You initial reaction to a title

Winterchase · Dec 7, 2005

The working title to a script I'm working on is SCREW YOU, SIR! It speaks volumes both about the main character and the story, but is it likely to offend? Is it maybe over the top? The way it's used today, apparently people don't think of it as profanity, rather potential "fighting words."

I'd appreciate comments on keeping it - or not - as the "official" title.

Ragnarok · Dec 7, 2005

My first reaction

is it'd be more of a scene title if it existed... It tells about the mindset of the character at a particular moment and tends to trim what led to it and what will come next. Or else it's about a gentleman with anger management problems throughout the movie (j/k).

To me, a cheap attempt like "Mr Whateverhisname's had enough" has more of a dynamic vibe as there's an idea of pressure building up and a situation bound to evolve.

Also, it'd be good if you could give hints on the context of the story. Right now, the two options I have in mind are the character is either a butler or a rookie soldier. And it probably is neither.

My two cents...

dpaterso · Dec 7, 2005

Think how it's going to look in the subject line of your query letters.

-Derek
-> * <- Click on this magic star to be transported to my website. Ruby slippers optional.
________________________________________________
I don't think there's gonna be a return journey, Mr. Frodo.

Optimus · Dec 7, 2005

Well, considering the fact that the spec, "Another Bullsh!t Night in Suck City" sold within the past year, anything's possible. I doubt your title will offend, but it's not nearly as catchy or memorable as the one I just quoted.

Optimus · Dec 7, 2005

stegosaurus said:
and speaking of which: another Bullsh!t Night in suck city is hardly a spec...it was written by the guy who directed American Pie and based on a memoir. And it's still a cool title.

of course this is from the guy who wrote: Cancer Blows...and actually had people leave me feedback just to razz the title.

Ah, it's been so long I was fuzzy on the details.

However, it's still a great title (ABNISS).

Winterchase · Dec 8, 2005

TKS

Ragnarok said:
is it'd be more of a scene title if it existed... It tells about the mindset of the character at a particular moment and tends to trim what led to it and what will come next. Or else it's about a gentleman with anger management problems throughout the movie (j/k).

To me, a cheap attempt like "Mr Whateverhisname's had enough" has more of a dynamic vibe as there's an idea of pressure building up and a situation bound to evolve.

Also, it'd be good if you could give hints on the context of the story. Right now, the two options I have in mind are the character is either a butler or a rookie soldier. And it probably is neither.

My two cents...

Thanks for the input, Ragnarok. You've given me a lot to think about.

And you're right; the character is neither a butler or soldier, just a kid who has had enough of the BS rules and regulations.

Winterchase · Dec 8, 2005

An idea

dpaterso said:
Think how it's going to look in the subject line of your query letters.

-Derek
-> * <- Click on this magic star to be transported to my website. Ruby slippers optional.
________________________________________________
I don't think there's gonna be a return journey, Mr. Frodo.

Why not make it the total text of the query instead of the subject line? Yeah, that'd do it! :guns:

Winterchase · Dec 8, 2005

I know what you mean....

stegosaurus said:
... of course this is from the guy who wrote: Cancer Blows...and actually had people leave me feedback just to razz the title.

A true story: A few years ago a hurricane named Bob, or some male name, ripped through South Carolina and the (elderly, albeit naive) lady editor in the small town of Clinton, SC used the slug line; BOB BLOWS CLINTON. The world's press beat a path to her door the next day, the telephone lines melted, the paper's computer crashed, and Monica got her nose bent out of shape over being upstaged.

I'm curious about something you wrote. You said, "... had people leave me feedback (about the title)...." Was that off your website?

Master Bedroom · Dec 8, 2005

Isn’t there a movie called, Take this job and shove it?
I like the title, keep it.

StephieM · Dec 8, 2005

It depends. You said it was about a kid. Is it going to be a kid movie? If it's an adult movie I say keep it, for a kid movie toss it. It's not a bad word, but myself as a parent would think twice before letting my kids see it.

Funny story. In "The Cat in the Hat" they had a scene where the Cat tripped over a garden hoe and then called the hoe, a 'dirty hoe'. From the other room I heard my kids chanting 'dirty hoe, dirty hoe, dirty hoe'. I about lost it. Of course then after they thought it was even more funny, so now they say it all the time. I'm just waiting for the day the school calls and tells me my six year old son just called his teacher a dirty hoe. So I've been kind of watching what goes into their little ears, something like "screw you", isn't something I want my kids to say in school.

Of course the kid in your script could be a teenager, if so then your title would be okay.

Steph

Rainy Night · Dec 8, 2005

stegosaurus said:
No it was during the contest here. two folks told me that it was a horrible title.

But it was a good script... I hope you are planning on writing it.

scripter1 · Dec 9, 2005

When there are scripts out there

titled Cocksuckers the bar for offensive titles as been set pretty high.

or low, depending on your POV.

You initial reaction to a title

Winterchase

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