Scriptwriting key terms Your guide to being awesome

https://youtu.be/uAfW_QoCLAY SCENE screenplays are divided into scenes. A scene can be defined as a unit of dramatic action which takes place in a specific location in continuous time.

Slug line also called a master scene heading, occurs at the start of every scene and typically contains three pieces of information: whether the scene is set inside (interior/INT.) or outside (exterior/EXT.), the specific location, and the time of day.

Scene direction: always written in the present tense, this contains descriptions of the characters’ actions and events relevant to the story. Characters’ names are usually capitalized JACK notices MARTHA standing at the side of the road. He slams the brakes on and the car screeches to a halt.

Character cue: the name of the character who speaks. Always capitalised and centred above their speech.

Dialogue: what the characters say Action blocks: describes what the characters are doing