The process of writing is different for each screenwriter, obviously. Some can write an entire screenplay under the heading "untitled", while others like to have the title and story and then commence putting words to paper or in this day and age it would be words to computer screen. I fall into the latter. However, for this particular project (With Her), it was a little bit different.
I went through a few different titles but I just wasn't satisfied. The reason being that the idea for With Her actually came from a feature film idea and after some thought the decision to do it as short first, was made. I also knew that the title would change. Personally, I like to have a title that will stick from first draft right up until the final draft and a few times I thought I had it but what would happen, was that I would like it for a few days and then hate it. So for the first time I was writing something without having a firm title. The term is "working title". I remember I mentioned my dilemma to our producer Kris and he would say just use the title you have and call it a "working title", I didn't like that idea but I went with it. Immediately upon finishing the script I went back to the title, I couldn't bring myself to pass it along without a title that I was happy with and that would not change. So I sat there and pondered, you know like the Thinking Man sculpture, I thought about the writer/directors that I admire, who always seem to have a title that sort of encapsulates their story. Pedro Almodovar was the person who came to mind, Bad Education, Volver, Broken Embraces, all great films with titles that work really well. That's what I wanted! Still in my Thinking Manesque pose, I thought about my story. It's a juxtaposition. Two different ways to look at love, I looked at it through the eyes of William (the writer), who would see it this way...with Sophia (his love interest) it would be one way ( a real love with real feelings) and in a vicarious sort of way through Matthew (the male escort) it would be another (no love, no real feelings). That was it! I had my title, it was simple yet it still encapsulated what I want to say with this film, it was perfect.
With Her (Sophia) it was one way and With Her (the clients) it was another. I said it over and over again in my head and I even waited a day or two before I told anyone I had finished writing just to see if I still liked the title. I loved it and it stuck. I passed it along and...well here we are. With Her is now a completed short screenplay which will be going into production and I look forward to sharing it with each and everyone of you and I hope that you all enjoy it (eventually of course) as much we will enjoy making it. Until the next blog.
I went through a few different titles but I just wasn't satisfied. The reason being that the idea for With Her actually came from a feature film idea and after some thought the decision to do it as short first, was made. I also knew that the title would change. Personally, I like to have a title that will stick from first draft right up until the final draft and a few times I thought I had it but what would happen, was that I would like it for a few days and then hate it. So for the first time I was writing something without having a firm title. The term is "working title". I remember I mentioned my dilemma to our producer Kris and he would say just use the title you have and call it a "working title", I didn't like that idea but I went with it. Immediately upon finishing the script I went back to the title, I couldn't bring myself to pass it along without a title that I was happy with and that would not change. So I sat there and pondered, you know like the Thinking Man sculpture, I thought about the writer/directors that I admire, who always seem to have a title that sort of encapsulates their story. Pedro Almodovar was the person who came to mind, Bad Education, Volver, Broken Embraces, all great films with titles that work really well. That's what I wanted! Still in my Thinking Manesque pose, I thought about my story. It's a juxtaposition. Two different ways to look at love, I looked at it through the eyes of William (the writer), who would see it this way...with Sophia (his love interest) it would be one way ( a real love with real feelings) and in a vicarious sort of way through Matthew (the male escort) it would be another (no love, no real feelings). That was it! I had my title, it was simple yet it still encapsulated what I want to say with this film, it was perfect.
With Her (Sophia) it was one way and With Her (the clients) it was another. I said it over and over again in my head and I even waited a day or two before I told anyone I had finished writing just to see if I still liked the title. I loved it and it stuck. I passed it along and...well here we are. With Her is now a completed short screenplay which will be going into production and I look forward to sharing it with each and everyone of you and I hope that you all enjoy it (eventually of course) as much we will enjoy making it. Until the next blog.
Gerson Peña
Writer/Director of With Her
I think the title is great :) I would love to audition for this!
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