In the beginning the female lead is introduced as DADRIAN/JUDY COLE, Dadrian being her stage name, Judy Cole her given one. Until page five, she isn't called Judy in the dialogue but after that, only Judy, who I re-introduce as JUDY COLE/DADRAIN the first time, then JUDY from there on out..How in the heck is something like that handled? I can't find out how it should be done anywhere.
Screenwriting : Format question by Bill Kautz
Other topics in Screenwriting:
Check out Trending Discussions
Register / Log In
1 person likes this
Yikes, my brain melted just reading that. How about introducing the character as JUDY COLE, aka Dadrain and simply leave it as that?
1 person likes this
The switch from calling her Dadrain to Judy in the dialogue and narrative happens at THE pivotal moment in the story so while a viewer won't have a problem with the name change, a reader could, and that might prove disastrous.
1 person likes this
CJ's suggestion of using a/k/a might be the answer.
Tricky situation Bill. Is the change and pivot part of some sort of reveal?
In a way, yes. She was established as a high-strung, short tempered prima donna (read: bitch) in the first page or so, then, suddenly, what's under her facade begins to emerge. Here's the way that dual name problem stands at present, thanks to you: "...being tended to, DADRIAN (a/k/a JUDY COLE) (25) is watching...." Later, it goes to: "... reading a file. Judy Cole (a/k/a Dadrian) is beside...." Maybe that'll fly!
2 people like this
Maybe. I was thinking more along the lines of introducing her as "JUDY COLE, aka Dadrain" (Or Edward's variant) in the first instance and then referring to her always as Judy in the action/dialogue lines and just have the other characters call her Dadrain or Judy in their dialogue as appropriate. But really you know your script, you know what feels right.
In a way, yes. She was established as a high-strung, short tempered prima donna (read: bitch) in the first page or so, then, suddenly, what's under her facade begins to emerge. Here's the way that dual name problem stands at present: "...being tended to, DADRIAN (a/k/a JUDY COLE) (25) is watching...." Later, it goes to: "... reading a file. Judy (a/k/a Dadrian) is beside...." Thanks, CJ!
1 person likes this
Why write in a way that's ambiguous or confusing to the reader. Clarity and simplicity are key to keeping a reader engaged, especially in your first 5 pages. If her name is Judy Cole, introduce her as Judy Cole. If her stage name, DADRIAN, is vital to the story, have a scene with her on stage, being referred to as DADRIAN, or some other vital setting and show that her real name is Judy (you'll need to be creative) or very light exposition explaining this.
2 people like this
For the sake of the reader pick one name to use. CJ has a great way to set this up in the introduction. You do not want to confuse the reader of your script by changing the name throughout the script.