Hello, Fellow ‘32 Scriptos! Have you ever had the urge in your screenwriting journeys to name-drop personal friends or favorite obscure institutions / places into your work? Please share by listing your screenplay’s title, “real life” character name / place, and the true connection of each. Here are a few of my favorites—
1. HORROR-FEST
Harry Brandt: Harry was a college pal of mine. His role in my screenplay: Hollywood film producer / murder victim.
2. SOUTH OF SOUTH BOSTON… (VIRGINIA)
Stone Brickhouse. Stone was a student athlete in my high school during my former teaching career. Fun Fact— His middle name is “Red.” His role: Quarterback boyfriend to rambunctious redneck cheerleader, Summer Winters.
3. JAMES DEAN: CROSSING THE FINISH LINE—
“Dr. Bill’s Pet Infirmary.” Dr. Bill is my dog’s vet and this is the name of his place of business. It’s role:
Jimmy Dean attempts to hand over his newly-acquired kitten (a gift from fellow cast mate, Elizabeth Taylor) to actress friend Jeanette Miller to care for during the weekend so he can attend a road race he’s entered. Janette stands her ground with the a heated response: “Nope. Not here. Take him to Dr. Bill’s Pet Infirmary two blocks away.”
Photo: Brock getting screamed at by some guy at the AMC 16 Theater, Burbank, CA.
That’s all for now, Fellow Scriptos.
Brock’s thumbs have left his Iphone.
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Correction: In my description of SOUTH OF SOUTH BOSTON, “Stone Brickhouse. Brick” should read “Stone Brickhouse. Stone.”
Hmmmmm. Couldn’t find the edit button. Does one actually exist?
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Hey, Bill Brock. Stone Brickhouse and Summer Winters are my favorites from those names. I've wanted to name-drop personal friends, family, and favorite things and people in my work, but either out of respect for them or I didn't know if it was ok legally (it might be ok), I didn't.
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There's a downward arrow above the time you made the post, Bill Brock (to the right of your post). Click "Edit Post" in the drop-down menu.
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I have a friend who tried a few times to get herself and her family cast together as extras in a film but she was never successful. So I put the four of them in one of my scripts. Not quite the same as seeing oneself on screen but the next best thing.
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I pretty much never name my characters after people I know/have known in real life, it feels wrong xD unless of course I happen to really like the name.
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Got it, Stone Brickhouse, not Brick. That correction definitely makes sense, and the character already sounds memorable. The real-life connection to one of your former student athletes makes the story even more interesting. Looking forward to learning more about Stone and Summer.
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Thompson Beyonce Thank you, Thompson. Agreed. Summer Winters is also based on one of my students, but her first name was Wynter and she didn’t possess redneck roots. The high school teacher’s name is Donnie Wilkes Booth, a distant relative of “You Know Who.”
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Banafsheh Esmailzadeh I don’t make it a habit. I’ve only explored a few times if the name was fitting or as a tribute to a friend or location.
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Richard Buzzell That’s awesome, Rich. What a nice gesture on your part. Good on you! : )
Great idea
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Maurice Vaughan Glad you like those names, Maurice. Yeah, Summer Winters always makes me laugh. Not too worried about possible legal woes. I’m quite certain there is more than one Harry Brandt In the world.
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Bill Brock Ha, this is such a fun thread, Brock! I love that Dr. Bill's Pet Infirmary made it into a James Dean script, that's such a specific, memorable detail. I've definitely been tempted to sneak in a few real names and places myself, there's something satisfying about giving an inside joke to people who'd actually get it. Thanks for sharing these, made my scroll today.