Screenwriting : Character names by Surina Nel

Just Roger is fine. Whatever you pick, be consistent.

Agreed ^

Agreed. You just want the actor to know he is in the scene,

I would have dropped Jolly in the middle

Craig “Griffo” Griffiths.

Then I would use whatever you are using to describe him in Dialogue. It would just make it easier on the reader. Characters can still use the “Griffo”, but people tend not to use names when talking anyway.

Hope that helps.

RODGER is his dialog header, some other character may call him Jolly Roger in dialog if it's important.

Roger "Jolly Roger" McMullens throughout the whole script is what I'd do. I think it's best to stick to English writing rules when in doubt.

Rodger. You have stated in the description his full name and nickname. If he is only referred to by Jolly then I would use only Jolly, however if mostly he is Rodger then you should use Rodger. If It's McMullen then you use that. It's like in the physical descriptions you do that first when introducing the character. You don't then waste space reiterating those parts about them afterwards. The reader already knows what they need to know.

Oh yeah CJ, I left out the Officer in my example but I was just demonstrating the English rule. It is pretty much the only way to write it correctly as far as English is concerned.

Who says that script writing must be like writing an English class paper? (It ain't!)

Whatever Doug, you still have to use commas and full stops to write a screenplay, the rules apply.

Also if you want the reader to understand your script it's best to write it in the English format we all learned at school. Thank goodness we have a universal script format and English to help us understand each other.

And since you seem to know other ways of incorporating a person's nickname into their real names on paper without using English rules, do please enlighten me... I'm curious.

A script must have a certain rhythm and flow to make it quickly readable. There will be some punctuation for sure but there will be ellipses, trailing off and truncated dialog too.

The audience can only know what they see and hear - they do not read the script. The actor playing 'Rodger' needs to know his lines and how to deliver them - but his character's nickname is not that important to the Actor. If it's important to the story, some other character should vocalize in dialog.

Watch some old 'Dirty Harry" movies and read the scripts. Watch Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - how do you learn the Sundance nickname?

Hi Surina,

Me personally...I'd go with JOLLY ROGER in the Character Name line. I like that, and it's not going to slow my reader down nor should it negatively affect them. I could see how some might just want to go with ROGER, though.

In Snatch, Guy Ritchie uses FRANKY FOUR FINGERS, BAD BOY LINCOLN, GORGEOUS GEORGE and BTT (for BULLET TOOTH TONY) in the Character Name line throughout the script. All of those characters are referred to by their name at some points in the script, and it's never the fully titled name. If it's good enough for Guy Ritchie....Oi!

And here's a link to Snatch for those who may be interested:

https://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/snatch.pdf

Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, Surina Six Knives! :)

Doug, how is a nickname not important to the actor? It becomes part of the dialogue.

Also, the Sundance Kid's nickname is introduced the way its introduced in the script for emphasis, in this thread we are discussing general action writing where Surina wants to use both the character's nickname and real names in the script so your examples are for a lack of a better word, irrelevant.

Bill, that is dangerous waters guy... because characters like Freddy Four Fingers are referred to by their nicknames throughout the script and only by their their real names ones or twice.

Surina says Roger is called "Jolly Roger" by his friends and colleagues, what if there are family members who call him Roger for the most part of the script or characters he encounters who call him Mr McMullens, it could get confusing.

Guy Ritchie is a pro, he knew that Freddy Four Fingers wouldn't be going into a bank and be called Mr all the time. I think it really depends on the script if that method works or not.

Ally: I hear you. Maybe Surina can clarify how much of the story world exists in the world where people call him "Jolly", (or maybe even "Jol" for short), and how much doesn't. It might make it a bit more clearer.

Me personally...I grew up in a world where everybody had nicknames. Some people are called by their nicknames by mostly everyone in their inner circles - family, spouses, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. And some aren't. So knowing a bit more about the world of Jolly might make an answer more agreeable to all. (Maybe.)

Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, Ally!

You're absolutely right Bill, the only way to conclude whether Guy Ritchie's method would work for Surina's script is if we knew if Roger has any formal interactions where he isn't referred to by his nickname.

Thanks for wishing me well. All the best to you too.

hi all thank you for all the replies. let me help clear things up, maybe my question wasn't all that clear.

Mostly everyone calls him Jolly Roger, not only is it his nickname, but its also a character trait as he a very lovable, jovial guy, much loved by all.

My question was more if I refer to him in the action line, do i have to use the whole "Jolly" Roger McMullens . For example:

Roger follows the sound, down the corridor, instead of "Jolly" Roger follows the sound.

It is a rather serious situation they are in, and though he is a goodhearted jovial person, the situation doesn't call for "jolly' as they are on a murder scene.

Hope this brings some clarity

If it's clear that you're talking about Roger in the action lines I would just use "he." But if you have to specify, I would just say Roger.

Surina, if nobody addresses him formally throughout the script then you can call him whatever works. I just thought the name McMullens was relevant since you mentioned it.

All the best dear.

As an ex-Reader, we skim scripts and 3 names is two names too many in description sentences.

Also, don’t use names with the same/similar letters & syllables. Mark, Mike, Mitch look the same on the page when Readers skim.