Crafting Ideas for Great Movie Titles: Your 5-Step Guide

 

It is often argued that the first 5 pages of your script will make or break your chances in screenwriting ,at least in terms of making that initial first impression on busy script readers, development executives and producers. First impressions are important to get right and the very first impression of your screenplay will be the title.

Your movie title is the frontline of how your script will represent itself and therefore is important it accurately reflects what will come after that first page.

This article will give you 5 great steps to follow to make sure you don’t fall at the first hurdle and get that movie title just right.

 

Movie Titles: Common Mistakes

 

First of all, there are some key mistakes to avoid before you’ve even started the process of finding your movie title:

• Try to avoid creating a title that is similar to movie names already in existence.
• Equally, don’t use a movie title that’s already been taken. Do your research.
• Try to imagine your movie being advertised, would you see your title on the side of bus or a billboard.
• Although one word movie titles can sometimes be the perfect fit, try not to oversimplify your title. Just because it worked for TITANIC, GLADIATOR and ALIEN, doesn’t necessarily mean it is right for your film.

The title of your film is the first piece of your work that the reader will see- give them the right impression. Your movie title should give the reader the immediate impression that you have genuinely taken time to think about every aspect of your script.

A great movie title, will often represent an equally great script. Getting your film’s title right will allow you to set the tone for your entire screenplay.

So, your Movie Title – Where to Start?

 

Step 1: Know Your Script

 

As the writer you should, in theory, know your script better than anyone else. Evaluate your script- ask yourself:

• What is the films meaning?
• Where does the conflict lie?
• What emotion are you trying to elicit from your audience?

A good film title, in many cases, should indicate an idea of genre. This allows both readers and audiences to what the film may be about.

 

3 great examples of movie titles that are a helpful indicator to audiences of their content, are:

 

• THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN- This mysterious movie title clearly defines that the film is almost definitely going to be of the mystery/ thriller genre.
• PSYCHO- Hitchcock’s classic known for terrifying audiences since its release in 1960. The movies’ title sets the tone for the psychological horror that it certainly is.
• E.T. THE EXTRA– TERRESTRIAL – Obviously earmarks the genre as Science-Fiction. It also does a neat job of outlining some of the thematic content – how E.T is seen as an outsider and little else by all apart from the family that takes him in.

As this list reiterates, your movie title should exemplify the core essence of your script. Although some movie titles don’t conform to this ideal, it is definitely the best place to start.

Step 2: Generating Your Movie Title:

There are a number of places your movie title might come from within your script…

a) Characters

 

For many movies the title relates to the main character, making the protagonist an eponymous hero. Most obviously superhero movies do this (SPIDERMAN, SUPERMAN, BATMAN) but ROCKY, FORREST GUMP and TED are examples of three movies from three very contrasting genres all using the protagonist’s name as the title.

Variations of the characters’ names can also be an effective way of indicating the main character’s name but also revealing something of the movie’s story and/or themes. For example:

1. 1. STILL ALICE indicates the protagonist’s name but also gives a clue as to the story with the word ‘still’, alluding to Alice’s struggle to hold onto her identity in the face of Alzheimer’s disease.
   2. DJANGO UNCHAINED indicates the protagonist’s name as well as hinting at the direction of the story, referencing the context of Django being a freed slave and giving a flavour of the film’s wild, loose tone.
   3. THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON indicates the protagonist’s name as well as giving a flavour of the tone in making the title sound like that of a folk tale. In addition, ‘curious’ hints at the mythical, strange nature of the story whilst ‘case’ gives a clue as to the medical nature of Benjamin Button’s strange condition.

b) Location

 

Think about the setting of your movie, could that potentially be incorporated in to your title? This can be an effective way to conjure a name for your script. Whether the setting is a real place or a fictitious universe, these can be used effectively to give immediate context to your script. For example:

1. AUSTRALIA reveals the location of the story but also gives a clue as to the epic and sweeping tone the film was going for.
2. LONDON HAS FALLEN reveals the location of the story as well as giving a strong indication of its dramatic apocalyptic storyline and genre.
3. SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE reveals the location of the story as well as giving an idea of the romance at the core of the story and genre.

It’s important to remember, however, that location on it’s own isn’t always enough to indicate anything about the forthcoming story.

For example, do the titles MUNICH or PHILADELPHIA give much of an idea of the stories that the movies tell?

It would be quite hard to predict those movies go where they do just based on the titles. This doesn’t make them bad movie titles necessarily but always try and about a potential word or two added to the location to potentially make it stronger. 

 

c) Emotions and Circumstances

 

Another great way to generate your movie title is to evaluate the arcing emotions that your characters possess or their feeling towards their personal situation.

This can often create a greater enigma around the film, as the ambiguity will carry an intrigue.

For example:

1. SHAME speaks to the emotion coursing through the main character throughout the film in his battle with sex addiction.
2. HAPPINESS speaks to the journey the characters go on throughout the story to find happiness in their respective lives. It’s also somewhat of ironic title, given how elusive this emotion proves to be to most of the characters.
3. PRIDE speaks to the uplifting tone and message of the film as well as playing on the use of the word ‘pride’, now synonymous with the gay pride movement at large.

d) Metaphorical

 

Is there a central metaphor or image running through your script that sums up its themes and or/story?

This can be a tricky one to get right. It needs to feel organic to the script and likely already in there before you think of your title as merely added on it can feel transparent and pretentious in its intention.

Below are some great examples.

1. MOONLIGHT refers to the setting, on the beach at night, of the pivotal moment of the film for the protagonist as well referencing a story told to him as a young boy – ‘In moonlight, black boys look blue’.
2. THE SHINING refers to the telekinetic powers that Dick Hallorann outlines to young Danny speaking to his ability to communicate via the mind. There are so many theories (and not enough time!) out there about what this means in terms of the film’s overall themes but a haunted hotel in which the framework of time seems to break down seems to speak to a place in conversation with itself (that’s my theory anyway!).
3. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. The meaning of this phrase feels most apparent in the sheriff character, played Tommy Lee Jones, who as a veteran of policing the town struggles to keep up with Javier Bardem’s dynamic and ruthless sociopath.

 

e) Breaking Convention

 

Of course these rules don’t always apply and it isn’t always necessary for a movie title to conform to the ideals stated above. There is no clear rule about what a movie title should or should not consist of.

Here is a list of wonderfully bizarre movie titles that fit managed to do this in great form:

1. WHAT’S EATING GILBERT GRAPE? A rhetorical question that is not a quote from the actual film but more a question for the audience to muse over about the main character. Hints at problems for Gilbert Grape by suggesting that something is ‘eating’ at him, giving a potential clue as to the direction of the story.
2. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. A quote from Kirsten Dunst’s character, Mary, who in turn is quoting the poet Alexander Pope. It’s a line that sums up the film’s core theme of memory acting as burden in the context of the painful relationship break ups.
3. DR STRANGELOVE OR HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB. A classic comedic title that perfectly sums up the film’s satirical take on the Cold War. It’s an inherently funny title in both how overextended it is but also in the surreal absurdity of the statement.

ps. BIRDMAN: OR THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE. Another bizarre title whose success is arguable. What does the latter part mean and does it say much about the film’s themes? This is perhaps an example of a title that feels stretches unconvincingly in its desire to be quirky and interesting.

Step 3: Be Critical of Your Title

 

A good way to evaluate your movie title ideas is to be critical. It is not uncommon for a screenplay’s title to change at some point down the production line. However, this does not mean that you shouldn’t put time and effort into generating the best movie title you can.

All of you movie title ideas should be throughly tried, tested and evaluated before your final decision is made.

Here is a guide on do just that:

a) Break it Down:

 

Make a list of as many good and relevant title ideas that you can think of.

Then, break the list down, be brutal; you can’t be sentimental about your movie title. From the list select the three film titles that you believe to be your best.

This may be a good time to revisit the ways of generating the ideas stated above: featuring either character, location, emotion or metaphor influenced movie titles.

b) Get Feedback on Your Title:

 

Ask the people you trust what their opinions on your movie title names are. Give them a brief synopsis of your film too, therefore they will have a greater understanding of what the film is about. This, also will allow them to give you better feedback on your prospective movie titles.

Equally, feedback from strangers can often be helpful too. Give them the same information and you can ensure unbiased, honest feedback.

It could also be helpful to post these ideas to online screenwriting forums, likeminded people with an interest in the film industry are usually more than happy to give other cinephiles feedback on their ideas.

Feedback from professional readers who possess industry knowledge can also be a great option. There are many professional services such as our script coverage services that will provide you with great feedback on any of your movie title ideas.

c) Be Sure, Be Secure

 

It is always a good idea to have some form of a title. Never send out your script with the red flag of ‘working title’. Producers and production companies want to know you have complete confidence in your screenplay, and ‘working title’ can be seen as indecisive.

Take care over deciding your title, when the right movie title idea comes along, you’ll know.

Step 4: Title Page Practices

 

Although there is often dispute about whether a script title should be written in capital letters, or italicised or underlined. The truth is- it really doesn’t matter.

As long as your film title is positioned in the centre of the top of the page, approximately 4 inches from the top, as well as being written in the infamous script font Courier 12- point, it really doesn’t matter. As long as the format and punctuation is correct concerning your movie title, the actual form you write the title in is up to you.

If you need a bit more of an in-depth lesson on screenplay formatting, then our guide to screenplay font is a good place to start.

Formatting your details

 

So you have written your screenplay, come up with a fantastic movie title idea and you’re ready to send. However, one of the most important pieces of information is missing- your details.

There are several industry standard rules to conform to:

Your Name

 

Your name should be inserted four lines below your movie title. Whether you decide to write: “by” or “written by” isn’t an issue, just make sure it is in lowercase.

If the script is based on a someone else’s original work all you need to write include is “based on the novel/stage play by”- whichever one is the relevant material. This should, again, be positioned below your name and in the same style.

Equally, if you worked on the screenplay with another individual, all you need to do is write an ampersand (&) between both of your names. It is important that you write “&” instead of “and”, this is because by writing “and” you are suggesting that one of the writers was commissioned to do a rewrite of the other writers work.

Contact Details

 

Simply add your email address in one of the bottom corners on the title page. You may also add your address and phone number but this isn’t necessary. If you have an agent or manager then add their contact details instead of your own.

It’s important your script is formatted correctly, otherwise this will prove a headache for readers, executives and producers. This all starts with the title. If you need pointers as to what screenwriting software to use (which will help in formatting correctly) then check out are handy guide to the best free and paid screenwriting software.

Step 5: Let it Stew

 

Ideally, your movie title should be one of the first aspects of your script that you think of. However, as discussed above, it’s usually a good idea to have a solid idea of your script and the story it tells before you embark on this. Finding this balancing act can be tricky but it should be something that follows your journey writing the script, always thinking of the title alongside the writing process.

This way you will have time to think about the title, whilst your script develops. Write the title down, imagine it on posters, see how it looks on the title page, say it aloud – these are all techniques that will allow you to see test how much it holds up.

You’ll be lucky if you stumble across the perfect title after a short brainstorming session. You need to let it live with you for as long as you can – if it’s good it will stick with you and you’ll want to say it, write it, imagine it. If it’s not as strong it’ll hold up less and less the more you try it out.

Like your script, it won’t happen overnight.  It might be small but treat your title with the same patience and respect. For more guidance on perfecting the process of screenwriting, do check out our online screenwriting course.

 

In Conclusion:

 

Positive first impressions are crucial. Your movie title is integral to the first impression you give to the reader. It should aim to hint at genre as well as give a general taste of the story.

Remember to format your title page correctly. This is the first visual impression the reader will get of your screenplay.

Your movie title should reflect well upon you as a writer and your control over the narrative, don’t let yourself down.

 

We hope this guide has been helpful to you in your process of creating your perfect movie title ideas!

 

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