Screenwriting : How do you guys come up with titles? by Craig D Griffiths

I would go pretty much with what Owen suggests. I have three scripts on the stove at the moment and the titles have changed quite a few times. What I do is to keep the logline in mind and lots of times a flash comes through that makes sense to me and seems a little more catchy. Sister/drugs/better life/morality: it's in there somewhere!!

Thanks all. There is a parallel between her and her boss. She has done a deal to cut him out, which has triggered all her problems. While her problems have flowed up stream and now have become issues for her boss with his suppliers. She is desparate not to repeat her mum's mistakes. But all her efforts just brings more trouble to them, just like their mum did.

I am thinking of looking around theme, location, people, relationship or traits. But everything you guys have said is triggering thought.

Craig - see if it's suitable if one of the characters can rephrase a famous quote -- a quote that really sticks, sizzles -- - then rift on those words.

Like Owen said, it'll just come to you. I spent so long trying to figure out a title for a script I've been working on for half a year now, but once I stopped trying and just focused on completing the script, it naturally came to me.

Dying to...Survive, Live...something...Death...something...Gift of Death...Gift of Dying...Angel of Life...Just play around with the theme and words the represent it, Death, Gift, Living, Gift of Life, Life by Death...eventually you will like something.

The myth of the phoenix just came to mind. Dying and then something new being born out of the ashes. Maybe putting phoenix in the title. Sister Phoenix?

Possibly something with "sacrifice" or "dysfunction". Or maybe sacrifice and lamb. Just throwing out words for you.

"Artemis Undone" - although this would depend on your overall story line, but, using the Greek goddess of hunt and her singular drive, this might work as a title.

Some awful title suggestions. Craig, nobody knows your title because we don't know your story from beginning to end. Know the story. Explain it in 2 or 3 words or less. Something the audience can 'see" without much thinking. La La Land, Arrival, Hidden Figures, Lion, Batman V Superman, Captain America: Civil War. Once you know your story, the title will write itself. (That's how it's done in America. European movies have deeper meaning in their titles).

i will say i think all the title suggestions here are pretty awful, sorry. i like to brainstorm by making a list of everything connected to the story/characters/theme, maybe your fave lines of dialogue or a reference made or something symbolic without being cheesy and then see what fits together that evokes TONE and meaning.. Anything with the words "Deadly, Desires, Passion, etc" is prob a NO. The best titles, depending on your genre, are ones woth double meanings or deeper meanings. if youre writing a comedy, it should ring funny. titles are hard but make no mistake, a great title will not only get your script read, but it could even take the place of your logline.

Inception is my favorite title. So badass.

Thanks everyone. Interesting ideas and processes I could employ. The title can be functional yet peak interest. It can also kill things, which is what Tim Robbins says about Shawshank Redemption. Nothing at the movies, record breaking video sales.

I don't use any process, they just come to me before I start writing, during writing or once I've finished.

Well I think Dan and Danny's suggestions are "awful". And they have cooties. And my dad could beat up their dads.

I'm with Pierre (amigo) they come to me, usually, my title is associated with my theme. Good question and hope this helps. Oh and try not make it too lengthy.

See if anything in the urban slang dictionary helps http://urbanthesaurus.org/synonyms/drug%20dealer. The link takes you to loads of terms supposedly for drug dealers. Or think about the tools of the dealers trade, scales or balance, weights, folds, wraps, bags, etc and see if any of them trigger a thought. Or think about death itself or her decision: And just to help you on your way here's a couple that entered my mind as I wrote this; Grave Decision, C Saw or Seesaw.

Hi Craig,

Looks like you've got lots of useful tips, so hopefully one or more of them will be useful to you. I personally like to use something related to the theme, alliteration, a line that one of the characters says or brainstorm. Maybe when you've got a top 10 or top 5 list you could post them on Stage 32 to get feedback? Good luck with the project. Cheers, Paul

The essence of the story in 1, 2 or 3 words.

Just call it "Better to Die"

A film in a similar vein / tone - Divines - could have been called Dounia, Maimouna, Paris Streets, or Shanty Towns but those were characters & locations...you want exactly what William Martell says, "The essence of the story." From your OP I have three suggestions and one question.

1.) Better Off Dead - (Sounds like the protagonist would be, as well as everyone else. Savage Holland anyone?)

2.) My Mother's Daughter - (Gold, free of charge.)

3.) Lay Me Down

Q: You said a story... Is it a completed script? Is it good, great, gotta have it? Has anyone read it? What were their suggestions? Sorry did I say one question? I meant 5.

Check out David Brier, the Branding Maven. He always provides a unique viewpoint on solving creative problems.

sometimes i try to find the title in a line of dialogue that i particularly like. with titles, i find that you will know it when you hear it. good luck!

My story is complete, but the script isn't. I am doing my "thing". Individual passes focusing on stuff. No one has read it, not till it's done.

A good title is a great benefit, I normally don't worry about it. But I am fond of this story and I want to do the right thing by it. I made a short about "Cloning Jesus" which was called that during production, ended up being called "Blood Brother".

@wesley you're right it is gold.

I think Cloning Jesus is a much better title than Blood Brother. A few of my books have gone through title changes. Some inspired by myself, others suggested by people. Best I could come up with for yours was "The Ultimate Gift". Though I'm sure others will have suggestions that are much better.

Listen to some music, songs that would go well with the story, before you know it, the title will come to you. Creating a catchy title is almost as hard as writing out the log line. The title should be what the overall story is about, the last thing you want is the audience reading the title then the movie is no relation to it, that would be a WTF moment

If your story was on the news what would the headline title be?

"Womans name" (plus) Decisions

Or (???) + Decisions

Whats the setting btw?

And why is it better to die?

Title occupies the most valuable real estate in your script. It's the first thing your reader will see. Use only words you need.

If your story is crusader-driven, try using your protagonist's name. For example: Philomena. Erin Brockovich. Michael Clayton. Ocean's Eleven.

If it's plot or situation-centric, try featuring the location. My gut feeling is famous/fabled names/places attract eyeballs, but occasionally the gray matter seeks out the obscure. e.g., Troy. Mystic River. Mystic Pizza. Air Force One.

If that doesn't work, try mining your conflict; a la Die Hard. A Few Good Men. In Her Shoes.

NOTE: Conflicted characters tend to hook A-listers. George Clooney. Judi Dench. Julia Roberts. Brad Pitt.

Personally, because your story deals with drug themes, the word 'CLEAN' speaks to me; because it's, er... clean. ;)

On a title page, it's easy to visualize. I can see it AND it ignites story questions in my mind.

Paired with visuals, it implies sacrifice; which is what deep love is really about. (Sometimes.)

Best wishes, Craig. Hope this helps!! ; )

@Shawn one part of her story is: her mum was a junkie that always did things that made their life worse, but believed she was doing good things. Amy is looking after sister. Amy sells drugs and does other stuff for a local dealer. Her ex-girlfriend wants her to leave. During the movie she realises it would be better for her baby sister if they leave. But unfortunately she has screwed everything up. If she lives her sister will be caught in the same trap Amy's mum left Amy in. If Amy dies her sister can leave and live with Amy's ex, breaking the cycle. Hope this make sense.

I wish I were better at titles. I wish Eugene O'Neill had revealed his title development secrets: Mourning Becomes Electra, Long Day's Journey into Night, Moon for the Misbegotten, Strange Interlude, The Iceman Cometh, etc.

The story reads like "Hell or High Water" with a drug dealer.

Outback Aussie or USA setting?

@Dan no where in particular. It's one of those suburbs just outside a big city. 30 years previous it may have had some small manufacturers. But they are gone. It's a mix of broken factories and cheap rent. Low economic outlook. Lots of social (government housing). In Sydney it would be around Mt Druitt or Miller. There is a voice of reason character that she is in contact with, her ex-girlfriend. So her bad choices are even more stupid as she was advised of alternatives. Want to Hell or High Water. Didn't get a theatrical release down here.

You could call it "for Jane" (where Jane is the name of the younger sister). Or "blood ties". Or "sibling". Or as someone suggested focus on one significant detail of the story, a character's line etc. Good luck!

@Dave 'Cloning Jesus' felt heavy handed. When a clone is made it isn't a copy of the person. Technically it is an identical twin. This point is made in the film, so I called it ' Blood Brothers' because brother born from blood. It's no YouTube, it's not bad, I am a crap actor.... Lucky I can write lol.