scene-headings

Apply this skill when:

• Creating new scenes
• Formatting scene headings
• Managing location consistency
• Organizing scene structure

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

```fountain

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

```

Naming Conventions

• Use consistent names throughout script
• Be specific: "JOHN'S APARTMENT" not just "APARTMENT"
• Include relevant modifiers in parentheses

Location Modifiers

```fountain

INT. CAR (MOVING) - DAY

INT. CAR (PARKED) - NIGHT

INT. WAREHOUSE (ABANDONED) - DAY

EXT. HOUSE (ESTABLISHING) - DAY

INT. PLANE (IN FLIGHT) - NIGHT

```

Sub-locations

```fountain

INT. JOHN'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY

INT. JOHN'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

INT. HOSPITAL - HALLWAY - NIGHT

INT. HOSPITAL - SARAH'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

```

Flashbacks/Flash-forwards

```fountain

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

```fountain

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:

```fountain

.MONTAGE - SARAH'S TRAINING

.FLASHBACK SEQUENCE

.SERIES OF SHOTS

.INTERCUT - PHONE CONVERSATION

```

Format

```fountain

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#)

Continuous Action

```fountain

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

```fountain

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

```fountain

.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

```

• [ ] 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