug lines. Tips On Slug Lines Scene headings or slug lines, as they are commonly called, are a widely accepted convention of 'spec' or 'master scene' screenplay form. Over the years, I've found that new writers frequently have confusions and misunderstandings on the subject, despite having read a basic book or two on the craft aspects of screenwriting. Hence, the reason for this article. Every time the 'where' or the 'when' of your story changes, it's expected that you'll reorient the reader as to location and time of day with a new slug line. A slug line is composed of three parts: 1) INT. or EXT. Is it an interior or exterior scene? 2) WHERE The physical location or name of the set where the action of the scene takes place. 3) TIME OF DAY Usually simply DAY or NIGHT. Examples: INT. JOE'S BAR AND GRILL ' NIGHT EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER ' DAY Whether a scene is INT or EXT is to some degree relative. In truth, some of your INT scenes may be shot outdoors and some of your EXT scenes shot indoors against a blue screen. For the sake of simplicity and consistency, I recommend that if the action takes place IN something (a building, a car, a spaceship, etc.) label the scene INT. If the scene takes place outdoors, and not in something, label it EXT. It's generally considered poor form to use INT/EXT in combination in a slug line. If the action of a scene shifts from INT to EXT, or EXT to INT, write a new slug line. If you find yourself in a situation where you're inter-cutting rapidly between an INT and an EXT location, chances are you're usurping the job of the director by writing HOW your story should be filmed rather than simply telling your story in a compelling fashion. Scene locations should be specific and descriptive. 'INT. RESTAURANT', is a poor slug line in that it's neither specific enough, nor descriptive enough. Slug line locations such as, 'INT. WANG CHOW'S CHINESE JOINT' or, 'INT. BIG ED'S GREASY SPOON DINER', being both descriptive and specific, are far more visual in the impact they have on the reader. Be consistent in your description of scene locations. Once you've labeled a location as JOE'S BAR AND GRILL, it should not mutate into JOE'S RESTAURANT, and then later, THE BAR AND GRILL ON 8TH STREET. After your screenplay is sold, it will be broken down by location and time (day or night) for budget and scheduling purposes. (Obviously, it's far more efficient to shoot all scenes taking place in the same location at the same time.) Be kind to your readers by labeling scene locations in a consistent manner. Avoid presenting extraneous information in your slug lines. (EXT. SANTA MONICA PIER ' 1912 - POURING RAIN ' DAY) Remember that the audience will never see your slug lines. If it's important, and not self-evident, that it's pouring rain and the year is '1912
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