What is the importance of scene headings in a script?

• A. To describe the entire plot.
• B. To provide actor biographies.
• C. To annotate camera movements.
• D. To indicate where and when a scene takes place, formatted in ALL CAPS.

Answer: (D)

Scene headings (slug lines) tell you where a scene happens and when it takes place, and they’re usually written in ALL CAPS. They record interior or exterior status, the specific location, and the time of day, which gives everyone reading the script an instant sense of where the action is and how it unfolds over time. This formatting helps the production team plan logistics, from choosing locations and scheduling shoots to lighting and prop needs, and it also keeps track of continuity as the story moves from one setting to another. Scene headings aren’t meant to describe the entire plot or provide actor bios, and camera movements belong in separate directions or shot lists rather than in the heading itself.