Scene Headings Skill Skill

Scene Headings Skill

Invocation Triggers

Apply this skill when:

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

Scene Heading Format

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

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

Agent Skills: Scene Headings Skill

Install this agent skill to your local

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