Scene heading: INT/EXT + location + time
The scene heading at the start of every scene is the most important formatting element — it tells the reader where, when, and indoors / outdoors.

Scene Heading's 4 parts
| Part | Example |
|---|---|
| Scene number | Scene 1 |
| INT / EXT | INT |
| Location | LIGHTHOUSE COTTAGE (any of your Locations list) |
| Time | NIGHT |
Combined examples:
TW:
場 1 / 內景 / 燈塔守護人小屋 / 夜
Hollywood:
INT. LIGHTHOUSE COTTAGE - NIGHT
See: Format switching
INT vs EXT
| Scene | Use |
|---|---|
| Inside a room, car, indoor anywhere | INT. |
| Street, beach, woods, outdoors | EXT. |
| Indoor with significant outdoor view (e.g. shooting through a doorway) | INT./EXT. combined |
Important: INT/EXT isn't just metadata — it affects production prep. INT needs a built set or room; EXT needs location scouting. Be accurate.
Time options
Common time chips:
- DAY: daytime, natural light
- NIGHT: nighttime
- MAGIC HOUR: sunset / sunrise (golden hour)
- DAWN: just after sunrise
- CONTINUOUS: continues directly from the previous scene (no time jump)
- LATER: same day, later
Slima usually offers preset chips and custom entries.
How to create / change a Scene Heading
In Write view
- Type
INT.orEXT.at line start + location → Slima auto-classifies as Scene Heading - Toolbar "Insert Scene Heading" button
- Tab cycle to the Scene Heading element
From Scene Detail Panel
Scene Detail Panel has:
- INT / EXT toggle chip
- Location dropdown (linked to Locations)
- Time chip
Both surfaces are linked — editing the detail panel updates the Write view's scene heading and vice versa.
Linking to Locations list
If the Scene Heading's location matches an entry in Locations list, the scene auto-links to that location. The Locations list shows "which scenes use this location" (Link scenes to locations).
Related
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