Computer Generated Voice...(V.O) or (O.S)

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  • Computer Generated Voice...(V.O) or (O.S)

    **** moves to the side and faces a scanner. a RED LASER scans his retina.

    Computer Generated voice (V.O) or (O.S)

    ******* Access granted. Welcome Sir.

  • #2
    Re: Computer Generated Voice...(V.O) or (O.S)

    ... or neither.

    Technically, the voice IS on-screen, but spoken by a computer.

    Maybe...

    COMPUTER (ON THE OVERHEAD SPEAKER)
    Yes, sir?

    or, better, more simple, and still clear -- nothing...

    COMPUTER
    Yes, sir?

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Computer Generated Voice...(V.O) or (O.S)

      Just for perspective: I've worked in many card/code access buildings. The only voices that ever greeted me were my coworkers.
      A red laser scans his retina. The door opens.

      Comment


      • #4
        Computer Generated Voice (V.O)

        If the voice supplied for the computer is done as ADR, (usually for clarity's sake), as with other devices, (telephone, television, radio, public address systerm, etc.), then:

        COMPUTER (V.O.)
        (filtered)
        Access granted. Welcome, sir.
        JEKYLL & CANADA (free .mp4 download @ Vimeo.com)

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Computer Generated Voice...(V.O) or (O.S)

          Originally posted by medavidson View Post

          COMPUTER (ON THE OVERHEAD SPEAKER)
          Yes, sir?
          this is what I would do.

          i think it's plenty clear.

          do it like this

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Computer Generated Voice...(V.O) or (O.S)

            I would go with Fortean's example. It's clear and simple, and to the point. It's a V.O. though for real. A voice that has to be added during post production.

            wks

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Computer Generated Voice...(V.O) or (O.S)

              (V.O.) - because it will be added later (or is on a playback) and not some character standing in the next room or on the other side of a door or somewhere else Off Screen.

              - Bill
              Free Script Tips:
              http://www.scriptsecrets.net

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Computer Generated Voice...(V.O) or (O.S)

                When the voice is the computer, rather than a character speaking via a computer (e.g., via Skype) or a Security Guard speaking from some other location, I dunno why you need to use V.O./O.S. or anything.

                Code:
                INT. OP-CENTER ENTRYWAY -- DAY
                
                Jack stands at a RETINA SCANNER, its red laser scans his eye. 
                
                                     RETINA SCANNER
                           Jack Smith -- access granted. Welcome, 
                           Sir.
                The only reason I might use O.S. in a situation of this sort: A scene in which 3 people are speaking, then one of them walks O.S. and is heard being cleared by the scanner. So: RETINA SCANNER (O.S.)

                I'm not saying that any of the other suggested ways are wrong, just that this is simpler and seems to work as well. So I suppose I agree with medavidson's suggestion #2.

                Originally posted by MoviePen View Post
                Just for perspective: I've worked in many card/code access buildings. The only voices that ever greeted me were my coworkers.

                A red laser scans his retina. The door opens.
                Yeh, but how cool would it be...

                Code:
                INT. NONDESCRIPT ENTRYWAY -- DAY
                
                MoviePen stands at a RETINA SCANNER, its red laser scans his eye. 
                
                                     RETINA SCANNER
                           MoviePen -- access granted. Welcome, 
                           Sir.
                Last edited by Manchester; 04-17-2012, 11:42 AM.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Computer Generated Voice...(V.O) or (O.S)

                  Originally posted by medavidson View Post
                  ... better, ... simple, ... clear -- nothing...

                  COMPUTER
                  Yes, sir?
                  - Primarily when I see "(V.O.)" I think it's not heard by the characters in the scene.
                  - For the story it doesn't matter if the voice sounds filtered or natural.
                  - For the story it doesn't matter where the voice comes from.
                  - For the story it doesn't matter when the voice is added.
                  "I am the story itself; its source, its voice, its music."
                  - Clive Barker, Galilee

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Computer Generated Voice...(V.O) or (O.S)

                    Originally posted by Chief View Post
                    **** moves to the side and faces a scanner. a RED LASER scans his retina.

                    Computer Generated voice (V.O) or (O.S)
                    What BDZ and Martell said - take your pick. These days, writers seem so confused between O.S. and V.O. that it's probably better to use BDZ's method.

                    Note that O.S. means "off-screen" and refers to a character who is physically present in the scene but not within view of the camera. Everything else is V.O. or an equivalent, such as "computer voice" or "loudspeaker".

                    I know there is a WGAS (who gives a sh!t) school of thought about this but people who have been in the business more than 10 years still find it jarring when O.S. is used incorrectly, because when we read that we expect the character to be physically present and it's confusing to discover they are not.
                    "Friends make the worst enemies." Frank Underwood

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Computer Generated Voice...(V.O) or (O.S)

                      Yeh, but how cool would it be...

                      Code:
                      INT. NONDESCRIPT ENTRYWAY -- DAY
                      
                      MoviePen stands at a RETINA SCANNER, its red laser scans his eye. 
                      
                                           RETINA SCANNER
                                 MoviePen -- access granted. Welcome, 
                                 Sir.
                      Maybe, but it's 5 lines of "show don't tell" for me. My druthers would be to use those five lines for more interesting stuff.

                      If it conveys info absolutely necessary to the story, that's a horse of a different color. Or if the computer's name is Hal. Or Robotard.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Computer Generated Voice (V.O)

                        Originally posted by Fortean View Post
                        If the voice supplied for the computer is done as ADR, (usually for clarity's sake), as with other devices, (telephone, television, radio, public address systerm, etc.), then:

                        COMPUTER (V.O.)
                        (filtered)
                        Access granted. Welcome, sir.
                        Yes. (filtered) is correct.
                        If you really like it you can have the rights
                        It could make a million for you overnight

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Computer Generated Voice...(V.O) or (O.S)

                          Of course, this is one of those situations where you could do things several ways. It really does not matter.

                          I would not use (O.S.), because that is clearly for a character who is off screen (like standing behind a curtain, or something like that). No point in personifying the computer to that point (not even the famous HAL).

                          I would just use (V.O.) and forget about it.

                          EDIT TO ADD: You know, I have been here more than ten years. One of my favorite activities has been to analyze these questions about "How would you show this?" and "How would you format this?"

                          But, honestly, if you are dealing with an issue so unique that it is going to receive various answers, then you do not have to worry that somebody somewhere is going to say, "Hey, this guy is a doofus. He doesn't know how to format."

                          "The fact that you have seen professionals write poorly is no reason for you to imitate them." - ComicBent.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Computer Generated Voice...(V.O) or (O.S)

                            Voices over electronic devices are always (V.O.).

                            You can read more about the correct use of Voice Overs here: http://scripttoolbox.com/character_h...vo_and_os.html
                            http://www.screenreads.com/formatting - The free screenplay formatting guide.

                            My book on formatting, Your CUT TO: Is Showing!, is now available on Amazon.com.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Computer Generated Voice...(V.O) or (O.S)

                              Also, I wouldn't use (filtered). Many people use this too often (especially for phone conversations. It is basically a special sound effect, and those are best left up to the director.
                              http://www.screenreads.com/formatting - The free screenplay formatting guide.

                              My book on formatting, Your CUT TO: Is Showing!, is now available on Amazon.com.

                              Comment

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