Can't choose a title for my comedy

GonnaBeFamous · Jul 23, 2005

Which hooks you more,

Misfit(maybe the word a little outdated?)
Mama's Boy(This insult is used on page 2 though so not as obscure)
Professional Student(Witty, tells something about the character but not used directly in screenplay)
Neurotic(A little more general but possible hook? )

What hooks you more just by looking at the title? What do you think I should use with the following information? Or can you think of a better title with similiar kinds of words?

Thanks.

Writer1 · Jul 23, 2005

It's IMPOSSIBLE to say without some idea of the story...sorry.

dpaterso · Jul 23, 2005

Words swirling in cosmic limbo...

Synapses connecting...

How about "Mama's Pride And Joy" -- takes a little bit from each of your titles, from an ironic angle.

Failing that, "Untitled Comedy" has zing, you have to admit.

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity.

GonnaBeFamous · Jul 23, 2005

dpaterso said:
Words swirling in cosmic limbo...

Synapses connecting...

How about "Mama's Pride And Joy" -- takes a little bit from each of your titles, from an ironic angle.

Failing that, "Untitled Comedy" has zing, you have to admit.

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity.

ROFLMAO at first one. I love it. The only problem is the story isn't really about that, thats just a subplot. It's not like the whole story is around him being a mama's boy its just a trait he has. Do you think it would still make it appropriate or do you think I should go with your choice number 2 or back to my original choices?

EDIT: That title can actually take on a different meaning because it makes fun of the character by saying its her pride and joy which is hilarious to laugh at. So yeah I think that's it. I like it. Thanks.

GonnaBeFamous · Jul 23, 2005

DP your a genius. Those same words were basically used as an insult to my character on page 11. I'm definitely keeping this one. Thanks.

dpaterso · Jul 23, 2005

Until something better comes up.

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity.

Richard · Jul 23, 2005

Er...I vote for 'all those names are really, really boring'

GonnaBeFamous · Jul 23, 2005

Richard said:
Er...I vote for 'all those names are really, really boring'

You don't like mama's pride and joy? (it even sounds like a comedy, you want a title to sort of sound like the genre) It's even used in the movie as an insult(not exact phrase) and it's ironic on the character.

GonnaBeFamous · Jul 23, 2005

You know I'm startingto have second thoughts. Sounds like a drama title.

TheRuleofThirds · Jul 23, 2005

How about "Nerd"?

GonnaBeFamous · Jul 23, 2005

TheRuleofThirds said:
How about "Nerd"?

He's not so much a nerd. He's more of an idiot, so I'll pick Idiotfor now. Now that's a comedy that would fit this becasue when you see this character he is truly an idiot and you know what your getting into when you read the title. I want a title that someone knows what they are getting into when they read itbecause its a pretty shocking comedy. Thanks.

GonnaBeFamous · Jul 23, 2005

GonnaBeFamous said:
He's not so much a nerd. He's more of an idiot, so I'll pick Idiotfor now. Now that's a comedy that would fit this becasue when you see this character he is truly an idiot and you know what your getting into when you read the title. I want a title that someone knows what they are getting into when they read itbecause its a pretty shocking comedy. Thanks.

This guy has an obsessive/stalker quality. Any humours light on how to show that? It would be less generic then nerd or idiot.

GonnaBeFamous · Jul 23, 2005

I don't want to call him names in the title I realize because I have to keep him as a protagonist, a protagonist with major flaws, but one nevertheless. One people can feel sorry for to a CERTAIN extent

Mac H. · Jul 23, 2005

I love it. The only problem is the story isn't really about that, thats just a subplot

Since when to titles need to be strongly related to the content ?

'Minority Report' was a great title. Had basically zero to do with the story.

'To kill a Mockingbird' was a great title. It captured the 'essence' of the story, but basically had zero to do with the basic plot.

Mac

okaybrass · Jul 23, 2005

Having a comedic title is alot better than just, "Stalker" or "Neurotic", which sounds very dramatic and scary.

I like the title "Mama's Boy", but I do think a twist in this title would be nice, such as...."Mama's Little Stalker".

Or as always, the title can be something completeley random, just make sure it sets the tone and pace for your screenplay.

GonnaBeFamous · Jul 23, 2005

okaybrass said:
Having a comedic title is alot better than just, "Stalker" or "Neurotic", which sounds very dramatic and scary.

I like the title "Mama's Boy", but I do think a twist in this title would be nice, such as...."Mama's Little Stalker".

Or as always, the title can be something completeley random, just make sure it sets the tone and pace for your screenplay.

The only problem about mama's boy or mama's stalker would imply the mother is in the movie a lot. She is only in it once and the guy is voer 18

I'm thinking of coming up with a more random or obscure title.

Joe Calabrese · Jul 24, 2005

This is why I almost always pick a title before I start. Sometimes I do change midstream. My period action fantasy "The Eyes of Mara," was originally called "Mara and the British Bulldogs of War." The original was too comical and too long for my manager and was changed during the 2nd rewrite.

Enough of me. With regards to your story, which I know nothing about, if you want my opinion, I would go with:

"The Idiot."

Since your lead is described as such and it worked well for Steve Martin's "The Jerk," I think it's a good jumping off point.

Anyway. Don't worry about it. Producers will change a title faster than you can say "Bennifer."

Pick one-- anyone and move on. Your logline is what gets a producers attention, not the title. One time a producer told me he wasn't crazy about one of my titles. I said, I guess that's the first of many things you'll change. He smiled.

NikeeGoddess · Jul 24, 2005

so redundant

you don't always have to cut and paste the comment preceeding your reply

ok - back on topic:
just call it whatever you want with the subheading (working title) until you come up with one that sticks. if it sells and the producers want to change it they will anyway. the content of the story matters more than the title which is so easily changed. and btw - i think Mama's Pride and Joy sounds very comical in a sarcastic kind of way.

GonnaBeFamous · Jul 24, 2005

Joe Calabrese said:
This is why I almost always pick a title before I start. Sometimes I do change midstream. My period action fantasy "The Eyes of Mara," was originally called "Mara and the British Bulldogs of War." The original was too comical and too long for my manager and was changed during the 2nd rewrite.

Enough of me. With regards to your story, which I know nothing about, if you want my opinion, I would go with:

"The Idiot."

Since your lead is described as such and it worked well for Steve Martin's "The Jerk," I think it's a good jumping off point.

Anyway. Don't worry about it. Producers will change a title faster than you can say "Bennifer."

Pick one-- anyone and move on. Your logline is what gets a producers attention, not the title. One time a producer told me he wasn't crazy about one of my titles. I said, I guess that's the first of many things you'll change. He smiled.

Thanks Joe, i'm glad to know the title isn't so important, and I do like "the idiot" sort of a rendition on the jerk, even though the movie quite isn't as comical it's more of a comey-drama, but the guy is an idiot. LOL

GonnaBeFamous · Jul 24, 2005

NikeeGoddess said:
you don't always have to cut and paste the comment preceeding your reply

ok - back on topic:
just call it whatever you want with the subheading (working title) until you come up with one that sticks. if it sells and the producers want to change it they will anyway. the content of the story matters more than the title which is so easily changed. and btw - i think Mama's Pride and Joy sounds very comical in a sarcastic kind of way.

Even though the mother only show's up once in the movie and the guy is an adult? Keep in mind she uses something as a insult on page 11, so maybe this would be better then "The idiot"? Maybe i'll just stick with mama's pride and joy. It is pretty funny when you see what the guy is really like

Can't choose a title for my comedy

GonnaBeFamous

Writer1

dpaterso

Patent pending

GonnaBeFamous

GonnaBeFamous

dpaterso

Patent pending

Richard

13th Triskaidekaphobe

GonnaBeFamous

GonnaBeFamous

TheRuleofThirds

practical experience, FTW

GonnaBeFamous

GonnaBeFamous

GonnaBeFamous

Mac H.

Board Visitor

okaybrass

GonnaBeFamous

Joe Calabrese

NikeeGoddess

GonnaBeFamous

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