Screenwriting : Inanimate Object as a Character by Whitney Moore

Whitney Moore

Inanimate Object as a Character

I'm curious if anyone else has ever written an inanimate object as a character in a screenplay and if so how did you format their actions?

Currently, I'm writing a short film script that has a teddy bear in it for comic relief but also a sidekick for the main character. He doesn't have any lines but he does quite a few actions and interactions with the main character. I'm formatting his actions as if they are actions but I wonder if anyone else has done anything similar and what you did.

Would you treat him like a second character and give him speaker formatting in some scenes even if he has no lines? Or keep him in the action paragraphs? Or another suggestion...?

Lindbergh E Hollingsworth

Write him like a character would work. Just ensure the T-bear has a name so it's easier to know who's doing what to whom.

Craig D Griffiths

I would write it from a camera POV and how the character reacts.

Craig sneaks towards the door. He looks back into the room. He jumps. Teddy is on the floor just two feet behind him, like Teddy has also been sneaking to the door.

Emily J

The TED movie script is in the Writers' Room Script Library if you're interested! Might be a different vibe than what you're going for, but would definitely be a good reference

Bill Albert

I was thinking of Wilson in Castaway as a start. Can you get ahold of the script anywhere an d see how that was handled?

Greg Wong

In Aardman Animation's Wallace and Grommit, Grommit has no lines. Everything he does is action. It's almost reminiscent of a silent movie actor. Perhaps the silent era is where you could draw inspiration.

Whitney Moore

Bill Albert That's a great suggestion I totally forgot about Wilson!

Whitney Moore

Aww Wallace and Grommit used to be one of my favorites! Thanks Greg!

Other topics in Screenwriting:

register for stage 32 Register / Log In