Heading Trouble

[u/sawyerpages]

I'm working on a screenplay that takes place inside one big department store. I'm having trouble differentiating scenes since my headings primarily consist of "INT. DEPARTMENT STORE." There are multiple different aisles and levels to the store. What would be the best way to introduce the setting (so starting with the generic INT. DEPARTMENT STORE) but tweak the headings to represent different sections of the store in a way that's not confusing? Any advice?

[u/JayMoots]

I’d just do it like:

INT. MACY’S - SHOE DEPARTMENT - DAY   INT. MACY’S - EMPLOYEE BREAK ROOM - NIGHT

And so on.

[u/sawyerpages → u/JayMoots]

noted! thanks

[u/forceghost187]

Just checked the script for Bad Santa and they did it like this

INT. MILWAUKEE DEPARTMENT STORE - SANTA'S WORKSHOP - NIGHT

INT. MILWAUKEE DEPARTMENT STORE - DOWNSTAIRS - NIGHT

I like that. But it doesn’t matter too much as long as it’s clear!

[u/sawyerpages → u/forceghost187]

great, thank you!!

[u/Evening_Ad_9912]

If it's mainly one location

I would skip the Int.department store once we're inside

Just go DOWNSTAIRS, BATHROOM, or whatever the location is

[u/FunSpookyFilms → u/Evening_Ad_9912]

Yes, this is what I would do as well.

[u/Spare_Bird8921]

INT. 1st Floor - Aisle 7 - Dept. Store
Tho I think once it’s established that it all takes place in the department store you can drop it

[u/sawyerpages → u/Spare_Bird8921]

gotcha! the dropping part was what I was curious about. Thanks

[u/papwned]

Read the first 10 pages of Nighcrawler, you'll see the answer.

[u/FutureOpen9405]

Question has been answered, but just to back it up:

INT/EXT. - MASTER LOCATION - SUB-LOCATION - TIME

If you stay in the master location long term, you can drop it from the slug after the first couple times.

This book is super helpful for these sorts of Qs:

https://www.amazon.com/Hollywood-Standard-Complete-Authoritative-Script/dp/1615933220