• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Screenwriting.io

Screenwriting.io

Answering basic questions about screenwriting.

  • Answers
  • About
  • Ask
  • Index
Generic filters
Exact matches only

What is an establishing shot?

Tagged: film, formatting, screenplay, screenwriting, script, scriptwriting, structure, terms

An establishing shot establishes the setting of a scene.

When we see a shot of the sun setting behind the exterior of a building, and then we cut to the inside of that building for the scene, we have seen an establishing shot.

Establishing shots can be written into your screenplay, but they do not necessarily have to be marked as establishing shots.

For example:

EXT. VELJOHNSON HOUSE – NIGHT

Reggie’s room is perched silently above a glistening pool.

INT. REGGIE’S ROOM – CONTINUOUS

The FBI agents stealthily dig through his closet, careful to leave no trace of their presence.

Dialogue spoken over an establishing shot leading into the scene is called a “pre-lap,” and should be indicated as such.

More from johnaugust.com

  • Pre-lap
  • Movies look nothing like reality
  • Talking over a black screen

Answer Index

script scriptwriting screenwriting screenplay formatting terms film presentation structure business writing software TV WGA Final Draft guild characters length credits FDX FDR union scene headings dramatic theory outlines arbitration adaptations fountain pdf highland producers managers Celtx guru Movie Magic rights agents awards pitching short film festival iPhone iPad directors prelap

Primary Sidebar

Switching from Final Draft to Highland 2

Switching from Final Draft
to Highland 2 – Get the PDF

© 2025 Screenwriting.io — All Rights Reserved.

  • Answers
  • About
  • Ask
  • Index