Words and Worlds

[MystiCarly]

Hello :) I thought it time to formally introduce myself. I'm Carly, hello board. I've been lurking for 6 months or so, and am so impressed by the wealth of knowledge that most of you have. It's a bit daunting to jump into the conversation knowing all you expert screenwriters will be disecting and analyzing everything. Bear with me, I'm lousy speller... I know, I know I should know better...And I do use Spell-checker. Just don't be too hard on me? k:)

Anyhoo, I'm 18 and a college student, majoring in cinema (of course). I've just begun writing my second screenplay. If you haven't guessed, I write mostly fantasy. Not so much Star-Wars, sci-fi, light sabres, etc... More like unicorns, dragons, magic etc...

I've run into a bit of a headache with this current script. Maybe you experts can help me out. I have a whole bunch of names, words, terms, places I have to think up for this "world". I've dealt with most of the characters' names. It's things like political parties and "religions" that give me trouble. Actually I have 2 Kingdoms I have to name at the moment. I have been guilty of using the Fantasy Name Generator at times... I've also used "pet's names", friend's names spelled backwords, mutations of english words... Anyone here have any "methods" for naming things. I try to make my names have meaning. Also, maybe you might know, what is George Lucas' method? I think the word "Jedi" is an amazing made-up word. It's short. Memorable. And so darn cool. Anyone know how he thought up THAT word?

Thanks for the help:)

[PteranoDon]

Hi Carly. Is your pony named Misty?

I use anagrams alot, or even partial anagrams. Go to a graveyard and look at family names on headstones; unusual last names can make interesting first names. Baby name books that have name meanings and origins are useful, too.

A book on poetry should cover how the various consonant-vowel combinations project feeling. Just by the way the names sound, we know that Turok is a warrior, Luke is a hero, Ariel is a princess, Indiana is a lovable scoundrel. Bob is an idiot; Jack is a leader. Your names have to capture the appropriate essence of the character.

One more thought; if you've got a whole bunch of things to name, maybe it will be to much for the audience to remember. Sure the Star Wars movies get away with this, but I think few other fantasy movies do.

Finally, my advice to all young cinematically inclined young people is....GO MAKE A MOVIE! Write, produce, direct, film, and edit a 5 minute short that tells an interesting story.

Good Luck

[2fyn]

I just have two words for ya' "bastardized Latin". Latin words are interesting, not necessarily names, make up some variations from two or more Latin words to make a name you like, Slavic words combined with Latin words will give you an interesting outcome... or even Gaelic, try any combo of really old languages.

PS- and about being the rookie on the block think, don't feel weird about it, I'm in the SAME boat, but luckily people here seem to be patient with people like us.

good luck with your script,

2fyn

[ksk2]

...if yer gonna suggest Gaelic, then better to suggest Scots than Irish, and be specific RE such. Scots is more phonetic and easier on the ear than Irish (though I prefer the sound of Irish myself..)

And as for Slavic, good call. Best opening greeting I ever got to say on a date was "Dobra Dun, mu dobrea izglaedna devoychitza".

But the Cyrillic is a mess... :lol

[jetty]

Hi Mysti (like that name). Good name hunting. :)

jetty

[Couchguy]

One word of advice for an 18 year old film major from a 30-something ex-film major....get a different major. Minor in film to learn your craft, but make sure you graduate with a degree that can earn you some money and get you a real career while you're trying to break into films. Marketing, business, Web engineering...something like that. Film degrees aren't worth the paper they are printed on...studios and production companies only care about talent, and you can hone that with classes in your minor. Maybe you can intern as a junior or senior to make connections. But whatever you do, have a fallback position--and that fallback should be your major course of study. (Yes, it's ironic, but that's life.)

Your pal,
Couchguy

[Couchguy]

And I'd like to point out that while George Lucas hit a bingo with Jedi and Darth Vader, he also came up with "Anakin"...and even worse, the embarrassing nickname..."Ani".

Annie? What the f*&@??

Your pal,
Couchguy

[Le Vampyre]

Hello MystiCarly.

Without babbling to the point where you'll just skip down the page and scan. I'll keep it simple: Mythology!

Don't limit yourself to any particular geographical origins. Greek, Egyption etc. Use the lot. Not only do they sound cool (and unreal) but each character served a purpose and displayed a human characteristic. Wickedness, love, honesty etc.
You follow?
Obviously using more than a couple is bad news, yet to represent a trait of your hero/ine is always an idea.

Apparently The Matrix does this. Dunno, not seen it.

Also in keeping with the name-represents-a-character ideal.

Check the Bible contents page. Stephen King does it alot. It subconciously gives viewer/reader an idea of what you're saying.

HOWEVER there IS a line between subtlety and corny.

I once heard the Jedi backstory - Is something to do with the initials J.D.I?

Very Good Luck.
I'd be very intrested to hear the story.

Oh God, that sounds ominous don't it? Forget it, good luck anyway. About time somebody resserected the long-lost *magic* in cinema.

Vampyre :[

[Nemesis Unbound]

Actually Anakin is kind of a cool name because in angelology the "anakim" were the offspring of fallen angels and mortal women. http://smilecwm.tripod.com/net/angel.gif

Puts an interesting spin on the film's "immaculate conception".

[ksk2]

...as I'm sure you were bighting at the bit to mention the Grigori...

Structure, structure, structure! ;)

The true angels of format...

[MystiCarly]

Hey thanks for the help guys... Just thought I'd respond to a few things brought up (and ask another question):

#1) "Get a degree you can fall back on".

You mean like law, computers, pre-med? Heck no! I either wanna be a big name director/writer or die trying. My personal philosophy is that if you have something to fall back on, you will fall back on it. Thanks for the advice though. Its nice to know people care:)

#2) "Mysti"
Actually, my pony's name is "Dawn" :) But one of the things on my "To-do" list is to direct a live-action "Misty of Chincoteague" (spelled right?) movie. I was in love with those books when I was a kid, and collected all the toys :)Speaking of Margurite Henry and horsie stories, I also want to make a movie based on MH's "Mustang". That story affected me in a serious and profound way. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, please read those books:)

#3) On the topic of making my own movies. I seem to have trouble thinking up ideas that can be used to make "short movies" and "low budget" movies. All my ideas involve "big budget" type epic stories. I want to try and exercise my mind and think of stories that are "smaller"...but I just can't. Does anyone have any tips for writing low-budget shorts?
I'd like to make a short (5 minutes )with a lot of action (I love action and adventure movies), but low budget. Something "Run Lola Run"ish. My mind is blank.

Thanks :)

[Nemesis Unbound]

Indeed, those fellows need to learn to keep their hands to themselves. Or maybe the guy upstairs just needs to lighten up! http://smilecwm.tripod.com/ruinkai/ROLLEYEA.gif

"Who watches the Watchmen?"

[PteranoDon]

I was out at Chincoteague this summer. Every thing there is "Misty the pony".

"Misty" was done in 1961; time for a remake? I don't think anyone's done "Stormy" yet.

Don't listen to Couchguy; major in film, but MINOR in business.

Good luck with your career!

[MystiCarly]

"Misty" was done in 1961?!?! And I wasn't aware of this? Off to the video store I go.

[ksk2]

The rights department of Warner Bro's., that's who!

:rollin

[Nemesis Unbound]

Poor Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons...hidden away from incompetence, developement hell can sometimes be a paradise, may all great stories remain there until they can be snatched away from the greedy fingers of studio exectives by true artists. :)

[ksk2]

If you take this as schmooze, I shall consider it a "snub" ( ;) BUT...

I reckon you'd do the ol' tale justice, Nem.

Even though I rarely dig Gibbons (yeah, yeah, bring it on...)

[Nemesis Unbound]

Thanks :) Of course once again another idea that would be short-changed as a feature film and work better as a big budget miniseries...I'm going to have to start making alot of money if I'm going to pay for all these projects! As for Gibbons I like what I have seen of his work but thats not alot...

[lilybet]

Nem,

Are you spreading your wings at all in other areas of writing or are you married to crass screenwriting? Have you thought of novels or essays or columns or even plays?

Just seems you might have potential for nobler pursuits.

lilybet

[ksk2]

Uhhh, I hope Nem doesn't think I'm defending him (we both know that such would be an insult), but...

What's "crass" by your definition? No challenge, just a question.

Koskie-Moskie-Poskie-Doskie-Joskie-Loskie-Noskie-Yoskie-Foskie-Toskie-Zoskie-Boskie-Roskie-Woskie- etc.

[lilybet]

Well, I should have known someone would jump me for that but for some reason I didn't think it would be you. Screenwriting is a demanding craft but I don't believe it is the most ideal forum for expressing ideas or telling stories of great depth and import. Yes, on occasion that occurs but in general, the product is pretty shallow and commercial. Frequently when it does occur, the screenplay has been adapted from another source.

You and I are both impressed with Nem and my question merely suggested that he might have something of more depth to offer than your ordinary produced screenplay.

lilybet

[ksk2]

I just was trying to avoid taking things too seriously :)

Really. Wasn't baggin' on ye.

Never would.

But... Don't you think SOME scripts slip by that don't cow-tow to commercialism, and don't you think that Nem (among many other others here) might get something sent out that doesn't correspond to a TV ad?

I'm not fighting here. Just backing him up. Just like I'd back you up.

Whoops; there's my sentimantal/optimistic side showing again...! Time for a cigie and an ale...!

(kidding...)

[Nemesis Unbound]

lilybet,

I should first note that my desire is not to be a screenwriter but a filmmaker and I wish to direct my scripts as well as write them. It isn't my intention to write something which I am proud of only to allow someone else to be the storyteller, especially given that their interpretation may differ from what I was trying to say. The reason I think that some people regard screenwriting as crass is the way in which writers have allowed their relationship with the studios that employ them to become analogous to a pimp and his prostitutes. As long as there are plenty of writers out there who are willing to take the cheque and let the studios have their way instead of protecting the integrity of their work, the perception will not change. For some people all that matters is "making it" and being part of the money, glamour, etc. of Hollywood. Thats fine I don't have a problem with them, but by doing so you cannot expect to be taken seriously as an artist.

So how do you avoid "selling out" so to speak? Well in my opinion the first step is to write scripts that have meaning and are important to you rather than attempting to write for the commercial market. Your stories should be commercial in the sense that if you were interested in exploring a certain theme in your writing, there is a chance that other people will be interested in a film based on your story. The second step is a willingness to put art ahead of career, to stay true to the spirit what you have written rather than worrying about whether your script will sell. In other words, be willing to not "make it" and realize that to fail in the pursuit of a showbiz career is not the same thing as failure as an artist.

It also has to be recognized that the nature of film as a medium is such that it is difficult for a screenwriter to truly be an artist unless they are willing fight for the integrity of their work and attempt to assert a greater degree of control. A novel stands on its own as the work of its author. A play can be performed numerous times through the years by different players and with varying quality but in the end it is the written play that is regarded as the work of art and the performances simply interpretations of varying quality. Also the medium of live theatre allows for greater exposition by which the writer can express himself. Film must express itself visually, thus interpretation is more likely to stray from the screenwriter's intent. Comics are in some ways closest to film in the sense that they involve the collaboration of writer and illustrator, but the smaller number of people involved (2 or 3) compared to film means it is easier to maintain the intentions of the writer. At the same time the illustrator's panels stand by themselves as visual art while the writers words still tell the story on their own as when they are accompanied by pictures. The two enhance each other rather than diminish the stories meaning.

Film however is a medium that involves the collaboration of so many people that it is very difficult for the vision of a single creative entity to come through. Assuming the writer is even allowed on set it is unlikely that too many directors are going to want to be told how to do their job. Consider the number of people who were involved in just a single frame of film. There is the writer who wrote the scene, director and cinematographer who framed the shot, art director who designed the set, the actors who may or may not look like what the writer had in mind, the casting director who helped cast them, the costume designer who dressed them in a fashion that may or may not suit the writer etc, etc, etc! Unless you are willing to take a greater creative control of the film that will be made from your script, such as directing or producing, you cannot expect to be regarded as an artist. Because it all comes down to this...there will be only ONE movie made from your script. Most people who aren't interested in screenwriting will never take the time to read what you wrote, they will see the movie. For all intensive purposes the version that appears on screen is the definitive version...but its not yours. Even if years from now they remake it, they won't likely make use of your script. A new script will be written based on the movie in an attempt to improve or update the older film, one that will likely shift the story's emphasis even further away from what you intended. There are people out there who can write a script and sell it and sit by and hope the studio does a good job, and if not they can take solace in the fact that they "made it", but I am not one of those people. The thought of seeing something I wrote altered beyond recognition makes me sad. The idea that a director would be credited with the commercial and artistic success of a story that I wrote and undoubtedly would have made into an even better film makes me angry. And no amount of money, no amount of fame could ever console me for the sense of loss I would feel...

So lilybet I do think I am pursuing something noble in what I attempt to do with my screenwriting, and that the medium itself cannot be judged crass because of the state of the industry or the work of the majority of its contributors. But I understand why such a label has been given to the craft of screenwriting and why it fails to be regarded as an artform or even a craft worthy of true respect. Money and the pursuit of Hollywood glamour are powerful corrupting forces that can tempt an artist and easily engulf those who do not approach screenwriting as anything other than a means to an end. But alas film is medium in which I feel my stories can best be told so I must stay true to my vision even against overwhelming odds. I have written both essays and columns and while I enjoy both at times and would not hesitate to work on either again, neither allows me to express the sort of things I wish to say with the impact as film. I love novels and enjoy reading but trying to write prose fiction when you are perfectionist such as myself can be frustrating. Also the written word depends on creating images in the readers head whereas film allows me to show them exactly what I mean! Plays also are too limiting for the sort of stories I wish to tell. Film is the only medium in this discussion that allows the unreal to appear seamlessly real. I want to create worlds where fantasy and reality collide and the nature of what it is to be human is contemplated, and for me the magic of the silver screen is the best medium of all ;)

P.S. Sorry for the length of the post and thank you very much for your comments, I'm glad that when people think of me they think of me as one with the potential for noble pursuits :D

[Nemesis Unbound]

Oh my God! :eek I just took a look at the length of my post, yikes! Oh well, hope people can make it all the way through. Well I guess this is an example of one of my essays lilybet. :lol

[Leandro]

Nem is hereby awarded the blue ribbon for "LENGTH"

:eek

[ksk2]

I aqm thoroughly willing to let Nem take the "Oscar" for longest post...

Nem, thanks for getting the conceptual magpies off my back...!

You are welcome to all awards due to the length and (ahem, delicate cough) "quality" of the aforementioned post...

:rollin


kosk

[lilybet]

I refuse to believe you are 21. I don't care about the length of your post because if wasn't rambling. I envy where you are, I was once there. I hope you get close to where you want to be, the difference between you and some others around your age who post is startling. What are you doing to start on the road to where you want to go?

lilybet

[ksk2]

Loving to post this...

Oh, I believe Nem is 21. I just don't believe he falls prey to the same "concerns"...

But I echoe all the compliments...

You playin' w/dose Long-Leg babies yet, Lilybet?

[lilybet]

Well, actually, I thought it was the walking sticks that had the deadliest venom that couldn't pierce human skin.

lil, dull, lilybet (in good company for the dullest, Callit and Steeves)

[ksk2]

Just invite them to High Tea. They'll behave.

Then again, the giant Black Scorpion (like the tarantula) is less toxic than the average hornet...

But who wants to be stung by a hornet?

Though those Tarantula pets are mighty cute... As long as you pick them up by the back of their thorax's and never touch their abdomens...

Right. Enough Addams Family crap for now...

[Nemesis Unbound]

Well right now I'm wrestling with a screenplay which I have been working on for a few years now which I hope will be the first step for success or at the very least will be a personal accomplishment that I can be proud of. Its a tricky serpent that has had me wrapped in its coils for some time now but I've managed to hit it over the head with a rock and knock it unconscious long enough for me to figure out exactly what to do with it ;)

[LynnBZ]

THE WRITER'S DIGEST CHARACTER NAMING SOURCE BOOK, by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

The blurb on the front of the book says,

"More than 20,000 first and last names and their meanings from around the world--including special advice for choosing historical, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and action names, and valuable instruction for naming your setting."

Good stuff. I use this book all the time, and I write fantasy. :)

Lynn