How to format your screenplay for a telephone dialogue.

How do you put a telephone conversation in your screenplay. How do you format it. I know that are different way's to make it clear in a screenplay.

Can somebody close this topic. I've found the a large topic on page 12....sorry....lock it please.

Holy crap, Roz, when you ask questions like this, it's a sign that you absolutely must get yourself some reference books, as has been suggested previously. And/or, read produced scripts with telephone conversations!

Basic phone conversation, one person talking:
Two people talking but we don't see the other person, note use of V.O. (voice over):
Two people talking, we see both parties:
Hope it helps. Anyone should feel free to jump in and correct the error of my ways, I am not a professional screenwriter.

Edited to add:
OK, you found it, and you have a book, ignore me.

-Derek
My Web Page - naked women, bestial sex, and whopping big lies.

We can have much more interesting phone conversations now that we have cell phones and people can be shopping, walking through crowded subways, or watching two camels humping at the zoo while they talk on the phone.

However I consider phone conversations even more boring than tea drinking scenes in the kitchen and try to avoid them.

WA, points taken. On the positive side, they're useful for summoning help and suchlike which kicks off subsequent action. Or for making anonymous and frightening threats which ups tension. Like 'em or not, the fact they exist everywhere (as you point out) means we can't just ignore them, so we're probably talking judicious and practical use thereof. If you can avoid a phone conversation, avoid it -- "live" action between characters is always more interesting. Which is probably exactly what you're saying.

Wouldn't it be nice if I could stop procrastinating and get some writing done today...

-Derek
My Web Page - naked women, bestial sex, and whopping big lies.

well, since this thread is still up and i'm procrastinating too....

last 2 phone flicks: PhoneBooth - they were removing the last payphone in NYC the next day and then there was that thriller with the cellphone that came out a couple of months ago where the woman was kidnapped and called some dude who just wanted to go surfing or something :lol

ok - as you were.

Nikee, it can be done.

In fact I saw a few minutes of a movie at a friend's house I want to check out. It has (I think) Danny Devito stuck in traffic within sight of his office trying to talk a bunch of people who are waiting in the office for him into buying some concept. He is trying to pitch it to them over the phone.

Derek pretty much summed up what I meant.

I guess the flip side is that more and better use can be made of cell phones in movies.

Fade to Black:

PERSON (O.S.)

Hello? Hello? Who is this?

Yes, I know I'm the person who called you and I should know who I'm calling.

You see, I just pushed a button on my cell phone with my chin. You are on my quick dial, I just don't know which one.

Yes, Yes, this is Jungle Jim.

I know you are busy but this giant anaconda just swallowed me whole and I can't reach my cell phone with my hands to dial anyone else right now.

Where am I? I just told you, I'm in the belly of this big snake out here in the middle of the jungle.

Land mark? I'm inside the belly of a snake. How am I supposed to see the nearest landmark?

Okay, I'm sorry I got upset. I just need somebody to run over and cut me out of this snake see...

I'm really sorry you have a fear of snakes.

Yes, I do know what it is like to have a phobia. I think I'm developing claustrophobia.

NO! I cannot hold while you call you therapist.

Hello?

Hello?

Fade out.

Ive used the intercut in mine. I prefer to see the people and their reactions.

However, I have some problems with radio headsets. Some of my characters are agents and I could use advice on conversations via headsets. Similiar principle I guess.