Shanghai Student Film Festival

These last few days I’ve noticed as students are about to upload their movies ….that the “title’ of the film is the last thing on students minds…

It got me thinking that the “Title” of one’s film is a really powerful “hook” .

The naming of a film can allure audiences and cleverly condense the essence of a story…all in one..

Consider this random list of 1930s films made in Shanghai…
I wish I had the resources to provide the links to these fabulous sounding movies…. what an untapped gold mine !

Shanghai Express

Shanghaiied lovers

Shanghai Bond

Streets of Shanghai

Shanghai lady

Shanghai Rose

Ship from Shanghai

Shanghai madness

Shanghai shipmates

Daughter of Shanghai

Shanghai Alibi

Half way to Shanghai

Shanghaied love

Boat to Shanghai

All film titles hint mysteriously of a city few in the West had hardly heard of, nor probably even knew existed in those days; and yet each variation of “Shanghai’ suggests a story line or type of movie: adventure, romance, mystery..

Consider some of the greatest book titles ever written for children

“Where the wild things are”

“Green eggs and Ham”

“The secret garden”

“Harold and the purple crayon”

All titles are unusual and interesting; they also cleverly sum up the story…
Max mets the Wild things…

Sam finally convinces the Old guy to try Green eggs and ham

The secret garden is just that; just one of many secrets held back for a long time.

Go Harold! How lucky he is to own a “purple” crayon….
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It’s worth taking the time to brainstorm with your film crew and conduct a couple of lively discussions to consider a “title’ worthy that befits your work.