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O.C. or V.O.?

Printed From: NYC Midnight : Creative Writing & Screenwriting
Category: GENERAL DISCUSSION
Forum Name: Screenwriting Bar & Lounge
Forum Description: Discuss NYC Midnight Screenwriting Competitions or Screenwriting in general.
URL: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=20992
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Topic: O.C. or V.O.?
Posted By: jdadams1
Subject: O.C. or V.O.?
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2019 at 3:59am
OK, I keep Googling this, and I can't find answers to these specific questions.

I have a couple of instances in my screenplay that need a (V.O.) or an (O.C.), but I'm not sure which! Can anyone help?

1) An electronic device that does not have a face is in the scene and emits a voice. Sort of like an Amazon Alexa (but not actually an Alexa). I assume this is not (O.C.). Would it be (V.O.)? Or since we can actually see the device, would it not need anything like that?

2) On screen, we see a ship docking at a port. I want to have the audience hear what the captain is saying to his crew as the ship docks without actually going inside the ship. The captain would not be speaking over a microphone or anything. Basically, we are seeing the outside of the ship but hearing a conversation inside the ship. Would this be (O.C.) or (V.O.)?

Thanks so much!!!


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RS Final: https://bit.ly/496nriC" rel="nofollow - Waves by the Sea
SS 1: https://bit.ly/48L11Dj" rel="nofollow - I Am a Murderess. But I Am Also a Panda.



Replies:
Posted By: Suave
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2019 at 4:14am
For # 1 there I had a phone sitting on a table in the same room and used (VO)
For # 2  I would go with (OS) as you are not in the same shot.

But!  I am not an expert!


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Posted By: beckyrcollins
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2019 at 4:49am
Yep, go with Suave. 

O.S. is when the person speaking is in the scene but we can't see them, so like you said, we cut away to another visual or they're yelling from another room etc. Critically -- they need to be scheduled for filming that day but for this particular bit, they're not on camera.

V.O. is when the speaker really isn't in the room, isn't on set, isn't scheduled to film that day etc. So Alexa, speaker phones, all that goodness.

If someone thinks otherwise or can add to this, please speak up! I wanna learn haha


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Posted By: cheezopath
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2019 at 4:53am
OS if they could be in shot but arent

VO otherwise

radio is VO, alexa is VO, narrator is VO

OS is if someone is calling at you from the en suite bathroom and you're in the bedroom


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Posted By: OnyxLily
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2019 at 7:30am
I think everyone has covered it, but this is the "official" word, if that helps

http://www.nycmidnight.com/howtowriteascreenplay.htm#VoiceoverOffscreen" rel="nofollow - http://www.nycmidnight.com/howtowriteascreenplay.htm#VoiceoverOffscreen


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Posted By: jdadams1
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2019 at 6:54pm
Thanks, all. Much appreciated!

-------------
RS Final: https://bit.ly/496nriC" rel="nofollow - Waves by the Sea
SS 1: https://bit.ly/48L11Dj" rel="nofollow - I Am a Murderess. But I Am Also a Panda.


Posted By: weebil
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2019 at 7:06pm
Hmm, I too have an 'Alexa' problem. I went with giving her her own voice when in the same room, and 'off screen' when, uh, not.
I think of VO as a narrator.


Posted By: jdadams1
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2019 at 7:14pm
I'm gonna make this "over easy" and say:

If it's something that an actor could presumably record the day the scene is filmed, but just standing off-camera, it's O.C.

If it would likely require an actor to come back in for voice-over work, it's V.O.

So, basically, exactly what the names say; off-camera = O.C.; voice-over = V.O.

I'm sure there are some corner cases, but if the above is generally right, I can wrap my head around it. 


-------------
RS Final: https://bit.ly/496nriC" rel="nofollow - Waves by the Sea
SS 1: https://bit.ly/48L11Dj" rel="nofollow - I Am a Murderess. But I Am Also a Panda.


Posted By: steph9289
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2019 at 7:27pm
And if it's an electronic device such as Alexa, do we have to use V.O. every time the character speaks?

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#amrevising


Posted By: jdadams1
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2019 at 7:50pm
Originally posted by steph9289 steph9289 wrote:

And if it's an electronic device such as Alexa, do we have to use V.O. every time the character speaks?

I am going to hazard a "yes" (even though, as the person who started this thread, I am clearly not "in the know").

But, when I see (V.O.) or (O.S.) used, they are used continuously for that character in that situation, not just on first reference. 


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RS Final: https://bit.ly/496nriC" rel="nofollow - Waves by the Sea
SS 1: https://bit.ly/48L11Dj" rel="nofollow - I Am a Murderess. But I Am Also a Panda.


Posted By: Random
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2019 at 8:08pm
Originally posted by cheezopath cheezopath wrote:

OS if they could be in shot but arent

VO otherwise

radio is VO, alexa is VO, narrator is VO

OS is if someone is calling at you from the en suite bathroom and you're in the bedroom


I'm sticking with this.  They're on the phone, therefore V.O.

I didn't even put that in until I saw this thread and realized I needed it.  SUCH a screenplay newb...

Chezo, you said this was your last screenplay comp, I hope you stick around to help the rest of us out.  Your advice has always been invaluable.


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Posted By: cheezopath
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2019 at 3:28am
Thanks, I appreciate that! I do feel like there should be a one stop shop for these formatting questions, I always feel like I need to have ten totally different sites open


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Posted By: beckyrcollins
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2019 at 4:44am
Originally posted by cheezopath cheezopath wrote:

I do feel like there should be a one stop shop for these formatting questions, I always feel like I need to have ten totally different sites open

John August does god's work in that regard. 

https://screenwriting.io/" rel="nofollow - https://screenwriting.io/  -- screenwriting Q&As
https://johnaugust.com/" rel="nofollow - https://johnaugust.com/  -- podcasts (everyone should listen to these, even if you're not a screenwriter! So so insightful on story creation)


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Posted By: beckyrcollins
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2019 at 4:46am
Originally posted by jdadams1 jdadams1 wrote:

I'm gonna make this "over easy" and say:

If it's something that an actor could presumably record the day the scene is filmed, but just standing off-camera, it's O.C.

If it would likely require an actor to come back in for voice-over work, it's V.O.

So, basically, exactly what the names say; off-camera = O.C.; voice-over = V.O.

I'm sure there are some corner cases, but if the above is generally right, I can wrap my head around it. 

That's how I keep sane! (ish) hahaha


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https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic48945_post516498.html#516498" rel="nofollow - SSC1: Eye For Detail (Thriller)


Posted By: NilesPerry
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2019 at 12:30am
Originally posted by jdadams1 jdadams1 wrote:

OK, I keep Googling this, and I can't find answers to these specific questions.

I have a couple of instances in my screenplay that need a (V.O.) or an (O.C.), but I'm not sure which! Can anyone help?

1) An electronic device that does not have a face is in the scene and emits a voice. Sort of like an Amazon Alexa (but not actually an Alexa). I assume this is not (O.C.). Would it be (V.O.)? Or since we can actually see the device, would it not need anything like that?

2) On screen, we see a ship docking at a port. I want to have the audience hear what the captain is saying to his crew as the ship docks without actually going inside the ship. The captain would not be speaking over a microphone or anything. Basically, we are seeing the outside of the ship but hearing a conversation inside the ship. Would this be (O.C.) or (V.O.)?

Thanks so much!!!
A little late now, but for future reference:

O.C. (off camera) and O.S. (off screen) are basically the same thing. I use O.S., but see that others still use O.C. Both refer to someone in the same locale or room saying something, while the camera is on something or someone else. A shift in camera positioning would reveal them in the scene. Can also be used for persons outside the present location... like voices from outside, while the scene takes place in an indoor location.

V.O. (voiceover) would be more like a Narrator. The character is not in the scene, but we hear their voice. Think of a TV screen with a news broadcast. We see things as an unseen newscaster reports the news. The same is true of a voice coming over the telephone. Until you actually show that person, they are just a V.O.

I hope this helps.


Posted By: jdadams1
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2019 at 12:33am
Thanks, all!

-------------
RS Final: https://bit.ly/496nriC" rel="nofollow - Waves by the Sea
SS 1: https://bit.ly/48L11Dj" rel="nofollow - I Am a Murderess. But I Am Also a Panda.



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