character How to write a mute character's "Dialogue"

[whitefalconiv]

So, I'm working on a project, and in it, there's a stretch where the main character is turned to stone. He's still alive, still thinking, still seeing the action, but can't speak. He is, however, making commentary on the situation, interjecting, non-vocally, into the conversation going on around him.

My question is, how should I write his "words"? as a (V.O.)? or (O.S.)? Since the character is there, physically, but speaking only in his own head, how do I write that?

I know Voice-overs typically get panned as a newbie writing style, as do internal monologues, but this particular situation calls for the character to still be present to the audience, even though, to every other character (at least for the scenes where applicable), he's literally a statue.

I'm just wondering what everyone elses suggestions are here.

 

[MileCreations]

I would have said that (V.O) was probably the most appropriate way of labelling it on the screenplay

 

[Wolverine237]

Use V.O.

O.S. is used for when a character is speaking in a scene but they are OUT OF FRAME.

 

[whitefalconiv]

Use V.O.

O.S. is used for when a character is speaking in a scene but they are OUT OF FRAME.

Yeah, I know, but I wasn't sure what would apply in this case, as the scenes he "speaks" in are POV locked, so while he's "there", he's still not seen on-screen in those scenes. Sorry, I forgot that detail.

 

[Modern Day Myth Prod. LLC]

So, I'm working on a project, and in it, there's a stretch where the main character is turned to stone. He's still alive, still thinking, still seeing the action, but can't speak. He is, however, making commentary on the situation, interjecting, non-vocally, into the conversation going on around him.

My question is, how should I write his "words"? as a (V.O.)? or (O.S.)? Since the character is there, physically, but speaking only in his own head, how do I write that?

I know Voice-overs typically get panned as a newbie writing style, as do internal monologues, but this particular situation calls for the character to still be present to the audience, even though, to every other character (at least for the scenes where applicable), he's literally a statue.

I'm just wondering what everyone elses suggestions are here.

VOs are for newbees?

Tell that to the producers of Dexter.

A good percentage of Dexter's dialogue is VO, so we can get into his head.

 

[Modern Day Myth Prod. LLC]

VO are for narrations and character thoughts.

 

[whitefalconiv]

VOs are for newbees?

Well, on several screenwriting guides/forums I've read, VOs seem to be panned. Although the circumstances may be different, I just didn't want what I write to be overlooked by someone glancing at it because there are a lot of VO lines.

 

[Modern Day Myth Prod. LLC]

It is more of a problem with how some indie productions may misuse VOs. But, they are used like flashbacks and off camera scenes.