How important are titles?

[NealF]

I'm starting to create some tension cues in advance.

At this point I'm titling them, tension 1, tension 2, etc. Is this okay for the Music Sups? Or is it better to have things like, Man on the Run, Look over your shoulder?

Thanks.

[funsongs]

Check the TAXI TV archives for the episode that addressed that, is my suggestion.
The simple answer is: very.
I'm not exactly sure - but I think it was about 6 months ago.

[Len911]

It's been mentioned over and over many times never to label anything like tension 1 or tension 2. It's unprofessional.

It's been rumored that people who title their songs in that way also do their children and pets, child 1, child 2, dog 1, cat 1.

And then some tend to go overboard, Princess Mary, Lord Jim

[NealF]

How did you know? My kids are kid 1, kid 2.

Not very personal, but there's never any confusion.

Thanks funsongs. I'll look for the episode.

[Casey H]

How did you know? My kids are kid 1, kid 2.

Not very personal, but there's never any confusion.

Thanks funsongs. I'll look for the episode.

Just don't call your wife "Wife 1"... That could be bad for your health.

Seriously, titles are VERY important. Always come up with a name that does something to describe the track, what type of scene it would fit, etc.

Casey

[VanderBoegh]

It's already been said by the fellas, but I'll reiterate just because it's so important: NEVER EVER EVER title your cues "Tension 1", "Dramedy 5", "Hip Hop Beat 12", etc. No matter how good the music is, those titles just scream "amateur hour", and a lot of libraries won't want to take a chance on you due to the perceived amount of hand-holding it takes to get a newbie up to snuff.

So, even if you ARE a newbie. Trick 'em with a good title. Every time. And don't settle for cliche's either.... Titles like "Scat in my Skivvs" is much better than "Nervous Wreck" because it's original (don't take that one though.... I'm calling dibs!)

~~Matt

[funsongs]

Titles like "Scat in my Skivvs" is much better than "Nervous Wreck" because it's original (don't take that one though.... I'm calling dibs!)
~~Matt

HA, Professor! Just for that, you'll need to post a link to your 'sexy man' track.

[markhimley]

To add on what everyone else is saying - just imagine if YOU were the sup getting all the forwards. Going down the list, you're probably not going to listen to them in order. Are you more likely to listen to something titled "Tension cue #1" or "In the Midst of Danger". Not saying that is the best title, I just came up with it for this example - but I think you get the point - it is far better than just numbering your cues. Titles are super important!

[NealF]

All good advice.

Especially about not calling my wife "wife 1".

So now it's just a bit of a challenge to come up with names that aren't cliche. There must be hundreds of cues with the same titles by now.

[funsongs]

All good advice.
So now it's just a bit of a challenge to come up with names that aren't cliche. There must be hundreds of cues with the same titles by now.

Certainly duplicate titles are gonna happen sometimes; maybe often. However, the point is that you (I think) want your title to
1) entice the listener/client to WANT to listen; and
2) it ought to best describe the emotion/mood/vibe you're trying to express - especially if it's aimed at a client's listing.

Just a suggestion - you might even 'borrow' some of their descriptive words about their search to get them to want to listen to your music.
I do this for songs, since I don't write instrument cues.
It all begins with the title; it's your first chance to make a good first impression.

Hope that helps.