Hello,
I am writing a script which mostly takes place through a phone conversation. I would like the audience to see each person talking when its their line rather than just hearing one of them on the other end of the phone.
My question is this.
When writing the script, how do i show that each line of dialogue should show the person saying it. ie.
INT - ROOM - DAY
Mary sits there playing with her hair and she looks unhappy.
MARY
What do you want?
DAN
Just to talk.
MARY
What about Dan.
If i write it this way it seems more natral but it doesnt indicate that each line should show the person saying their lines.
The other way would be as follows:
INT - ROOM - DAY
Mary sits there playing with her hair and she looks unhappy.
MARY
What do you want?
INT - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Dan is laying on his sofa and he looks as though he has been crying.
DAN
Just to talk.
Writing it this would take ages and seem rather disjointed.
Any thoughts are most welcome. I hope this makes sense by the way.
You can direct in your script if you wish, theres nothing wrong with doing it, but chances are when if it gets used the director wont follow your directions. You dont have to indicate to film the person speaking, its a given that when someone talks they will be on screen. Just direct only when its pertinent to your story.
As for form, if theres only two people talking establish the fact, and then just write the dialogue. Anyone with half a wit can understand the flow of conversation and whose saying what.
There are two different answers:
ONE - If you are writing the script to sell, then how you want it
shot doesn't matter. You're the writer - just tell the story. Other
people will decide how the scene will be shot.
TWO - If you will be directing the script either way is fine. You
will probably remember how you wanted it shot when you are on
set, so the first way is fine.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
Thank you both.
An example, from the screenplay for the baseball comedy MAJOR LEAGUE:
Taylor's hand fumbles to the RINGING telephone.
TAYLOR
Yeh.
It's Charlie Donovan calling from his office in Cleveland. We CUT BACK AND FORTH between the two as we will in subsequent phone scenes.
DONOVAN
Hello, Jake? This is Charlie Donovan,
new G.M. of the Cleveland Indians.
TAYLOR
(skeptical)
Yeh...
RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA
RJSchwarz
