scene-headings

name	scene-headings
description	This skill provides Fountain scene heading formatting rules and conventions. Covers INT/EXT prefixes, location naming, time of day indicators, continuous scenes, and establishing shots. Use when: creating new scenes, formatting scene headings, managing location consistency, or organizing scene structure in Fountain format.

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