Pantomime?

[gruss]

How would you format a scene that's voiced over, such that the scene itself is virtually a pantomime? For example:
---

INT. MUSSOLINI'S BED & BREAKFAST - NIGHT

Benito gesticulates wildly as he harangues Tom.

TOM (V.O.)
And it was at that very moment that I realized why I didn't want to stay there...
---

Note that it's important that we see the haranguing, but the actual content of the harangue is unimportant, whereas the voiceover is central. So I want the action in pantomime, or at least voice-UNDER.

Ideas?

[Lulu1000]

Hi!

That's not pantomime! That's something called M.O.S.

Once upon a time -- early 30's, I believe -- when a gaggle of German directors came to Hollywood, they used a style previously unused in H'wood films (or at least not used much) involving V.O. combined with scenes for which we don't hear the dialog. They shot the visuals without a mic.

When they said they wanted to shoot a scene "without sound," it came out, because of their accents, as "mit out sound" -- this designation was referred to by crews, and eventually other directors, writers, etc., by its initial letters: "M.O.S."

Your slugline should read:

INT. MUSSOLINI'S BED & BREAKFAST - NIGHT - M.O.S.

That tells everyone that we see Benito harangue Tom, but we just don't hear it (because it literally was shot without a mic).

Actually, I can't recall now whether you're supposed to use the periods after each letter, or it's "MOS" -- but I am pretty sure the periods are correct.

[gruss]

What if it's pantomime, because the sound we would normally hear is drowned out by a train whistle or some such. Then you presumably couldn't slug it m.o.s. because it's not mit out sound -- although you can't hear the characters.

[jimjimgrande]

Do not put MOS into your sluglines. It's strictly used on the slate during production to let those synching sound know that sound didn't roll for that take or scene so don't look for it.

mit out sound was an actual term used in Germany that migrated into the english lexicon when Hollywood starting hiring German directors, It was not a term that resulted from their accents.

btw- I would recommend F.W. Murnau's movies as well as those of other German expressionist filmmakers to everyone. Reading about their history and impact on Hollywood wouldn't be such a bad thing either.

SUNRISE and M are my two favorites and everybody should watch THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI.

[wcmartell]

MOS isn't the same as a scene with voice over, it's *any* scene that's shot withou sync sound.

- Bill

[Ivylilly]

Do VO. What you have is right. MOS is for production, not for a spec.

[Lulu1000]

Gruss,
They continue arguing, but we can't hear a word, as the shrill whistle of the passing train drowns them out.

You're using the word "pantomime" incorrectly... you're not alone. If I were doing pantomime, and sitting in a restaurant ordering chicken, I'd put my hands to my shoulders and flap my elbows. Pantomime involves acting out your meaning with gestures instead of using words. But what you're talking about putting into a script is people talking normally, just as if they were being heard, whom we just don't hear, because the sound wasn't recorded.

I know that some people don't like the term MOS in a spec draft, but I've seen it from professional writers lots of times. If you don't want to use it, find another way to say what you mean -- "but we don't hear them... just the swelling symphonic music from next door" kind of thing -- just don't use "pantomime."

[gruss]

Thanks lulu, never really intended to use "pantomime" in the script, i was just using the term, albeit incorrecty, to convey my meaning here on the board.

The apparent taboo against using MOS in a spec script does strike me as odd. If it's an accepted industry term that directly and correctly describes what I'm trying to describe, why beat around the bush?

Also, can anyone think of any examples of such a script? I'm particularly curious to see how others have handled this vo dialogue and action meant to be simultaneous.