I have two characters in an aircraft that communicate over a radio headset, what would be the best way to indicate they are speaking into the mic and not to themselves.  

With a telephone, it's easy, you just show the user picking up the phone and saying "Hello".  

I was thinking of something like:

CANE
(into the mic)
Hey.  You dead yet?

ABLE (V.O.)
I think I might be.  

CANE
(into the mic)
Suck it up, buttercup.  We're just getting started.
(to himself)
...and it's going to be a long day.


I have about 4 scenes where dialog takes place over the headsets.  Do I need to have parentheticals every time they speak?  Is the first one enough?  Or do I even need them at all?  

Thanks for the suggestions.

Hey DK. Long time no see. I remember your cool short, forgot the name, but I remember the story.

I think you are doing it correct, except you don't have to say "into the mic" each time if it's understood. You only have to say it once.

I don't think you need them at all, but I'm not a pilot and I'm not sure if it takes anything to initiate communication.  I would not have your characters talking to themselves, BTW.

You may want to check out a script like Topgun, or any other such flying movie ad see how they did it, not that you have to copy that, necessarily.

Maybe an intercut, like a phone call?

As long as it's clear to the reader, you should be cool.

Thanks Guys!  

A paren the first time is what I was thinking just so the reader can see how they are speaking to each other.  After that it can be inferred.

I did look at a few scripts (Top Gun/Pear Harbor/etc.) but couldn't find anything useful. They all seemed to use a different method (and most were shooting scripts which I've noticed don't follow the same general rules us noobs must to adhere to.)

A far as the intercut, I didn't want to overwhelm the story with too many intercuts so I tried to intermix them with (V.O.)'s/mini-slugs/etc just enough to keep from being annoying to the reader.  

Dreamscale: 10-4 on them not talking to themselves.  In this case, I just wanted my example to be clear as to what I was looking for.

Leitskev: I'm still here.  Just been lurking and writing.  Putting the final coat of wax on my first feature now; should be ready to set free this weekend!  Over six months to write it... can't wait to hear some feedback.

Thanks again.

Popping your feature cherry. Congrats.

I agree, I prefer the first way you posted, and just say "into the radio" or "into the mic" the first time. I think into the radio is better, myself. They wear helmets, so we don't see them talking, we hear over the radio.

Good luck.