how do you think of your character's first and last name? I like looking at movie and TV credits.
Final Drafts Name Database... :)
If at all possible, I use something that describes them. Like one person read a short of mine, and said the main character was a "shell of a man", hence his name became Sheldon Mann.
And so on...
Doesn't always work, but when it does you feel clever.
I'm very big into finding the proper names for my characters. I always put some thought in it and come up with something that could be read into if you looked hard enough. Even if that means finding the definitions of names to reflect attributes towards the character.
I actually think it's one of the hardest things in writing.
mann is a jewish name isnt it?
Dunno.
Yeah, finding names is usually the last thing I do before doing a dialogue draft of a script. And even then I leave most names as The Mother, The Hot Chick, The Doctor, and so on.
One of my friends names everyone of his main characters Mike, in all planning stages. To simplify things, I guess... :roll:
i think of first names but not last names.
I work at a Medical Billing place, so I get to see all these interesting names the patients in the hospitals have. I usually see one that strikes my fancy, or maybe I'll combine two names.
Sometimes a name just comes along with the character. Other times.... they don't.
I have a book of baby names that lists their origin and meaning. I like to put a subconscious/hidden "message" in a character's name; whether it relates to the character or his/her story.
Things got hard for me once I stopped naming characters after characters from other movies as homage (i.e. "Eliza" and "Sabrina" after Audrey Hepburn characters).
Now I try to use common names (Bill, Bob, Mike, etc.) for minor characters and really pick apart phone books for less common names.
But I have to pick wisely because otherwise, I'm liable to come up with something the likes of Clayton MacGillicuddy and only the Coens can pull off a name like that.
Quote from: kotteI actually think it's one of the hardest things in writing.
that's true. if u can make great character names (and not just gag ones), u are a genius.
wes anderson is untouchable in this regard.
What makes a great character name in your opinion?
good question.
basically that the character looks like their name.. and that it sounds good. it's a fine art, with some basics: if a person is of foreign descent or ethnic appearance u can get away with stranger names, like Pagoda.
the real essence of a good name, the art of it, can probably be attributed to pleasant-sounding syllable combinations, alliteration is the most simple.. "Anthony Adams" "Dirk Diggler". the tenenbaums were especially great, cos the parents names were softly magisterial "royal, etheliene", and the intrusion of a harsh consonant in the kids gives them a broken quality "Chas, Richie, Margot."
anyway, it's a real talent, also that they all mean sumthing in a poetic (linguistic) sort of way. herman blume, rosemary cross.. that is so what they do.
So so so agreed!!
Wes is wonderful at it, and as mentioned before, Coens too. That's one of the reasons I love Intolerable Cruelty. I could say "Rex Rexroth" and "Miles Massey" all day...
Quote from: SoNowThenSo so so agreed!!
Wes is wonderful at it, and as mentioned before, Coens too. That's one of the reasons I love Intolerable Cruelty. I could say "Rex Rexroth" and "Miles Massey" all day...
...and "Heinz, the Baron Krauss von Espy"
But yeah, Wes Anderson is just brilliant at the names. Why does Dignan have no last name? On a side note, I think Dignan must be one of the greatest characters ever invented he's truly amazing. The spirit and mis-guided enthusiasm they wrote into him, it really touches me every time I watch that film.
Quote from: RaikusI'm very big into finding the proper names for my characters. I always put some thought in it and come up with something that could be read into if you looked hard enough. Even if that means finding the definitions of names to reflect attributes towards the character.
Quote from: MacGuffinI have a book of baby names that lists their origin and meaning. I like to put a subconscious/hidden "message" in a character's name; whether it relates to the character or his/her story.
I'm with both Raikus and Mac.. I'm exactly like that when I write.
I love the name Herman Blume. It just rolls off the tongue...
Preston Sturges was good with unlikely names.
i've avoided this issue in my writings, but i can't any more. To name a character is a hard job, and a long one.
My sources for now are catholic calender and phone book. I've found a website with all kinds of names and their meanings, but i lost it. Stupid.
Quote from: mollyI've found a website with all kinds of names and their meanings, but i lost it. Stupid.
So find it and share :wink:
i've tried the google, and when you enter name meanings, you get plenty of websites with all kinds of names and their meanings, also with search buttons. This one is good:http://www.behindthename.com/