Screenwriting : How do I write dialogue between a pet and pet owner if the pet owner is speaking for the pet? by Zane Wickman

What is the context of the scene? What's happening? Context informs execution. Is the pet owner just joking around for a moment? If so, just handle dialogue per usual. Keep it simple. Use description to clarify. Steer clear of dual dialogue. Seems a misuse here. Seems unnecessarily complicated for this purpose too, yes? Or... is this pet owner suffering from some kind of psychosis and hears voices in her/his head? Thinks the pets are actually "talking." Say... like in the film The Voices, in which Jerry "hears" the voices of his cat, Mr. Whiskers, and his dog, Bosco. But, of course, it's all Jerry—Ryan Reynalds does the voice work for both pets, it's hilarious! In the script, Bosco and Mr. Whiskers are treated like any other character with their own character names in dialogue. Simple. Here's the pdf. See page 5: http://godspeedstudios.us/www.unruly.tv/Scripts/VOICES,%20THE%20by%20Mic.... ;) Hope that helps!

I haven't written the scene yet but this is what I imagine. Prior to the scene: character PAIGE is live streaming in a setup at home. Her rambunctious cat (MITTENS) and usually tame dog (a Cairn Terrier - MURDOCK) wreck her setup; MITTENS had chased MURDOCK into the area where her setup was, knocked over a light, the light tumbled into the camera...basically shuts everything down. Where the scene begins: Paige returns to her live stream via Smartphone, apologizes to those watching, shows them her wrecked setup, locates Murdock - gives him a quick scolding before finishing her stream. She collapses on the couch, landing on some unopened mail that she had placed there earlier. As she's thumbing through the mail her cat Mittens leaps onto the couch. She picks up Mittens and has a little talk with him; this is where the dialogue with her pet begins.

So it may go something like (and first time righting the scene out):

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INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT

PAIGE (30's) is using her Smartphone to finish her live stream..

PAIGE

Hey everyone! Sorry about that! No I'm OK,

no need to call the cops or anything. Just

had some technical difficulties.

Paige shows those watching her wrecked setup in the living room.

PAIGE (cont'd)

Compliments of MITTENS and MURDOCK.

Where are they? Let's see.

Paige takes everyone on a hunt through her apartment. She finds MURDOCK (Cairn Terrier) under a bed and playfully scolds him. MITTENS (cat) can't be found.

PAIGE (cont'd)

As I was saying before the bombs dropped.

Go checkout the latest articles at The Weekly Wow.

Lots of new goodies. And please if you like

if you can donate, I use PASS THE BUCK and

it's very easy. I love you all, until next time!

Paige logs off and collapses on her couch. She removes mail that she sat on. As she tosses bill after bill aside Mittens leaps onto the couch.

PAIGE

There you are! Returned to the scene of the crime!

Paige picks up Mittens and has a playful conversation with him.

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And this is where I became confused and undecided. This is my very first screenplay, just learned the basics, read bits of scripts, still grasping things but have a decent understanding. Regardless thanks Beth for the feedback and link to The Voices, and if you can provided some feedback with what I wrote her that would be awesome too.

One more thing, I had everything aligned but when I posted the reply it (dialogue) all realigned to the left.

And yes I could've used more terms (ANGLE ON recording area in shambles), will do.

Perhaps check out how Wes Anderson does it in his Isle of Dogs script.

Hi, Zane. Okay, so it is a little moment. Then the dialogue is all Paige. She's basically talking to herself. Again, use description to make it clear.

Just for a quick example:

Paige scoops up Mittens. Cuddles him.

PAIGE

Evil little thing. Are you trying to ruin my show?

She holds the cat out in front of her, does her best 'cat voice' impression.

PAIGE

Ruin it? I find more interesting commentary in my litter box.

Mittens stares at her with indifference.

Paige puts him down.

PAIGE

Yeah, this is a real shit show.

Parentheticals can help if need be but use judiciously. If you have formatting questions, The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier is a good reference book to keep on hand. ;)

Thanks Beth! :) All is very helpful info.