Hi! As I am currently writing my screenplay on StudioBinder, I have a few doubts on how to use a mini slugline, music cue, and FLASHBACK.
For mini slugline, let's say for example the scene heading takes place at a nightclub during night time but some scenes will also take place in the nightclub's bathroom and at the nightclub's entrance as well. Should I write it like this?
INT. NIGHTCLUB- NIGHT
INT. NIGHTCLUB BATHROOM- NIGHT
or
INT. NIGHTCLUB- NIGHT
BATHROOM
Even if the character themselves isn't walking to different areas of the nightclub, would I need to use a mini or major slug for each room?
With music playing in the background should I use a music cue format or use the music that is playing in the background like an action?
Music Cue: "Stupid Girl" by Pink
or
A bunch of people are dancing the night away to Pink's "Stupid Girl"
I will be starting off my script with a FLASHBACK. The first five pages takes place at that same nightclub on that same night. Would it be like this?
INT. NIGHTCLUB- NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
INT. NIGHTCLUB RESTROOM- NIGHT (FLASHBACK CONT'D) or BATHROOM (CONT'D) (by using it in a mini slug?)
or
There is no need to write "(FLASHBACK CONT'D) until the actual FLASHBACK is over and write "END FLASHBACK", right?
Last but not least, for those of you who happen to use Studio Binder for writing your script, do you know if you can export your script from there and turn it into a Final Draft file?
Thank you!
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Hi Ken, with regard to formatting your sluglines tell your production where to shoot. So you want a slugline for each location you want the audience to see.
For different locations within one building I’d write:
INT. NIGHTCLUB - RESTROOM - NIGHT
INT. NIGHTCLUB - ENTRANCE AREA - NIGHT
There are a few ways to write it, just be consistent. I recommend checking out Ela Thier‘s screenplay format crash course, free on YouTube. It’s great for quick tips.
If your goals is to sell your script, I’ve been advised to be careful with music cues since you may not get the rights to particular songs. You may want to just describe the genre of music, or say “a song in the vein of Pink’s ‘Stupid Girl’”.
Also, read screenplays that involve flashbacks. If your story begins in the past you may want to think about whether it’s an actual flashback, or just a flash forward 5 pages later.
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Your first q, use the second example. Your second q is correct (just EMD FLASHBACK. Your third q, download it as a PDF then upload that PDF to final draft. Cheers! These things are always changing. David Trottier (screenwriter’s bible) has a website where he takes A’s and leaves examples