In screenwriting, what is a slug line?

• A. A line that describes a character's inner thoughts.
• B. A note about a camera movement.
• C. Dialogue line used to mark transitions.
• D. A scene heading indicating location and time, e.g., INT. KITCHEN - DAY.

Answer: (D)

A slug line, also called a scene heading, is the line that marks the start of a new scene and tells where and when the action occurs. It usually appears in uppercase and begins with INT. or EXT., followed by the location and whether it’s DAY or NIGHT. For example: INT. KITCHEN - DAY. This line guides everyone involved—where the scene is set and what time of day it happens—so production can plan sets, lighting, and scheduling. It isn’t describing a character’s thoughts, so it isn’t a line of dialogue or a character cue. It isn’t a note about camera movement, which would sit in shot or direction notes, not as the scene’s heading. And it isn’t a dialogue line used to indicate transitions; slug lines aren’t spoken aloud and don’t belong to the dialogue.