O.C. and O.S. --Which one is used when?

[Plot Device]

And why?

[similan]

I never knew there are more to it until I read this (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1617090&postcount=4)

[dpaterso]

Off Screen and Off Camera mean the same thing. From what I've read over the years I get the impression that O.S. is for feature scripts and O.C. is for TV scripts, but no one gets fanatic about it.

-Derek

[DanielD]

Dpats info has sent a shiver up my spine, regarding ( OS) for features and (OC) for TV scripts.
Hey! I didn't know about that.
So with chattering teeth, and a voice in my subconcience whispering " Hey buddy! It's about time you updated your information source".
I'll nervously offer some info from a Screenwriting glossary I sometimes refer to, from time to time.

Going by the definitions I have on a printout glossary of Screenwriting definitions here,
O.C. Denoting that the speaker is resident in the scene but not seen by the camera.
O.S. Denoting that the speaker is not resident in the scene.
Hope that helps.
Daniel.

[Plot Device]

similan -- I saw that post yesterday, which is what prompted me to start this thread. Thank you for citing it.

dpat -- I have heard that before from some writers .... BUT ....

Daniel -- I have likewise heard THAT from OTHER writers. Specifically, that OS is pretty much the same as "Off Stage" in a stage play.









Anyway .... I am STILL confused.

[dpaterso]

Confused how?

Here's the setup: I'm in the bedroom. You're next door in the bathroom, unseen.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

Derek lies seductively on the bed in his hot pink silk pajamas.

DEREK
You all right in there?

PLOT DEVICE (O.S.)
Yeah.

...That's Off Screen dialogue -- you're on the set, but not seen by the camera when you speak.

If you're not on the set, if for example the phone rings and I pick up and it's you talking from another location, that would be PLOT DEVICE (V.O.) instead. Because your voice would probably be recorded and dubbed onto the soundtrack, especially if there's any distortion.

-Derek

[Plot Device]

I thought Voice-Over was a tool for narration that addresses the audience directly.

NARRATOR (V.O.)
It was a dark and stormy night.



Or else for when a character is silently reading a letter or a diary or a note written by a totally different character, and we hear the voice of that totally different character reciting the content of the written material:

A curious Derek picks up the note from the kitchen table. He reads silently.

PLOT DEVICE (V.O.)
Dear Derek. I'm leaving.





Or else for a character who is narrating a flashback.

(too lazy to do a flashback at the moment)



In other words, I assumed a V.O. is like a voice completely detached from the scene itself and so this voice is more for the audience to hear. And so the characters ON THE SCREEN AT THAT MOMENT do not hear the V.O. voice at all.

In the case of a flashback being narrated, that qualifies under my definition because the screen is showing some past event and the characters on the screen during that past event do not hear the voice of the present-day character who is telling us about the flashback.

[dpaterso]

Well, yes, Voice Over is also used for narration, since narration is also recorded and dubbed onto the soundtrack. Same character extension, different uses.

INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Derek lies on the bed, blah blah.

A KNOCK at the door.

DEREK
Who is it?

PLOT DEVICE (O.S.)
It's me.

DEREK
Go away!

More KNOCKING. Derek ignores it. The phone RINGS. Derek sighs and picks up.

DEREK
Hello?

PLOT DEVICE (V.O.)
Open the door or I'll shoot the lock.

Derek hangs up, goes to the door.

DEREK
I bet you don't even have a gun!

BLAM! Terrified, Derek stumbles back and falls onto the bed.

The door swings open, Plot Device enters, smoking gun in one hand, cell phone in the other.

PLOT DEVICE
You'd lose that bet.

PLOT DEVICE (V.O.)
There was a lot this guy didn't
know about me. Tonight was
going to be a real eye-opener.

-Derek

[DanielD]

Hey! Plot and Dpat.
Come on!.... keep going.
Mmmmm..... I'm intrigued.

And thennnnnn........ ?

Daniel.

[Plot Device]

PLOT DEVICE
(seething between her teeth
So ... you THOUGHT it was okay to inter-change the term "voice-over" and "off-screen," eh? What kind of fool do you take me for?

DEREK
Please, Plot! I didn't realize it meant so much to you!

PLOT DEVICE
(shrieking)
IT MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME! DO YOU THINK I START THESE THREADS FOR MY HEALTH?

DEREK
(in tears)
I was just kidding!

PLOT DEVICE
NOBODY'S LAUGHING!

[DanielD]

And that's a wrap....Ok take five everybody...
Wow! ....rivetting performances all round there...

Okay, Gotta go OS for a while, back soon.
Mmmmm.....or was that OC ?
Oooppssss.....here we go again....
Bye for now....
OC/OS The sound of pattering feet, followed by a door slamming .....
Filtered through the wall.
DANIEL
Nooooooooo!


Take care .
Daniel.