Slug Lines and Scene Intercuts

Every time you change locations where a scene is taking place you must start with a scene heading, aka a slug line. There are three elements to a slug line:

1. Are you inside or outside? This is stated using the simple abbreviations “INT.” or “EXT.”
2. Where are you specifically? Saying you’re at “BOB’S HOUSE” isn’t enough, you must state what room in Bob’s house you’re in:  “BOB’S HOUSE - KITCHEN,” or “BOB’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM”
3. What time of day is it? Generally a simple “DAY” or “NIGHT” is enough. If the time of day is relevant to the story, be a little more specific and use “MORNING” or “DUSK.” If the exact time is critical, state it “5:04 PM.”

Strung together it looks something like this:

INT. BOB’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY

EXT. BOB’S DRIVEWAY - NIGHT

Slug lines are placed in all caps and there's always a hyphen between the location and the time of day. 

Dialog or action that’s taking place simultaneously in two locations—such as a phone call, or a conversation between a jumper on a building and the people on the ground—can be tricky to write. The two locations aren’t changing, but there are two separate locations. This is where a SCENE INTERCUT is used.

Begin by giving the first slug line, followed by a brief description of the location and who’s present:

INT. JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL - ADMIN. OFFICE - DAY

The back of the new guy as he interacts with the secretary.

On a new line write:

SCENE INTERCUTS:

Then on another new line give the second slug line, followed by a description and who’s present, then launch into the dialog:

INT. HALLWAY - DAY

Jenny and Kristin pass by the Admin office, stop, backup a few steps, and take a second look.

     JENNY

Who’s that?

She and Kristin gawk at the newcomer through the doorway.

     KRISTIN

I can only see his back.

     JENNY

It’s a hot back.

The secretary looks up at John.

     SECRETARY

Your records are incomplete.

     

          JOHN

My former school was supposed to have sent them.

               

          JENNY

     Hope the front’s as good as the back!

If for clarity in the middle of the dialog you feel you need to restate the location, you can give an abbreviated version of the scene heading:


INSIDE OFFICE


IN THE HALLWAY


Use the SCENE INTERCUT feature to streamline the scene and keep the focus on the dialog without breaking the momentum or flow.