slugline
Scene location identifier
A slugline is a short identifying line at the top of a document or section.
In screenwriting, it marks scene headings—typically showing location and time of day: INT. COFFEE SHOP - NIGHT.
In journalism, it's an internal label identifying a story as it moves through editing: The editor asked which slugline the photo belonged to.
The term suggests something brief enough to slug into place.
Screenplay written without contract
- screenplayFilm's written blueprint
- formatArrangement and presentation style
- transitionChange from one state
- fade inGradual visual appearance
cut to · location · time of day · shooting script · Final Draft · script supervisor · continuous · later
News story opening
- kickerOne who boots balls
- news storyMedia report of events
- wire serviceOrganization distributing news widely
- AP styleJournalistic writing conventions
Reuters · dispatch · bulletin · press release · filing · breaking news · masthead · subhead
spec script
Screenplay written without contract
- screenplayFilm's written blueprint
- formatArrangement and presentation style
- transitionChange from one state
fade in · cut to · location · time of day · shooting script · Final Draft · script supervisor · continuous · later · morning
lede
News story opening
- kickerOne who boots balls
- news storyMedia report of events
- wire serviceOrganization distributing news widely
AP style · Reuters · dispatch · bulletin · press release · filing · breaking news · masthead · subhead · inverted pyramid
sluglinedialogue
Spoken exchange between parties
action lines · body text · voice-over · parentheticals · narrative prose
slug, line, slugs, lines, slugging, slugged, slugger, lined, lining