Protocal for naming '1 line extras'.

SairzB

26 pages

Posted
April 2, 2008 - 10:02pm

Protocal for naming '1 line extras'.

I was wondering what to do exactly when you have someone with a tiny line, how do you introduce them?
For example, in my film, it's Amy's father. I refer to him as her Dad in the big print, but there'll be a few dads, so his character name will be AMY'S DAD when he speaks (in 1 scene). So does that mean I should refer to him as Amy's Dad in the big print? It looks weird sometimes.
Or should I give him a name? For such a small part, it doesn't seem necessary, and would be pretty confusing I reckon, remembering heaps of names for what are essentially extras.

PS. - woah, check out the date I 'submitted' this. Groovy, baby!

SairzB

26 pages

Posted
April 2, 2008 - 10:02pm

RE: Protocal for naming '1 line extras'.

scratch that PS. It was coming up as 1969.

Golden Ticket for Script Frenzy Donors
DMac

Posted
April 2, 2008 - 10:53pm

RE: Protocal for naming '1 line extras'.

If Amy's Dad has only a single line in a single scene, I think that it's fine to introduce him in the narrative of that scene as AMY'S DAD, 50s, grumpy [or whatever] and leave it at that.

It's a bit part, and I agree, if you give him a name it might get confusing as the reader tries to remember who Mr. Brown is and why doesn't he ever appear again...Whereas AMY'S DAD is memorable enough for his brief appearance.

But you only CAP his name once, when he's introduced, e.g. :

AMY'S DAD blah blah blah blah and then her Dad slumps in the chair and drinks his beer and later he growls,

AMY'S DAD
Close the door behind you.....

SairzB

26 pages

Posted
April 2, 2008 - 11:17pm

RE: Protocal for naming '1 line extras'.

Thanks D, that's helpful. Full of lots of little gems, I've noticed. :)

SairzB

26 pages

Posted
April 2, 2008 - 11:56pm

RE: Protocal for naming '1 line extras'. 2nd Question

Bugger, it's the small characters that give me the irits. (Any non-Australians reading, it stands for irritation, not a weirdly spelt bowel movement)

How about when the person is a part of a mob, not special at all, but then says something.

My Eg:

A huddle of girls are standing nearby, many are looking over at the boys as they walk - particularly Charlie.

SAM (CONT'D)
So anyway, what about you?

GIRL 1
Hi Charlie.

CHARLIE
Oh, hey.

SAM
I see nothing’s changed.

CHARLIE
Shut up.

Do I need to say huddle of girls including GIRL 1 or something?
These stupid little things really do give me the irrits. :)

Sairz