Is your scene taking 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 :

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.

William Robert Rich
William Robert Rich

William Robert Rich is a story analyst, screenwriter, and co-author of Story Maps: The Films of Christopher Nolan. He's currently based in Austin, Texas.

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