In one of my screenplays, in the beginning, there is a scene where two characters, father and son, fight together just for training...How can I name this character to show that they are a family? If I name him FATHER or the CHARACTER'S FATHER how do we know he is his father? It would work in a novel for instance, but would it in a script?...And if I name him SOLDIER, this doesn't show that they're related...
Screenwriting : How should I name/write this character in a screenplay? by Victor Titimas
How should I name/write this character in a screenplay?
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Its not exactly clear to me what your issue is; If you want the audience to immediately realise a father and son are fight training. First way a voice over "my dad trained me to fight" second way voice over "i trained my son" Third way voice over narrator "the father trained his son to fight" fourth way. Boy refers to dad during the training as in "come on dad give me a chance" fifth way Dad refers to his son during the fight " Son when you get a bit faster you will be ready to leave the nest and take up the battle for real." sixth way they wear T shirts dad has one with "DAD" on it son has one with "SON" on it. Seventh way they have some other dad son written "badge" There are of course unlimited possibilities... If you are more concerned as to what name to give a character, then the important thing to remember is that the audience will not know his name until someone calls him by it, or it becomes obvious from what we hear or see on screen.
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It's through dialogue. Just introduce them as Jack and Tom and then later we will find out through dialogue. Or if the kid is young enough we would just assume.
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Victor, think about the people watching the movie. They will not be reading the screenplay so they will only know they are father/son through dialogue. So in your screenplay use the characters name - if the character is called "Soldier" use that.
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Almost reveal with action and dialogue. Older man messes his youthful counterparts hair either in dismay or with playful smile.. Older man- You are not ready for these footsteps or Older man- I believe you're ready for these footsteps. It may not give exact conveyance of father and son but gives the audience the idear. Just an idear.