I’m curious about your format for writing a one-sided phone conversation.
I’ve seen it done in so many different ways now, that I have no idea if there is a more uniform way of doing it, or a preferred way.
I’ve seen…
KEVIN
(on phone)
I know it’s your birthday…I can’t make it…Look, that’s not my problem.
or…
KEVIN
(on phone)
I know it’s your birthday…
(listens)
I can’t make it.
(listens)
Look, that’s not my problem.
Then, I’ve seen some similar to above, but filled with (beat) instead.
Is there one correct way to do it?
— Kris
New York City
There’s no one “right” way, but I tend to choose the first option, since space is always at a premium. The only time to break out the parentheticals is if something really is changing on Kevin’s side of the conversation: the tone, the intent or the direction of the conversation.
You’ll also need a parenthetical (or a separate action line) if Kevin is speaking to someone on-screen and on the phone at the same time.
For instance, here’s an exchange from Go:
GAINES
(on phone)
It’s called Mary Xmas. Mary like a chick…Like her name is Mary, not like you marry her. You fucking moron…I dunno, some warehouse shit.
(to Claire)
Is this gonna be cool?
CLAIRE
Yeah, I guess.
GAINES
(on phone)
My friend Claire here says it’s going to be a kick-ass-fucking-time…What, you know her?
(to Claire)
It’s your buddy Simon. He’s in Vegas.
CLAIRE
I know.
GAINES
She knows…Hell, I dunno…
(looks at Claire)
Maybe…Yeah, well save a load for me big boy…Whatever.