Intercut Phone Conversation

[Them1tch]

Does anyone know how to write an intercut conversation between people speaking on the phone.
I don't mean where the screen is split but where the conversation switches between characters without having to re-write the scene headings.... have i lost you yet?
I'm using Final Draft 6 which has dual-dialogue but don't know if this is the tool to use????

Cheers..
Mitch ***

[Mods]

I don't know how others do it, but I just write it like normal dialogue, mentioning at the start that its a phone conversation, and mentioning at the end of it when it ends.

[img]smile.gif[/img]
m0ds

[deanl]

Hey there.

SNAP.

Unless there is some kind significance to cutting between them (something happening the background as they talk, or we need to see their face to see their expression, or writing something down. That kind of thing) I wouldnt bother.

If you do have to show them. Then just type it up using normal slugs.

Despin out.

[emjen]

A piece of script:

INT. A HOUSE - NIGHT

A ruggish looking girl answers the phone.

RUGGISH GIRL
Shisshaam mah nizzham...

NOTE: Now, director, it is up to you to choose how you want to film it.

B-BOY
Yoyoyo...

RUGGISH GIRL
This is?

B-BOY
Clarence. And you are?

etc

[GREATwarEAGLE]

You'd be doing yourself a favor by NOT including any kind of "Note" within the script. Ever.

What mods said is good enough. Give your readers credit. They'll know what you mean.

[Them1tch]

I've ummed and ahh'd.. think I'll do it like this

INTERCUT - INT. BOB'S CAR (ON MOTORWAY) - CONTINUOUS
INT. DORIS’ FLAT, LIVING ROOM - SAME

Don drives while using his mobile phone, Rich sits in the passenger seat and Bob remains sat unconscious in the rear.
DON
(into telephone)
Hi babe, ‘fraid I got some bad news.

DORIS (FILTERED)
Oh what now?
(beat)
I didn’t even know you had an uncle.

DON
Yeah, it was a heart attack. Last week apparently. Funeral’s tomorrow.

RICH
(in background)
Crying shame, lovely man.

DORIS
Who’s that?

Somethin like that anyways.

[SoulJacker]

Frankly, the above smells ultra-BAD.

[GREATwarEAGLE]

I forgot to mention in my earlier post, it's times like these, when beginning writers encounter unfamiliar scenarios and how to write them, is when owning a nice little library of screenplays helps. The more different the scripts are the better. They serve as excellent references.

Or, think of a film you've seen that contains a phone conversation, and look it up on the web to see if you can download it. But I wouldn't just rely on one example. Try two or three, to see how they differ and which you like best.

[Actor]

This subject is covered in Viki King's How to Write a Movie in 21 Days. You use the words "INTERCUT TELECON" on its own line, all caps and left justified. It goes either just before or just after the slug lines that establish the two locations. E.g.

INTERCUT TELECON

EXT - FRANK'S CAR - DAY

Frank dials his cell phone.

INT - VIKI'S APARTMENT - DAY

Phone rings.

VIKI
Hello.

FRANK
Hi Sweets.

VIKI
Hey! Where are you?

FRANK
Yorkshire Blvd heading south

Etc. Etc. Etc.


In theory the place where the intercut ends should be obvious. If it's not you can use "END TELECON"