It's so hard for me to thing of a name. I want to use a name that's relevant, but not too boring. What do you guys do?
I'm thinking about using one of the following names... Centonia Second Origin Valhalla
Which one would you use? I'm working on a Sci-Fi script..the name of the city is Valhalla, the name of the alien race is Centonia, and "Second Origin" refers to a line in the script.
Maybe that's true in Europe, Mr. Wendal, but not so much in Hollywood. Producers or studio execs or even the marketing department may change a title from time to time, but generally, the title a writer comes up with is the one that sticks.
name is very important. i think you're going about it wrong. your approach is literal. the title should imply the theme of pic while suggesting what kind of action will take place - like 'collateral'. 'collateral' suggests the theme of collateral damage to people by 'dissassociation within society'. this theme is hit upon several times, both in dialogue and visual metaphor. 'collateral' also foreshadows the damage inflicted on innocent and guilty people by the killer
a little research will reveal this type approach to entitling movies. so, ask yourself what the theme of your script is and make a list of words (words not titles) that are suggestive - then, go from there
however, if you're stuck 'untitled sci-fi thriller' will work
I am with Koj on this. Terry Rosio (Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean) says that a great name can sell a screen play. Mind you they play has to be good as well. But a great SP can be ruined by a bad name. How many times have you passed up a book on the shelf because the name didn’t appeal to you.
"Second Origin" is okay, but you want something universally appealing and descriptive. A mini story in of itself.
Everyone knows what Valhalla is, but the name is kind of cumbersome. Perhaps, "Warriors Heaven" or "Warriors of Heaven". Without knowing more about the SP it's hard for me to come up with a name for you, but I suggest you do some free form writing. Sit down with a blank page, and think about your story. The start writing words that relate to it. After a bit I am sure you will string two or three together that sound good, and are descriptive of your story.
I don't mean to offend but all those titles are dreadful.
You want a title that not only leaps out of a query (and the shelf at Blockbuster) but also one that gives a stranger an idea about what your story is about.
If the title is vague, then it's not doing its job.
Originally posted by Kelvaris: I am with Koj on this. Terry Rosio (Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean) says that a great name can sell a screen play. Mind you they play has to be good as well. But a great SP can be ruined by a bad name. How many times have you passed up a book on the shelf because the name didn’t appeal to you.
"Second Origin" is okay, but you want something universally appealing and descriptive. A mini story in of itself.
Everyone knows what Valhalla is, but the name is kind of cumbersome. Perhaps, "Warriors Heaven" or "Warriors of Heaven". Without knowing more about the SP it's hard for me to come up with a name for you, but I suggest you do some free form writing. Sit down with a blank page, and think about your story. The start writing words that relate to it. After a bit I am sure you will string two or three together that sound good, and are descriptive of your story.
