To indicate a change in location within a scene while maintaining the same overall scene, you can
use a few different formatting techniques. Here are the most effective methods:
## 1. Use a New Scene Heading
When the action shifts to a different location, you typically create a new scene heading. For
example:
```
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Joe looks around for his coffee mug.
INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Joe finds the mug on the coffee table.
```
In this case, "CONTINUOUS" indicates that the action is happening without a significant time lapse.
## 2. Shortened Location References
If the scene is flowing between rooms in a single location, you can establish the main scene with a
full heading and then refer to subsequent locations in all caps without additional headings:
```
INT. BECKY'S HOUSE - DAY
Becky darts between the KITCHEN and the LIVING ROOM.
```
## 3. Use of Parentheticals
For minor shifts within the same location, you can use parentheticals to indicate the change:
```
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Becky grabs a plate.
(TO LIVING ROOM)
She walks into the living room, still holding the plate.
```
## 4. Indicating Movement with Descriptive Action
You can also describe the movement in the action lines without changing the scene heading if the
transition is fluid and doesn't require a break:
```
INT. HOUSE - DAY
Becky moves from the kitchen to the living room, grabbing a plate as she goes.
```
## 5. Transitions
For quick cuts between locations, you might use transitional phrases like "CUT TO:" or "BACK TO:" to
signal a change:
```
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
Becky prepares dinner.
CUT TO:
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
She sets the table.
```
Each of these methods serves to clarify the movement between locations while maintaining the flow
of the narrative. Choose the one that best fits the pacing and style of your screenplay.
Citations:
[1]
https://www.reddit.com/r/Screenwriting/comments/bxul29/how_do_you_write_transitions_to_loc
ation_from/
[2] https://www.nycmidnight.com/blog/setting-the-scene
[3] http://www.scriptologist.com/Magazine/Formatting/Scene/scene.html
[4] https://www.storysense.com/format/headings.htm
[5] https://www.screenplaysubmit.com/how-to-write-a-scene-with-multiple-locations-examples/
