Last Updated 3 days ago
What Does INT. Mean in a Script?
INT. stands for Interior. At the start of a screenplay scene heading, it tells the reader that the scene takes place inside a story location, such as a kitchen, office, or car. Its counterpart is EXT. (Exterior), for a scene outside.
A standard full scene heading combines interior or exterior, a location, and the story time of day:
INT. MAYA’S APARTMENT – KITCHEN – NIGHT
This means the action takes place inside Maya’s kitchen at night. It does not specify the lens, shot size, camera position, or actual time the crew will film it.
INT. vs EXT. Examples
- INT. CAFÉ – DAY: action inside the café during the story’s daytime.
- EXT. CAFÉ – DAY: action outside the café, such as on the pavement.
- INT. CAR – NIGHT: action inside the car at night.
- EXT. CAR PARK – NIGHT: action outside in the car park.
The heading establishes the scene’s setting. It is not simply a label for where the camera happens to sit. Placing the camera outside a window to photograph an interior conversation does not automatically turn that conversation into an exterior scene.
How to Use INT./EXT.
INT./EXT., EXT./INT., and sometimes I/E indicate a scene involving both interior and exterior action or views. A sequence moving between people inside a car and action outside it may use a combined heading.
A car is not automatically INT./EXT. because it is moving. If the scene stays with the occupants inside, INT. CAR may be sufficient. If the action moves to a distinct new location, separate scene headings may communicate the change more clearly.
The exact choice depends on how the sequence is written and broken down for production. Keep location names consistent, and follow the production’s established scene numbering and revision process.
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Story Location vs Shooting Location
An interior scene can be filmed in a real building or on a constructed set. A room set with a wall removed for camera access is still an interior in the story. Equally, an exterior street scene built inside a soundstage remains an exterior scene in the script.
The time label also describes the story. INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT may be filmed during the day with the windows controlled. INT. alone does not tell the lighting department whether the scene should look bright, dark, warm, or cool.
What INT. Tells the Crew
During pre-production, INT. helps the crew identify interior requirements for the breakdown, schedule, and call sheet. It is a starting point for planning rather than a promise that the scene will be simple.
A real interior may still have traffic noise, daylight changes, limited space, access restrictions, or weather-related problems. Whether it can replace an exterior on a bad-weather day depends on cast, location, set readiness, and the rest of the schedule.
Does Every Heading Need INT. or EXT.?
A standard full scene heading normally includes INT., EXT., or a combined designation. Screenplays can also use shorter secondary headings within an already established location. Those shorter headings rely on the surrounding scene for context; they do not replace the need to establish where the action is happening.
For a basic screenplay, begin with clear full headings and consistent location names. Final Draft’s scene-heading guide explains the standard elements.