SEX

Enigma · Jun 13, 2005

Now that I have your attention; is the "rule" still in effect that you use last names for male characters (in the heading for dialogue), like "SMITH," except for the lead, like "DAVID," and first names all the way around for women?

It seems logical to use first names for male good guys, last names for the bad guys, and maybe the same for the ladies.

I'm looking at a script where the character's full name is known and used in several places, but in 99% of the dialogue, his last is never used yet the heading of the speech always uses his last name. Example:

SUSAN
Where's Sam?

SMYTHESONVILLE
Here I am.

SUSAN
How do you spell your name?

SMYTHESONVILLE
S, A, M.

Using a first name suggests "friend" whereas the last indicates aggression or dislike for that person.

Any comments?

Mac H. · Jun 13, 2005

I've never heard of this 'rule'.

What would be the point? What if it's a movie about an Italian mob family, where the entire family has the same last name ?

Just do whatever seems the most helpful.

The only time I've worried about it is where I've wanted to emphasis a particular character trait. To pick an example from one of my own scripts - I have an old Australian Aboriginal from the last century, with a typical Aboriginal name of the era - ALFRED DOOMADGEE.

If I referred to him as 'ALFRED' throughout the script, I'd keep thinking he's an English butler. So I refer to him as 'DOOMADGEE' which keeps the visual image consistent with the dialogue.

You can try and use the form of their name that fits in best with their character. For example, in a war drama, the two characters 'Tommy Jenson' & 'Benjamin Smythe' give me a totally different expectation to 'CAPTAIN JENSON' & 'PRIVATE BENNY' - even though they are exactly the same people !

Mac

Joe Calabrese · Jun 13, 2005

I too have never heard of this.

A name used should be appropriate for the script and is determined on a case by case basis.

If the last name sounds better than the first, then use the last or visa-versa. Use the name the person is called.

IE. If John Smith is always refered to by other characters as Smith, then use that vs. John.

Names are also used in context with the genre.

IE. Mr. White, Mr. Brown, Mr. Pink were used in Resevoir dogs. They all used only their last names (fictitious) for anonminity sake.

Indy was used in Raiders of the Lost Ark, sounds more adventurous than Jones or Indiana.

terryewalker · Jun 13, 2005

It doesn't matter if you use SMITH or JOHN.

JOHN SMITH mid 20's drinks his beer from a mug. Glances over to the barman.

SMITH
Same again please.

Or JOHN SMITH mid 20's drinks his beer from a mug. Glances over to the barman.

JOHN
Same again please.

I have not seen of heard of a any rule.

Enigma · Jun 13, 2005

Thanks

Maybe I'd better stop drinking.

maestrowork · Jun 13, 2005

Never heard of that one. The reason sometimes last names are used is that, well, they're referred to by their last names, such as cops, FBI agents, etc.

Joe Calabrese · Jun 13, 2005

Of course, if you have a JOHN SMITH and a JOHN YOUNG, one should be JOHN and the other YOUNG or use full names throughout.

dpaterso · Jun 13, 2005

Enigma, what you describe sounds like a pretty sensible rule of thumb to employ. Why not do it this way?

I spent a moment or ten flicking through my scripts trying to figure out how I decide these things.

If the characters are cops, agents, military, some kind of rank, they tend to be surnames. Ditto hitmen, loan sharks, underworld types, etc.

If the script has a comic or light tone or protag is a young character then I use first names.

Female characters, I tend to use first names, tho' I notice with a current WIP that a cold-blooded agent character is known by her surname.

The main deciding factor may simply be how other people address them. If everyone calls the protag John then that's what I'll call him too.

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

Enigma · Jun 13, 2005

TKS

I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH HOW YOU DO IT; GOOD PEOPLE, FIRST NAMES. BAD PEOPLE, LAST NAMES.

dpaterso said:
Enigma, what you describe sounds like a pretty sensible rule of thumb to employ. Why not do it this way?

I spent a moment or ten flicking through my scripts trying to figure out how I decide these things.

If the characters are cops, agents, military, some kind of rank, they tend to be surnames. Ditto hitmen, loan sharks, underworld types, etc.

If the script has a comic or light tone or protag is a young character then I use first names.

Female characters, I tend to use first names, tho' I notice with a current WIP that a cold-blooded agent character is known by her surname.

The main deciding factor may simply be how other people address them. If everyone calls the protag John then that's what I'll call him too.

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

Boo_Radley · Jun 13, 2005

Your question made me reflect back on my days as an infantry man in the Army. The higher ups, such as my First Sergeant, Batallion Sergeant Major or Batallion Commander, who saw me as nothing more than a cog in the wheel never called me anything but "Turner".

My friends, such as my squad-mates, team mates and my platoon sergeant who saw me as a person and not just another "face" called me "Lon".

So, with that as a note, if it's a main character I want the reader to remember and feel a personal connection to, I use the first name. Doesn't matter if the character is a weasel, a dirty cop, a crime lord or a baker. If they're important and feeling a connection to them is vital, first name all the way.

Lesser figures, that is, those who show up only once in a while and have some importance but not a lot get the last-name-only treatment.

There are exceptions, but that's basically how I do it.

maestrowork · Jun 13, 2005

Mulder and Scully (X-Files) were usually referred to by their last names, but once in a while, they called each other Fox or Dana. How are they written in the script? They were both protagonists and the audience had emotional attachment to them.

Boo_Radley · Jun 13, 2005

They were professional federal agents and usually only referred to one another by first names during more personal and intimate moments. Even when in the service, my friends called me "Turner" until we were off the clock because we had to appear professional and disciplined.

Joe Calabrese · Jun 13, 2005

I can't believe were looking to make a rule out of this.

I believe it is a matter of style. As long as it is unique, memorable and constitant use whatever works and feels right for your character. First, Last or both.

maestrowork · Jun 13, 2005

Boo_Radley said:
They were professional federal agents and usually only referred to one another by first names during more personal and intimate moments. Even when in the service, my friends called me "Turner" until we were off the clock because we had to appear professional and disciplined.

In this case, the characters would be written as MULDER, SCULLY and TURNER because of the story. They can call each other Fox, Dana or Lon, but if I were the screenwriter, I'd probably use their last names in the script.

In Top Gun, for example, Maverick is called by his first name, last name, call sign, etc. But in the context of the story, I think MAVERICK was used (have to check the actual script).

But if it's a romance/drama and the guy happens to be in the military, I'd probably use LON instead of TURNER.

Like Joe said, it's not a RULE. Do what feels right to the story.

The ImagiNation · Jun 13, 2005

i have read one script where the script kept switching from the present to the past. they used the character's first name for the flashback scenes and the last for the present scene.

this was easy to track and a whole lot better than have to read "YOUNG JOHN" like you do is other script.s

Enigma · Jun 13, 2005

Sounds practical to me

maestrowork said:
In Top Gun, for example, Maverick is called by his first name, last name, call sign, etc. But in the context of the story, I think MAVERICK was used (have to check the actual script).

But if it's a romance/drama and the guy happens to be in the military, I'd probably use LON instead of TURNER.
QUOTE]

This sounds good enough to go with. You do mean it like(?):

MAVERICK
I fly little airplanes.

I've settled on what I might call the person if I were to meet him. Good guys, people I like, someone I might respect, then by the first name, even if they turn out to be a bad guy in a surprise ending. If I don't like 'em, their last. Dr., be it M.D. or PhD, I think the title, followed by the last name, would be approperate. I just want to be consistant with the usage.

nganok · Jun 15, 2005

Boo_Radley said:
They were professional federal agents and usually only referred to one another by first names during more personal and intimate moments. Even when in the service, my friends called me "Turner" until we were off the clock because we had to appear professional and disciplined.

I just wrote a script with feds in it. I just used AGENT SMITH and AGENT DUNSTON, itgets repetitive but it distinguishes them nicely especially if their personalities are described in detail thoughout

Enigma · Jun 16, 2005

Feds

nganok said:
I just wrote a script with feds in it. I just used AGENT SMITH and AGENT DUNSTON, itgets repetitive but it distinguishes them nicely especially if their personalities are described in detail thoughout

For some God unknown reason, all feds, including "spooks" (intel types), and most state boys - anybody not in a uniform - refer to themselves as "Special Agent." In official (government) report form, the title is shortened to S/A. In most cases, the head man is referred to in writing and speech as (the) SAC (Special Agent in Charge.) It's pronounced sack. BTW, to leave off Special when one S/A is talking about another S/A usually means he's showing contempt for the person he's talking to or about.

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