So I have actually written and rewritten (three times) a 10-minute family comedy but now I am left with a problem and a question.
1. How do I come up with a title? I know I want something catchy that will make someone want to know more, but I am lost on this one.
2. Do I actually need a real name for my characters? An actual name is only spoken once, at the very end, and as far as I am concerned those performing it can say what ever they want, it has no relevance to the play.
I can't answer the title question. That's totally up to you.
As a producer, I often have a show with a 5 - 20 plays. I'm not crazy about He, She, Girl 1, Bird A, etc. It looks awful to have a program with - Jenny Motz is playing girl one. When I format my program, because so many playwrights do this, I put the name of the play, the playwright, director, and then list the actors performing the play - just to avoid having all those nothing kind of names.
From an actor's point of view, I think it's a bit dismissive. You may not use the name aloud, but they do, in the process. I just directed a short monologue with no name. The actress created one. It give them a fuller sense of who the character is.
I agree with Paddy, give them a name, why not! As she said, if your play goes anywhere you want people to be able to put a name to a character, even if they don't speak the name themselves in the work. It's easy to forget nothing names such as: Girl1, Girl2, SmallMan1. Also, for me at least, creating the names and the title is one of the most fun, creative parts in 'polishing' a work.
If you need help with a title, I'd love to give suggestions!
I also struggle with titles. I want something that people will remember. Often in titling songs I use the word that is repeated the most within the chorus/the catchiest part of the song, but I am really stuck on titles for plays. Any suggestions? Should I go with the name of the song that stands out the most in the production?
What I do is to find a word or words in the play that are relevant to what your work is about. It's also nice if the word or words are mentioned in the play. That's becoming very popular.
Just wanted to say "Hi" and let you know that I plan to read the entire topic and participate in this dialogue.
I'm writing currently a Jewish musical - it's like history of Jewish people, like "Ugly Duckling" story - mostly happening in the last 100 years. Will use mostly already existing Yiddish and Hebrew hit songs (Hava Nagila, Tumbalalaika etc.) translated/adapted to English plus several Christian Gospel swings.
I think it is easier to visualise a person /character if you give them a name. It helps to form a picture of the person rather than an anonymous Man 1 Woman 2 etc
What is the best way to write an emphasized sentence? If my character always talks in contractions, and now I want a very glaring statement what is the best way to write it? Underline? italics? Period.between.words? Bold? Example: Mom says for the 10th time "Go to bed". I don't want her shouting so is "GO TO BED" ok or is "Go. To. Bed" better?
