I've read the distinctions between the three explained as follows:
V.O. (Voice Over) usually narration added in post.
O.C. (Off Camera) means that the speaking character is a participant in the scene but is presently out of the camera's line of sight.
O.S. (Off Scene) means that a speaking character is nearby so that her voice is audible but that she is not a participant in the scene.
Others maintain that nowadays O.C. is used only in teevee scripts, or not at all.
Any informed opinions? Thx.
I don’t know why anyone would say O.C. is only used for TV.
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People like to argue this one.
V.O. (Voice Over) - As you described.
O.C. (Off Camera) - Antiquated and has been replaced by O.S.
O.S. (Off Screen) - Exactly the same as O.C. but in more favor now.
I tell my clients I really don't care if they use O.C. or O.S. but they should be consistent and use one or the other. My Preference is O.S.
What about someone on the other end of a walkie-talkie?
I've done scenes with Walkie-talkie's and phone voices, and have used (V.O.) for those.
Basically I agree with Pierre on this. Your job as the writer is to make your script clear, concise and easy to read. Do whatever you're most comfortable with.
Bill & Jerry - at the end of the character cue use a directorial paranthical; (on walkie-talkie) or (from phone) - just keep it simple.
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(V.O.) means voice over film. That means they'll add the voice to the film later on after the scene has already been filmed. .
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Barry - if you use a parenthetical to 'voice' a character's emotion; good Actors will hate/be unwilling to work with you. Let the Actors breath life into your characters.
Lynch's heavy use of character V.O. in Dune (1984) was (apparently?) an attempt to copy author Herbert's extensive use of character internal monologues. The movie was problematic in many other ways, and the V.O.s did not help.
OS is off-stage, meaning not seen. VO is narration added in post. Simple as that. I don't think I've ever seen OC.