Does your scene take place during the day or night?
The go-to terns are DAY and NIGHT. I recommend you stay with these, but if you’re feeling a bit rebellious, you can color your script with these:
- MAGIC HOUR
- SUNSET
- SUNRISE
- DUSK
Below, I will find some additional uses outside of DAY and NIGHT.
From Road to Perdition by David Self:
INT. SULLIVAN HOUSE – KITCHEN – MORNING
Sullivan family at breakfast. Sullivan is finishing his coffee, and putting on his jacket.
From Sling Blade by Billy Bob Thornton:
EXT. WOODED AREA – LATE AFTERNOON
Karl and Frank sit on stumps in a little clearing enjoying the spoils of their Ben’s Dollar Store visit.
From The Ghost Writer by Robert Harris and Roman Polanski:
INT. LONDON BOOKSTORE – EVENING
The GHOST re-enters the party, carrying the manuscript. RUTH is on a small platform, holding a microphone. Behind her is a huge photograph of her husband.
So is it nite or night?
I’d use night.