Slug-Lines

CSLUG LINEShere to add text.

Shoot for the stars! Go for the moon!

How to Proof Yourself for the Perfect Slug Line - Every Time

"It's hard to write, but it's harder not to." Carl Van Doren, Swedish novelist

Two spaces down from the words FADE IN you'll write your first Slug Line. A Slug Line is an indication to cast and crew that they will need to stop the camera and set the lights up someplace else. Your Slug Line tells them where.

Here's an example of a Slug Line:

INT. JOHNSON HOUSE - LORI'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

A Slug Line gives information to 4 members of the production team: The lst Assistant Director, the Location Manager, the Set Decorator, and the Lighting Technician. In truth, it gives information to a multitude of crew members, but if you'll just remember the significance to these four key positions, you will never again write an incorrect Slug Line.

lst Assistant Director looks at the first piece of information in your Slug Line to see if this scene is to be shot INT. (interior) or EXT. (exterior). The lst A.D. does the scheduling.

The Location Manager looks at the second piece of information to determine what site must be secured for this scene.

The Set Decorator looks at the third piece of information to determine what room or area must be decorated ("dressed") by the time the crew arrives for filming.

The Lighting Technician looks at the last piece of information to know whether to set the scene for Day for for Night.

Just as mathematicians have ways of checking, or proving, math problems, we screenwriters have ways of checking, or proving, Slug Lines for accuracy:

When you write a Slug Line, go back and ask yourself if you've told the lst A.D. whether this is to be an interior scene or an exterior scene. Does the Location Manager know what needs to be found in the way of a site for filming this scene? Does the Set Decorator know what room or area to prepare for the crew? Has the Lighting Tech been instructed to set the lighting for Day or for Night?

Follow me on this example:

EXT. JOHNSON'S STREET - DAY

We've just told the lst A.D. that we're going to be outdoors (EXT.) for this scene.

We've told the Location Manager that, in this scene, we're going to need to shoot outside the home of a character named "Johnson". So, the street in front of that house will be known to the crew as "Johnson's street". This bit of information alerts the Location Manager to the fact that he has to find a house that can be used as Johnson's, and he also needs to get a City Permit (in large cities. In smaller cities a permit might not be needed), allowing the crew to film on that particular city street during the hours they need to film.

In addition, the poor Location Manager will have to trudge, physically, door-to-door, around the entire neighborhood, with a petition to be signed that asks if anyone objects to the noise and inconvenience of the film crew being there. If there is an objection, it has to be resolved before filming or the permit will be denied.

Next, ask yourself if there's anything the Set Decorator needs to know in order to shoot this scene. In the case of the example given, the answer is no. There is often no information for a Set Dec when the crew is filming an exterior scene. Set Decorators usually works hours, or even a day, ahead of the film crew, preparing interior sets.

Now, ask yourself what the Lighting Technician needs to know. In our example, the Lighting Tech needs to know that the scene will be shot during the Day.

If you looked at our example of a Slug Line, and you were able to answer the questions directed to those four crew members, then you have just created the perfect Slug Line!

Since your goal is to have all of your Tools of the ScreenWriting Trade in fine working order, then tuck this bit of information into your tool kit:

A SLUG LINE always answers these questions, in exactly this order:

(1)