Naming Screenplay Characters

Let's talk about naming your screenplay characters and how to avoid common screenwriting mistakes!
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/ worddancer

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

These tips are something you can know, but still make these mistakes. Because they were never in the same scene, I accidentally had a Carl and a Clive. You have to do a check of all your characters before sending work out! This is not just for beginners -- all screenwriters need a reminder. I see really great stories and characters yet the script is a struggle to read because too many character names are similar.

[@ThinkStory]

This was such a great video on a topic almost no one talks about. When I was a reader this happened so many times where I would get confused on who is who. Great stuff!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Thanks!

[@jonathanfraser9970]

Uh, you’re the best at teaching. You’re awesome.

[@trevorprime2274]

+Word Dancer - How to write a screenplay Video Suggestion: Writing Action Scenes: Dos, Dont's, and Common Problems

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

I'll put it on the list!

[@thesoundvendor2303]

Absolutely fantastic playlist!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Thanks, Josh!

[@TheDude-vx6wn]

I can't thank you enough. This is the best video I've seen on this topic. THANK YOU!

[@Getcakedieyoung23]

Just wanted to say that your videos are really helping me

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Thanks!!

[@trevorprime2274]

I use the tips you spoke of in this video, but since my character names aren't English I have to use some tricks of my own. One thing that helps me is using nicknames. In the Caribbean, where I am from, nicknames are a huge part of life so I draw from that. For shits and giggles, here are some in my library: POOPOO DIVER - so named after he jumped into a latrine to rescue an old woman that fell in. TANTANNAH - He never entered a fete or family celebration without announcing his own presence with his long arms outstretched and making a loud trumpet-like fanfare with his mouth ‘Tan tan naaaahhhh!!’ SEMI-COLON - He had a piece of his colon surgically removed.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

SEMI-COLON lol!!!!

[@TarrinLupo]

Good timing, I realized last week that two of my main characters have similar names. Thanks for reminding me to fix it. I think there is a way to replace it in final draft but I'm not sure how to use it.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

I need reminders too! I have both, but I tend to use Movie Magic over Final Draft. And yes, I'm sure there is a way...

[@TarrinLupo]

I have a character name that would really fit well, but I already used that name in a book I wrote a few years back. Can you recycle names in different screenplays?

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

It would only become an issue if the movie gets made and there would be any confusion between the characters. But in spec screenplays, the reader probably won't be aware of the other work. Also depends on how unique the name is. If it's a name like Englebert -- there could be more than one. If the name is REALLY different like Saturn Mississippi, then more of an issue. Maybe look for another name -- you might find one you like better if you open up to other possibilities.

[@TarrinLupo]

Thanks for taking the time to reply :)

[@patrickfranks2734]

Very good information to know. This will help me rename a few of my characters for my horror screenplay.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Yeah!

[@C.Church]

Only if you're Bob Newhart can you name Larry and his brother Daryl, and his other brother Daryl. 😁

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

I forgot about them! Loved that.

[@AnnoyingMoose]

They only mentioned it upon their first appearance but Larry said that his other brother Daryl used to be named Larry until they changed it to avoid confusion.

[@Nic7320]

I name my characters Pete and Repeat.

[@ajashley3015]

Excellent video!! Readability is one of my huge pet peeves in analysis!!

[@doughaley2455]

Thanks for another great video!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Thanks, Doug!

[@god_frey6605]

You make fall in love with you word! You're amazing and really helping me out with my writing. Thanks so much

[@EduardoRivera-ej8ju]

Word Dancer is a very recognizable character name. Hahaha! Another amazing lecture. Thanks!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Thanks, Eduardo!

[@Jays_dead_cat]

Great work you are doing. Getting some really good tips for my project.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Thanks, Jordan!

[@jonathanfraser9970]

You. Are. Awesome. You’re gonna be big.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Aw... Thanks!

[@matthewsawczyn6592]

Still holding out for "Neo and Nemo"

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

It would be awesome, right?

[@megganhouse7037]

Thank you so much. Your videos are always helpful.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Yeah! Thanks so mach :)

[@HoonaticsMCNiko23Crowe]

It's hard to believe that this had to even be a topic. But as usual, well struck! Always lool forward to your next thing... Keep em coming

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Thanks, Moebius!

[@WavesWatcher1]

Duly noted. Great examples. Great video. Thank you, Word Dancer 👍

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Thanks, Watcher!

[@ar.abdulwahabawan6600]

Well explained. Thankyou. You are great.

[@LesiureBoy]

You are seriously so awesome!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Thanks, Steve! You are awesome too!

[@mimaonfire]

Another tip is to make sure the name makes sense for the particular culture. For example, I have characters in my books that are Mexican, Colombian, etc. I always look up first and last names popular in those particular countries. I have to admit, one of the things I find time-consuming about writing is coming up with character names! I've literally looked at news alerts on my phone to see if I could find something that pops out for either a first or last name. 😂 Thanks for all the great tips!

[@guidebydog]

Got it. Thanks! #respect

[@ianmcdonough7575]

I actually got all the first 'Name That Character' answers right

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Well done!

[@ianmcdonough7575]

Lol, thanks! ~ Ian

[@magmovies9323]

Very helpful and well explained, thank you.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Thanks!!

[@Jjrmtv]

always the best posts...always!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

:) Thanks, Viking!

[@learninglife4599]

Omg thank you for this video!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

You are so welcome! Thanks for the comment! :)

[@heitorla]

Cool. I actually do use some of the tricks you advised. Esoecially the Baby name sites for period.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Baby name sites are awesome:)

[@heitorla]

The tip on differentiating the names and also varying the length of names was helpful too. I sort of had that in the back of my mind but you brought it to light and made the point crystal clear, and I fully agree. Great tips and great delivery. Good job again!

[@mmafreakful]

I feel like any rule that is only there simply for the purpose of making the script an easier read is only necessary for spec scripts because the only purpose of making a script easier to read is if you’re trying to sell it. Writers/filmmakers who direct their own scripts don’t really make their scripts an easy read but they really don’t have to be. At that point it’s all about the story. You’ll see big chunks of action lines which they tell you not to do. PTA and Wes Anderson come to mind. And if there’s more than one character’s name that you can’t change because it has to be what it is for a creative reason like it carries symbolic meaning that serves the story, then changing either one of them so it doesn’t rhyme, sound similar or has a similar length to the other name, would be a mistake. So in these type of cases I would say break these name rules but otherwise it would be good to follow just like the small chunks of action lines rule.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

True. So if Wes Anderson or PTA are watching this video, special note for them - do your thing.

[@mmafreakful]

Sorry for the long message, I can talk about screenwriting all day lol it’s the most interesting thing to learn

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

That's awesome!

[@warriors9480]

really like you when i saw your videos i checked my script has big mistake , thank you for that video

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Yeah! That's great:)

[@VincentPaterno-hs2fv]

I have a rom-com feature script where the lead character is named Colleen (full name: Colleen Carole Cossitt) and her older sister is Maureen (full name: Maureen Myrna Cossitt). Their mother believed sibling names should rhyme, while she also was a classic film fan who gave her daughters middle names of movie stars ("Carole" for Lombard, "Myrna" for Loy). Colleen's a waitress in a Las Vegas casino whose love interest is a scientist and inventor named Keswick Fletcher (sounds like someone in academia, right?). Supporting protagonist character names include Faye Switlik (Colleen's best friend and an exotic dancer), Belinda Austin (Keswick's aide) and Ernest Sanderson (Colleen's eccentric billionaire casino boss). Among the antagonists are Vito Cortez (he owns the "gentlemen's club" where Faye works, but is also a blackmailer for the Boston mob), Alexandra Maitland (haughty widowed Vegas showgirl legend) and Tim Whitman (Colleen's physically abusive, gambling-obsessed ex). Oh, and in earlier drafts Faye was named Meg Switlik and Alexandra was named Cassandra Maitland, but since I already had characters whose names began with "M" and "C," I changed them.

[@mtd1089]

Thanks for the info. I have a question that I sent you in a previous video. So, I am currently working on a screenplay that contains a scene with numerous unnamed characters (Students and Faculty) at a high school. What is a good way to introduce and identify each of them? Thank You.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

That really depends on the scene. The most shorthand way to do it would be STUDENT 1, STUDENT 2. Sometimes you can do things like GOTH STUDENT, PREPPY STUDENT, NERD STUDENT, PE TEACHER, HISTORY TEACHER, etc. And in action lines say there are various STUDENTS and FACULTY without having to give a big list before we see them.

[@mtd1089]

Thank you so much for the reply :)

[@mychalsimmons4177]

Always the best advice ........Hi WD

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Hi Mychal! Thanks for the lovely comment!

[@ryanmeeks8896]

what do you think about using an anagram for a name? the name would end up being a name that isn't really a name though. would that be too expository?

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Do whatever fits your story:)

[@warriors9480]

hello WD why I can't watch the last video you have make it about how to format a screenplay

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

That's exactly what it's about! I pulled it down because I got all the beta testers I needed, but since you asked I will put it back up for a few more:) kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIi2o3yKbcuDepY

[@somniavitasunt]

Think I'll name my next character Earhtenheart van der Ploutenhout.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

lol

[@BlindedBraille]

What happen to the video explaining plot structure (your screenplay needs candy)? I remember seeing it a while ago but forgot the some of the techniques...

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

I'm reworking it into a full Udemy course:)

[@thereseember2800]

I think you should always name at least one character Dorotka Naboohoodonozorevechevich. Have her ask the Starbucks barista to write it on a coffee cup. The other characters can be named: Abigail Schmeklborgazonovich, Zsyvokost Bob & Fred Lobotomy Head. The pet fish can be named Freshie Explorer Monkey Face. This will help keep your characters memorable & add enough pages in font alone to get you through any second act hurdles. The rest of your dialogue can then be a couple one-syllable words sprinkled here and there, and some action shots.

[@timpepper1775]

For a lot of my characters, I look up names that were popular during the time that character was born and names that are common for what ethnicity they are. Like if they are a white person living in America they probably have a last name that originated in Ireland, England, or Scotland.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Thanks for sharing, Timothy!

[@timpepper1775]

It is regarding first and last names. You can use it for first names, middle names, and last names. You only usually need a last name if the last name will be used by other characters later on. You should never give a last name to a character that is barely in the script and never has their last name said by anyone or used in any way.

[@timpepper1775]

I have written tons of scripts. For stuff like this, I would read a lot of the newer scripts that got made to see how they did it and do it like that when it comes to little rules like that.

[@tomhague1]

if i have a character who is a fitness coach but does not play a signifciant role in the film, do i need to give him a name or just call him fitness coach

[@mallorynicholas7574]

I’m working on a screenplay and my character’s names are Greyson Apollo and Piper. Is that okay?

[@kennyboston8556]

I heard it's not good to have a screenplay with too many uncommon names. For, example: Gideon, Messiah, Boston, ect. What are you thoughts? Is it better to sprinkle in some common names like Mike, Eddie?

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

If your script takes place in the real world, too many odd names will make it feel like a parallel universe. You can still get distinct without going overboard. TJ and Nathaniel are more distinct than John and Mike. But a lead called or Nicknamed Boston sounds pretty cool. Too many unusual names would also take away from your lead- let the main character stand out. Great question!

[@benallotti3064]

I have two characters in my story named Jonathan and Juleen. Does that conflict?

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Too similar for me as a reader. Would make the read harder for me.

[@benallotti3064]

Word Dancer - How to write a screenplay Thanks. I will change her name to either Amanda or Angelique in my next draft. I appreciate the response!

[@vimalfilmfactory9877]

thanks mam. how to add camera angles on shooting scripts im cofused

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Don't add camera angles. Just imply what is seen by what you write and start a new paragraph that will imply a new shot. Example: Her pupils dilate as the drug hits her system. We will know it's an extreme close up without writing ECU or ANGLE ON EYES.

[@vimalfilmfactory9877]

Word Dancer - thx

[@exquisitecorpse4917]

There's difficulty when principals conflict: It's not good to call the same person 3 different names.........but you also want to keep lines as short as possible, show don't tell, and avoid repetition. Sometimes I'll get a set of short actions between 2 characters: "Noun verbs, Girl verbs, Noun verbs back, *sound* Girl verbs" - the same few words get repeated, adding more is unnecessary, and the thesaurus isn't helping.......it's REALLY tempting to name-juggle. But - I suppose - we're just picking which principal is least important in such cases.

[@exquisitecorpse4917]

In dialog, you can play: The cops say "Mr. Miller", his boyfriend says "Dan", his mom says "Danny", and his boss says "D-dog" - this creates personality without adding words (yay!). BUT - in the left aligned text - it should always match his dialog heading, period. Choose wisely, but choose one. Scripts are technical manuals for the assembly of stories, so you should never create an opportunity for someone to put the wrong component in the wrong place....even if you have to sacrifice a little beauty

[@xChikyx]

In my WIP, I have Natasha and Nathan ;o hahah

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

lol

[@xChikyx]

@@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144 they'll stay tho... hahaha one of them is not with us anymore hahaha btw, those examples were great, if that doesn't make it clear to someone, nothing will

[@jonathanfraser9970]

Anyone who puts a thumbs down on this video. Is the worst person in life.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

There is someone in Canada and someone from Germany that just run around leaving thumbs down on everything:) Hilarious.

[@kristinwilson4889]

Just read a script and you are right, gender neutral names are confusing but what advice would you have for the screenwriter/film maker who wants to have gender neutral casting so that any of their characters can be cast as any gender. Is that something the script should reflect?

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Producers have no problem understanding they can change any gender -- they don't need to be given license by the writer.

[@johnwatters3431]

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

What about them?

[@stevekobb3850]

THE Joan Wilder??!!

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

:)

[@jyotimehta6000]

Your videos are oasis in a desert.

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

Thanks, Ayush!

[@TiagoCavalcanti-ji6hu]

God, I miss you...

[@2012XF3]

What if my character has two names. Similar like Batman.

[@ozzie8821]

👍👍👍👍😎

[@juliocesargonzalez6920]

I was corrected because I didn´t rmenber who was who.

[@C.Church]

Randos... 6:44 As a gay, I found this unintentiinal (?) double entendre rather amusing considering how true it is, 😉 And if you give your baby a baby name, do you have to change it once they are no longer a baby?

[@worddancer-howtowriteascre9144]

lol.

[@kewilliams487]

It my characters are twins though