Just saw ' The Happening ' on FX.....
POSTED BY: AURaptor
UPDATED: Thursday, November 4, 2010 21:53
VIEWED: 5487
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Quote:
Originally posted by Zeek:
Does anyone know if there's a protest group out there against naming characters Zoey? I know I know we've got a Zoe of our own, but really it's the most overused name in cinema. I don't know if they think it's unique or that it won't offend anyone cause there are really only two actual people in the world named Zoe or what. They're freaking everywhere these days in movies and TV. Whether it's supposed to be unique or PC it's just dumb. Just use a normal name. Sheesh.
So you're saying they should use the name of Zoe/Zoey less?
Why isn't it a normal name?
My opinion would be that most writers want a name that is easy to remember for viewers so they pick common names, just like most sensible parents. Occasionaly someone comes along who wants something a little different so they pick a name like Zoe. It's still easy to remember but isn't hugely common either. At least they're not naming their characters like some 'star's name their kids.
And I did a couple of searches on IMDB using names that I thought would be overused and came up with these results. This is just for the straight name and DOESN'T include variations like Ann, Annie, Katie, Katherine etc:
Kate = 326 characters
Anna = 340 characters
Sarah = 439 characters
That's a lot of characters with these names.
I too liked The Village although I gather it's a bit of a minority group to be in.
As for The Happening is was a pile of rubbish. I felt sorry for the actors as they have both shown that they can act but when you are given nothing to work with what can you do. I have wind more powerful than that film.
"The greatest invention ever is not the wheel. It's the second wheel." - Rich Hall
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Well personally I don't know a single person named Zoe in real life. I know a bunch of Kates, Annas and Sarahs. I don't see anything wrong with choosing realistic names that you might encounter normally.
Another point about my imdb search. They have 43 total Zoe characters. If 33 are from 2000 on that means that there were only 10 in the entire TV & movie history before the year 2000. That just makes it show even more how it's just a trendy name that writers think is hip to use for some reason. The problem is that everyone is using it. It's not original when everybody does it. Then it just becomes annoying.
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Quote:
Originally posted by Zeek:
Well personally I don't know a single person named Zoe in real life. I know a bunch of Kates, Annas and Sarahs. I don't see anything wrong with choosing realistic names that you might encounter normally.
That was already answered - writers will lean toward what stands out, rather than the generic. Regardless of whether or not you know anyone with that name.
Also, it's generally frowned upon in scriptwriting to have characters with names that start the same. So, generally, only one character with an "A" name, one with a "K" name and so on. Not a lot of overlap with a "Z" name.
"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."
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Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:Quote:
Originally posted by Zeek:
Well personally I don't know a single person named Zoe in real life. I know a bunch of Kates, Annas and Sarahs. I don't see anything wrong with choosing realistic names that you might encounter normally.
That was already answered - writers will lean toward what stands out, rather than the generic. Regardless of whether or not you know anyone with that name.
Also, it's generally frowned upon in scriptwriting to have characters with names that start the same. So, generally, only one character with an "A" name, one with a "K" name and so on. Not a lot of overlap with a "Z" name.
Go back and read it again. You're clearly wrong if there are 43 Zoes and 326 Kates. Apparently they don't lean toward what stand out at all.
At the same time when they do try to pick something that stands out they are picking the same name everyone else uses. Which means it isn't standing out.
So, if they're trying to stand out then they're failing and need to find something original that will actually stand out. That's the point.
Also on the actual topic, The Village wasn't awful IMO. It did actually come off as creepy quite a bit when I saw it. The acting wasn't very good though IMO.
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Jeez, pedantic much? My point wasn't that every writer will use it.
This is the dumbest conversation I've been in in ages. Who cares about your silly hang ups on names?
"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."
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I care. Who else matters?
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Quote:
Originally posted by Zeek:
I get 33 matches of characters named Zoe on imdb just in the 2000's. 9 more for Zoey. That seems like a lot to me.
I get 11 matches for partial results on characters named River.
That's not worthy of a protest, is it?
"The modern definition of 'racist' is someone who is winning an argument with a liberal."
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Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:Quote:
Originally posted by Zeek:
I get 33 matches of characters named Zoe on imdb just in the 2000's. 9 more for Zoey. That seems like a lot to me.
I get 11 matches for partial results on characters named River.
That's not worthy of a protest, is it?
Probably not, unless it was all in a couple years' time.
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Quote:
Originally posted by Zeek:Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:
I get 11 matches for partial results on characters named River.
That's not worthy of a protest, is it?
Probably not, unless it was all in a couple years' time.
how did your brain even learn human speech?
"The modern definition of 'racist' is someone who is winning an argument with a liberal."
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Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:Quote:
Originally posted by Zeek:Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:
I get 11 matches for partial results on characters named River.
That's not worthy of a protest, is it?
Probably not, unless it was all in a couple years' time.
how did your brain even learn human speech?
I don't know. But it did so faster than expected. So, :-P
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