Untitled How-to-Write-Titles Blog

keywords: title, creative writing, writer’s block, movie, tv, novel, blog

Titles are hard. You’re not alone in that belief. I know I’ve certainly had my fair share of passionate projects named “Untitled,” and the embarrassment eventually led me to study and categorize successful titles for inspiration. Since then, my guide has eased my writer’s block and made titles much more manageable, and even fun! May it grant you similar ease!

First of All, Why Bother?

It is important to remember that titles are more than just a way to identify your idea; it is the very first impression of your idea. Netflix’s strategy to hook viewers within the first five minutes has launched the era of digital streaming because they know the value of that first impression. Since this launch, audiences are quicker than ever to click past hundreds of unfamiliar films without hesitation. It takes a certain amount of commitment and, dare I say, bravery to stop and read a description in the modern age, let alone click play. That said, titles can mean life or death for a show or film in the modern era, so it is important to grab attention in as few words as possible. 

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What Are Common Types of Titles?

1. The Protagonist’s Name, Title, Species, or Group

A very common and simple approach to writing titles, this group introduces audiences to the protagonist in a very general way.  

This title works best when in sitcoms, biographies, or remakes where the protagonist is someone audiences are already familiar with. Take, for instance, Hawking (2013). This is a name many people immediately associate with Stephen Hawking, so it draws the attention of those familiar with or interested in learning more about him, which is likely the target audience. 

It is also very common in children’s films where the protagonist’s name is said frequently. You tend to see that children assume the title is the main character’s name (as is the case in Sleeping Beauty (1959)), so this is a way to allow young children to easily associate films with their favorite characters.

This type of title is successful and common because in a good movie or show, the main characters are usually very memorable to the audience. When we look at the movie title Moana (2016), we can make the connection that this is the movie about the curly-haired girl and the sea because we remember her name. It is important to the plot and is sung in many of the songs, so, naturally, it’s a name we’re going to remember. This also applies to films like Wall-E (2008), where his name is almost the only thing he can say.

Other examples of this category include Seinfeld (1989-1998; name), Ghostbusters (1984; group), The Avengers (2014; group), Antz (1998; species), The Dark Knight (2008; title).

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2. Setting

This title is similarly simple and easy to remember. Setting-based titles are best used when the location is the most crucial part of the show or movie home to all or most of the conflict the characters face.

It is important to note any preexisting movies or shows when using this approach. A movie named “Paris” would not be very memorable since so many movies and shows take place in that location. Instead, this title works best when the location is unique to the film and the situation at hand, whether it be fictional or otherwise. Again, memorability is key! 

Examples include Jurassic Park (1993), Gravity Falls (2012-2016), and Titanic (1997). 

3. The Protagonist’s Occupation

This approach is best used if the show or movie revolves around the character’s occupation. That being said, this most accurately fits procedural TV shows that follow the day-to-day operations of a workplace. 

That being said, just because your character has a job doesn’t mean the show should be named after it. As an example, I would not rename Spongebob Squarepants to Fry Cook. Even though many episodes follow Spongebob’s workplace, the show is more so about all of his life, not just his work life. Therefore, keep in mind that titles must be relevant to the main focus of the movie or show.

Good examples include: Psych (2006-2014), Cops (1989-Present), and Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008; in a way, it is more like Aang’s occupation than his title)

4. The Main Goal or Conflict

In my personal opinion, the best titles are a member of this category because it directly states what the entire film or show is about. Stories are built around goals and the journeys through obstacles to reach those goals, which is why this category encapsulates the stories so accurately. Every movie and show has different needs, of course, but titles describing the main goal or conflict fits a much broader variety of genres. In many cases, the above three examples are the main sources of conflict, but this category is more broad to the situation rather than the environment of it.

Examples include 13 going on 30 (2004; conflict), Jaws (1975; conflict), Saving Private Ryan (1998; goal), Back to the Future (1985; goal), The Wizard of Oz (1939; name, but ultimately a goal).

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Why Do These Titles Work?

As mentioned before, titles are first impressions. These common examples work because they tell prospective viewers what they can expect and remind returning viewers what they remember. 

For all those picky clickers on the remote scrolling through, you need to be relevant to the story so that they know what the movie is about before they even read the description. The title Taken (2008) is a brilliant example of setting up audience expectations. With one powerful word, audiences know that this movie is about something that has been “taken,” and, given the grimness attached to the word, that “something” is assumed to be a person. Even though audiences may not know the logistics of the plot yet, they know what it is generally about and what the genre will be. As seen with Taken, titles can be specific and detailed without being long. The best titles tend to be brief, from one to four words, to avoid losing interest. Regardless of the category, whether listed here or not, this reigns true.

As a sendoff, really ask yourself what makes your idea different. Whether you have the next best movie, show, novel, or even blog, embrace your uniqueness and showcase it for the word to see at first glance. Oftentimes, that is all they need to click play.