Page 51 - Theatre_Arts_Form_5

Theatre Arts for Advanced Secondary Schools

(iii) Time: This component specifies the time of day when the scene occurs.
Common time descriptors include “DAY” for scenes that take place
during the day and “NIGHT” for scenes set at night. Other descriptors like
“MORNING,” “AFTERNOON,” “EVENING,” or specific times such as
2:00 PM can also be used to indicate the time of the day. Examples of
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
slug lines are as follows:

(a) EXT: BEACH: SUNSET
(b) INT: DINING ROOM: DAY

(c) EXT: NUKTA PARK: SWIMMING POOL: AFTERNOON
(d) INT. NUNA HOSPITAL. DOCTOR’S ROOM – NIGHT

There are specific principles guiding the process of writing slugline as follows:

(i) All texts should be written in capital letters for emphasis.
(ii) When introducing a place, keep it simple and short. The point of this is
just to frame the location in the reader’s mind. One can be descriptive in
the description of actions or action lines.

(iii) Include the portion of the day: One can use DAY, NIGHT, DAWN or even
MAGIC HOUR. Anything that will illustrate the time of the day. Scriptwriter
use MIDNIGHT and EARLY MORNING if the specifics are valuable to
the story. Otherwise, the screenwriter can express these in the description
of action or action line section.

Description of action or action line

Description of action or action line is an information that describes what we
see and what actions are taking place as the scene opens. It usually includes
characters to be seen and what actions they are engaged in, movements, props
they are using, costumes they are wearing and any other important details of story
that should be visible in the scene. It also provides details related to setting that
include visual or auditory elements that are essential to the scene. Description
helps in setting the scene and provides important details for the director, actors
and the entire production team. Scriptwriter can write from the colour of houses,
to the texture of floors and doors to intensity and mood of light on the subject
and the weather of the day or season. Descriptions are typically written in present
tense and are required to provide a clear and concise description of what is
happening in the scene.

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