MY FRIEND, ESTHER LUTTRELL

Imagine my surprise when my friend -- who works in screenwriting, production, and many others sectors of the craft and profession -- shared this bit of information concerning scene headings (sluglines) --

INT. JOHNSON HOUSE - LORI'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

A Slug Line gives information to 4 members of the production team: The lst Assistant Director, the Location Manager, the Set Decorator, and the Lighting Technician. In truth, it gives information to a multitude of crew members, but if you'll just remember the significance to these four key positions, you will never again write an incorrect Slug Line.

lst Assistant Director looks at the first piece of information in your Slug Line to see if this scene is to be shot INT. (interior) or EXT. (exterior). The lst A.D. does the scheduling.

The Location Manager looks at the second piece of information to determine what site must be secured for this scene.

The Set Decorator looks at the third piece of information to determine what room or area must be decorated ("dressed") by the time the crew arrives for filming.

The Lighting Technician looks at the last piece of information to know whether to set the scene for Day for for Night.

If you are among the, maybe majority, of screenwriters misled to the idea that a slugline is to give the reader -- the one that stands between you and Hollywood -- a vision as to where the scene is taking place, then you're only half misled, but still picking your jaw up off the floor.

Esther Luttrell is an accomplished screenwriter, director, producer, speaker, and author. She has worked for MGM and has a professional resume' that would make any scribe's mouth water. If you have ever watched T.V. or film, her name has crossed your line of sight.

What I most appreciate about Esther is her practical teaching methods and candid, yet sweet, way to deliver constructive criticism. After all, if you are paying someone for a read, coaching, advice, etc., you want them to tell the truth, not sugarcoat it.

I've spent a lot of time scouring the web for screenwriting info and writing -- in fact, it is my full time, unpaid job. In all of my online searches I could still not get to the true root of the slugline and Esther set me straight.

If your time is money and you want your script and skills to reach maximum potential, I'm more than proud to refer you to Esther Luttrell.

Learn more at her websites at the following link:

http://www.estherluttrell.net/home.html