I'm writing a telephone conversation between two characters. I want to see each of them while they're conversing. Do I need to repeat a new scene heading for each speech?
Screenwriting : Screenplay format by Dennis Regan
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It sounds like you're looking to do a split screen. Establish the first location, then the second. Then use INTERCUT.
INT. PHONEBOOTH - Day
PHONE RINGS.
John picks up handset.
JOHN
Hello?
INT. BEDROOM - Day
Craig sits on the edge of the bed, feet dangle. A small child tied up in the corner squirms.
DIMEBAG CRAIG
Did you go to the bank?
INTERCUT - Phone conversation.
JOHN
I need more time to raise the money.
DIMEBAG looks back at the kid.
DIMEBAG
Too bad.
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A Split Screen is a special effect that minimally bisects the screen in two, or more, images that occupy one screen. It's unrelated to an Intercut that was well laid out. A Split can also be used in lieu of an Intercut.
Split Screen:
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Use INTERCUT.
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You could establish where each character is prior to the intercut , ie -
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
An anxious John sits on the edge of the bed, phone at his ear.
JOHN
When will they get here?
INT. NIGHTCLUB OFFICE - NIGHT
On the other end of the call, Pedro sits back in his chair, feet on the desk.
PEDRO
Chill, Johnny, chill.
INTERCUT - CALL BETWEEN JOHN AND PEDRO
Noqw juast have their dialogue.
3 people like this
Pure split screen is an option and more of what Dennis Regan was looking to do. It does come off as little retro since it was made popular by Brian De Palma the 60's and 70's. It is still used in modern movies, but often with a 70's stylistic look and feel.
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Thanks all. The split screen does feel a little throwback-ish. But then if their lines are short going back and forth using INTERCUT might get a little tedious. I have these two options now to play with. Thanks again.
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Ronnie makes a strong suggestion and the actual execution and edit style can be figured out by the director (or you, if you're directing). Make sure to note when they hang up and the intercutting stops so the crew and editors can follow along easily.
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Dennis Regan is the intent to see both sides on the screen at the same time while they talk? Or to bounce back and forth?
If same time, you want a split screen. Tell us it's a split screen between them and we'll know both are on screen at same time.
If back-and-forth, you want to do an INTERCUT. Just set up the first person's locale, then the 2nd person's, then just tell us you're INTERCUTTING between the two and we'll know we're bouncing back and forth as needed.
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I was introduced to another format that I like.
After establishing the locations
I just add
INTERCUT AS NEEDED
the director will use what he sees fit
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A lot of great advice here. The one thing I'd add is that phone calls can typically run a tad boring visually, because they are fairly static situations. A good trick is to give your characters something to do while they're on the phone. So they're not just standing/sitting around talking. Think about what you do in your daily life when you're on the phone. A lot of times for me, I'll be trying to fit in a call while multitasking -- doing dishes, writing somethings, dilly dallying about the house. Never forget that this is a visual medium so try to spice up your phone call scenes by adding a visual component to what the characters are doing in the scene. Give the actors something to act out, no matter how small, meaningless the action is. This can give those static phone call scenes a tad more dynamism
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Great advice--for the most part. Unless it is very dramatic, and you want to hyper--focus on the characters and focus on the facial expressions for example. Also, the "thing" that the character is doing while talking on the phone should show something about the character's life.