Writing a scene in an interrogation room where a conversation between two people is being played on a digital recorder. Both characters speaking have already been introduced earlier in the script. Neither is physically in the scene. Stumped on the proper formatting.
Do I simply start a dialogue for each character with (from recorder) next to the character name, or???
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ON A SCREEN
So close it has no boundries.
Both characters blah blah.
Thanks guys. Was having one of those brain-fart moments where I'm surprised I remember to breathe :)
Parenthetical.
CHARACTER 1
(through recorder)
Blah blah blah.
CHARACTER 2
(through recorder)
Yadda yadda yadda.
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I'm stumped at the purpose, if there's no characters & no action. I'm supposed to spend (waste) valuable screen time watching a tape recorder spin - no characters, no thanx.
They managed to make it work in Hannibal with the roller pigeon recording. Might be worth studying.
Doug - a recording played by an FBI agent for a treason suspect, who's being interrogated, of his spouse setting him up to take the fall. But I'm kind of liking Thomas' take on the whole thing! Especially since I already decided to cut the scene.
Thomas, your film or his? Just my POV - no action, no character, no scene.
CJ, I only recall that scene only vaguely. It was a transitional scene used for some exposition and a 'pause' between two high dramatic scenes. I'd have to watch it again.
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Dirk, so there are only two characters physically in the room - the FBI agent and the suspect? And the FBI agent is playing an audio recording of the suspect's spouse and someone who is questioning her? I would probably do something with a (V.O.) but I could be wrong. Something like (excuse the spacing):
FBI Agent presses play on the recording.
SPOUSE (V.O.)
So my husband is a killer.
AGENT (V.O.)
How do you know that?
If it's a close up of the screen you would use "CLOSE ON" and next line, next to "Character 1" you could indicate that they are not in the room by "O.C." (OFF CAMERA). So "CHARACTER ! (O.C.)" but you can check here: https://www.amazon.com/Hollywood-Standard-Complete-Authoritative-Script/dp/1615933220/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14KWSM5XJPSAB&dchild=1&keywords=the+hollywood+standard&qid=1624806596&sprefix=the+hollywood%2Caps%2C431&sr=8-1