Ok, hypothetically, if my script is set to occur in, say, the UK, how do i specifiy this without having to, over and over, write headings like "EXT. London Street"? Or should I just have some estabishing shots of London and that's it?

Thanks for any help

A couple of establishing shots are good enough.  The first header can also mention London.


Phil

It depends on how much the audience is supposed to know about the location. Establishing shots are your best bet on showing London. Subtitles work if you don't want wide shots of the skyline. If you want to keep the location a secret, just describe whatever the audience will see on screen and dropping by Big Ben would be a bit of a reveal to show where we are. There are lots of ways to do it, and it all depends on what you have to work with and what you want the audience to see.

Download and have a read of:

Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels

By Guy Ritchie

shooting Draft 1988

He doesn't mention London at all in his screenplay but you get the idea he's talking about England when his characters talk about "Southern Shites" and "Northern Monkeys"..

Very funny script this, particularly the scam idea about dilldos..

You can download this script from regular screenplay sites on the web if you look..

I actually own a copy of the script.  I'm a Guy Ritchie fanboy.  True, he doesnt specifically mention London at any point, but he's from there and would be making it there.  Oh well.  I've kind of found out what I'm going to do - thanks for everyones help.

Okay, here is another question: If you are setting the scene inside a car outside, would you write "INT. CAR" or "EXT. HIGHWAY" and explain that the are in a car?

Thanks.  INT. CAR it is.

Some enterprising individuals also use I/E CAR to say they could be in or out of the car. I find the specific location to be more...well...specific. I figure you're either inside or outside in most cases, and rarely both in one shot. Sure, it happens, but I would think the INT or EXT would be the norm.