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

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

Location Best Practices

Naming Conventions

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

Location Modifiers

INT. CAR (MOVING) - DAY
INT. CAR (PARKED) - NIGHT
INT. WAREHOUSE (ABANDONED) - DAY
EXT. HOUSE (ESTABLISHING) - DAY
INT. PLANE (IN FLIGHT) - NIGHT

Sub-locations

INT. JOHN'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
INT. JOHN'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
INT. HOSPITAL - HALLWAY - NIGHT
INT. HOSPITAL - SARAH'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Special Scene Headings

Flashbacks/Flash-forwards

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

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:

.MONTAGE - SARAH'S TRAINING

.FLASHBACK SEQUENCE

.SERIES OF SHOTS

.INTERCUT - PHONE CONVERSATION

Scene Numbers

Format

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#)

Common Patterns

Continuous Action

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

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

.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

Validation Checklist

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

scene-headings

Scene Headings Skill

Invocation Triggers

Scene Heading Format

Standard Structure