Unlocking Film Secrets: How Scene Headings and Shots Shape Your Favorite Movies
Ever wonder why some screenplays boast over 200 scenes while others settle neatly between 50 to 100? If you’re scratching your head thinking, “How can that be?” you’re not alone. The sneaky culprit behind this discrepancy is the oft-misunderstood difference between a scene heading and a shot. At first glance, they might seem interchangeable, but knowing when to use each isn’t just a technicality—it’s a secret weapon for accurate scene counts and pacing control. Imagine tracking your progress, only to realize your “scene” count is inflated by shots masquerading as scenes. Confused yet? Don’t fret—this distinction isn’t just about semantics; it’s about mastering the rhythm and flow of your script so your story hits all the right notes. Let’s dive in, unpack these essential terms, and figure out how to wield them like a pro. LEARN MORE
What they are and when each should be used.
A typical screenplay may have between 50 to 100 scenes. If you track the scene numbering system of a production draft, some scripts have what appear to be 200 or more scenes. The discrepancy raises the issue of the difference between a scene heading and a shot. Definitions:
Scene Heading: A line of text at the beginning of each scene that lets the reader know the location and the time of day the scene is taking place. Example:
INT. POLICE STATION — DAY
Shot: Either a specific visual image (as in camera shot) or to indicate the relocation of the action within the context of the primary scene location. Example:
MASTER BEDROOM
Back in the day, these script elements were referred to as a Primary Slugline (Scene Heading) and a Secondary Slugline (Shot).
Here’s where things get confusing. Some writers use Scene Headings where they could be using Shots. Here is an excerpt from the wonderful script for The Devil Wears Prada.
This is a continuous scene: Miranda arriving in the office. Therefore, one could have used Shots instead of Scene Headings like this:
Each Shot represents a sub-location within the context of the primary scene location. There is nothing inherently wrong with using Scene Headings where Shots could be employed, but there is this issue: It gives the writer an inaccurate scene count. If, on the other hand, a writer only uses Scene Headings to indicate the beginning of a scene and shots everywhere else, then that would provide an accurate accounting of the number of scenes.
Why is this important? Let’s say you’re up to page 80 in writing your new script. If you only use Scene Headings to indicate new scenes, you can do a scene count and compare to your page count… let’s say my scene count is 30. That tells me my average scene length is over 2…
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