The term “INT” is thrown around a lot in the world of screenwriting and film/television production. But what does INT mean in a script? We’re going to answer that question by defining the term. We’re also going to look at some examples from real-world screenplays! By the end, you’ll know what INT means and how to implement it in your own scripts.
INT EXT Screenplay Guide
First, let’s define sluglines
Before you write your dialogue, you need to first establish your setting. In scripts, you do this in sluglines. What is a slugline? A slugline is a part of a script that indicates where and when a scene takes place.
Here’s an example from the Citizen Kane screenplay:
INT. KANE'S BEDROOM - FAINT DAWN - 1940
This slugline tells us that the scene takes place inside Kane’s bedroom at “faint dawn” in 1940. You may see INT at the start of the slugline; let’s formally define what it means before looking at a few more examples.
INT DEFINITION
What Does INT Mean in a Script?
INT means interior, which communicates to production that the camera should be placed indoors for the shot/scene.
INT Meaning Scripts
How to use INT in a script
Most of the time, the action of a scene takes place in the same place as the camera’s designated location.
For example, here’s an example from The Terminator script:
INT. DEPARTMENT STORE - NIGHT
Reese finds himself among the display racks of a discount department store. A searchlight stabs in front window as he dashes into the maze of aisles. Three cops enter behind him through the shattered door.
Here, the slugline establishes that the camera should be inside the department store to follow the action.
However, sometimes, screenwriters use EXT (exterior) to indicate that the camera should be placed outside to give us an alternate perspective on action happening inside.
A great example of this can be found in Catch Me If You Can, where the camera is placed opposite of the subject, reinforcing the divide between inside and outside.
What Does INT Mean in a Script? • INT Movie Example from Catch Me If You Can
So, you can write INT for a shot looking out at a subject, or EXT for a shot looking in at a subject. It’s all about perspective and the position of the camera. It’s even better when the blocking and staging support themes of the story (like they do in Catch Me If You Can).
We imported the Back to the Future script into StudioBinder’s screenwriting software to take a closer look at a car scene that switches between INT and EXT. As you’re reading, note how writers Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale switch between INT and EXT, and think about where the camera should be positioned.
What Does INT Mean in a Script? • INT and EXT Examples from Back to the Future
The Back to the Future screenplay expertly communicates perspective to the audience. Remember: the camera is our primary point of view; narratively, we see things unfold from Marty’s point of view, but not through his eyes.
So, in simplest terms: INT means interior, juxtaposed by EXT which means exterior. Writers can employ lots of creative strategies to play with the inside-outside dichotomy in screenwriting.
Up Next
How to Write a Movie Script
Now that you know what INT means in a script, continue on with more screenwriting terms! In our next article, we’ll show you how to write a movie script, with explanations of formatting, dialogue, camera shots, and more. By the end, you’ll know everything you need to in order to write your very own movie script!
