Couple of newbie screenwriting questions...

iMarco

iMarco

Member
1) When you want to write the dialog for a character talking on the phone, what exactly do you use? (V.O.), (O.S.) All you hear is the distorted kind voice but no character.

2) I was reading a Tarantino script and when there's a voice in the middle of a black screen, he writes BLACK FRAME and then the voiceover dialog(s). Is that the correct term when writing about a black screen?

3) One last question, I never introduce the name of a character until the name is mentioned. How does that work with a group of unknown characters? For example, extra number two walks up and picks up a sheet of paper. Extra number three sneezes and so on. Is there a better way to describe and name a group of unknown supporting cast?

Thanks!
 
Don't take me as a respected authority on the topic, but here goes:

1. I put (FROM PHONE) or (ON PHONE) or even just (PHONE).

2. As long as it gets the message across, it's the correct term. Some people, I think, use OVER BLACK, or BLANK SCREEN.

3. Why don't you introduce the names when you first start mention a character? It's much easier to read and understand. If you're trying to keep someone's identity a secret from the audience, it's still OK to put the name in. Readers should be smart enough to understand, and an audience in the seats for the movie won't have the script in front of them.

I realize number 3 might not make sense right now, forgive me, I just got back from Orlando this morning from a 14 hour shoot yesterday at Kennedy Space Center. If you have any questions, lemme know.
 
Thanks for the quick response, number three did make a little bit of sense hehe. So in other words, if i start using a character in the screenplay, I can start mentioning his name even if his name was not mentioned by anybody or anything in the script?
 
Yeah I always thought it was easier for the reader too. Some screenwriter told me that wasn't correct though, since the screenplay needs to feel like if you were actually watching it, if Johnny Depp's character wasn't mentioned before, how would we know his character's name?

Makes sense but I always thought it makes the reading experience a little more complicated for some readers. Thanks a lot for your help.
 
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