How do you write a Slugline for a space setting? Like EXT. OUTER SPACE - DAYor is there another way to write it

Submitted by Gregory on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 10:17pm

Dear Space Case,

In this instance, INT.  YOUR BRAIN - NIGHT would accomplish the same thing as INT.  SPACE - NIGHT -- but I digress.

Are you writing about a location in outer space that you will use again or just outer space where an event is taking place like a space battle that happens in space?

If the location is just a one-of outer space and all its glory then just a general OUTER SPACE in the slug would suffice.  If there is a particular place in outer space then I'd call it out like:

INT.  NEAR SPACE STATION - NIGHT; or INT.  ASTEROID BELT - NIGHT; or INT.  OFF SATURN'S RINGS - NIGHT

This gives the reader and/or director a visual cue but also a head's up that we're going to be using this location again.

It's similar to using the generic INT. STREET - DAY -- if we're going to be visiting this location again or it has a special meaning in the script then we need to give it a specific street location like INT.  14th STREET - DAY.

Now take off, space cadet and get some writing done.

Hack (always in outer space)

 

 

 

quade's picture

EXT. SLUG LINE - DAY (or possibly) NIGHT

Submitted by quade on Mon, 10/26/2009 - 5:17pm.

I think the thing to remember about slug and action lines in general is they are more than just filler words on the page; they are specific cues to all the other people involved in the production about what's happening.  When I read a scene, I like to be able to pick up the script and read just that scene with all the information I need to envision what it's supposed to look like.

I personally dislike the use of the word "continuous" in a slug line because if I were to come in to do something on that scene, it means I have to refer back to another scene to figure out what time of day it is.  It also means if the scene gets lifted or edited to somewhere else in the script, I might have a nightmare figuring out what it means.  As a lighting director or photographer, I can light for day or night, but I sure as hell can't light for "continuous".  If I'm doing editing or doing color corrections on something that was shot day for night and see the word "continuous"; same deal.  It's confusing at the very least and annoying as heck.

While EXT. OUTER SPACE - DAY may seem meaningless at first, to me it's the difference between light and shadow.  It might be the sunny side or dark side of the planet.  I think if you look at a number of the more realistic space dramas: "The Right Stuff" or "Apollo 13", you can see that they do, in fact, make a distinction in some shots on the screen.