Screenwriting : Writing in Zoom in a scene by Michele Traina

Mention that it's a Zoom call in the scene description, then mention the characters are talking over the call like this:

MICHELE (ON SCREEN)

TONY (INTO SCREEN)

That's how I would do it.

I would treat it like an INTERCUT phone conversation. Each character's house is a setting and needs a slug line and brief description, preferably just before they speak in turn (if you front-load all that info at the top of the scene it gets boring and confusing). When all the character's locations are established (remember, these are all sets that will have to be procured, even if just in green screen) you can insert INTERCUT against the left margin and all their dialog can follow on as if they were all in the same room. It will flow as smoothly on the page as it would on the screen.

So you said it yourself...there is no one way...find out what suits your story style...

Note next to the character's name that's on Zoom (i.e. Matt (On Screen)). Also, set up in the description that your main character is on a Zoom call. Hope this helps!

Yes thank you everyone it does help, I forgot to mention that a festival I submitted it to had asked me to look it up in a guideline online and I couldn't find the 'right' way, my type a personality kicking in, this is super helpful, if anyone wants to take a look at the final script I'd love to share my format, I think I can screenshot it and post it.

"in each of their houses" That's a camera move, new lighting & set up - very expensive. I'm pretty sure that's not what you have in mind. You could use an INTERCUT - but I'm not sure about that. I'd have to think about that.

Think visually (I know, stupid statement). So use intercut to shift between room. But if we are seeing stuff from one side describe that.

“Terry drops drops off screen.”

Zoom has a particular visual aspect. You have to direct on the page to get it across, or ignore the fact and treat it like a phone call.

I'll give feedback on the screenshot of your final script, Michele Traina.

Ok so I read and reread everyone's suggestions and before I resubmit this to the festival that gave me the note here's what I got that felt most comfortable. Ideally if this was shot I would go with whats easier on the budget but Ideally it would have angels from inside each space the Zoom is taken place. So I place it on the top how I would list it as a phone conversation. Thoughts?

Awesome thank you!

I like that, Michele Traina. It's easy to read/understand.

The script, SEARCHING, (starring John Cho) is a good read on how to format an entire movie that is off a computer screen (single location?). The writer uses facebook, youtube, twitter, zoom call, email script headings. Check the script out, steal what you like.