An excerpt from my script review for The Cabin in the Woods which will be available 12/08/25:
1.) Marketability of the Idea
Have you ever stopped to think that a title works as a sort of mini logline?
When I sit down to write a script, one of the things I tend to do (for better or worse) is make my title a simple word or two that relates my story.
My thought is that it adds a bit of mystery to my script in a “what’s it about” kind of way.
And then I thought about what to review this week, and this script came to mind.
The Cabin in the Woods.
The genius that your title can be an abridged logline hit me like a bolt of lightning.
Sure it doesn’t give any exact plot, but think of how your mind wanders just reading those words if you’re not familiar with the story.
Cabin…rustic and secluded. Woods…also secluded but the beauty of all those trees has the possibilities of impenetrable darkness and gloom.
Will a reader know exactly where you’re taking them? No, but again they’re starting to wonder about your story and that’s a good thing.
Now of course a bit of context helps via the genre.
The Cabin in the Woods as a horror leads to completely different ideas than if it’s a romantic comedy, so including the genre is kind of a must.
And this technique doesn’t need to be completely on the nose either like Halloween or Nightmare on Elm Street.
Subtly works, and here are just a few I thought of as I brainstormed today’s review.
Snakes on a Place.
A plane is a confined space, and snakes being on it can’t be a good thing.
Setting aside the completely impractical “mile high” scene in a bathroom that’s smaller than most people’s showers that you can hardly turn around in let alone have relations, it leads to some creative ideas of just what will happen.
(Speaking of airplane bathrooms, has anyone seen the Penelope Cruz Fly Emirates commercials? She’s still as adorable as ever, although I’ll never see the fascination of using a public shower in this fashion. Sure it’s a novelty, but much like a friend who used to get excited to take a shower in airport club lounges, it’s really no different than showering at the gym.)
Two more examples…
The Silence of the Lambs.
Creepy choice…why would the lambs be silent or are they being silenced? Who’s silencing the lambs?!
Even keeping with the “cabin” theme…
Knock at the Cabin.
Who’s knocking? Doubt it’s anyone with good intentions.
What other titles can you come up with?
Obviously a good logline is also necessary to “hook” the reader to devote two hours of their precious time to read your script, but hopefully you see the marketing aspect of a good title.
Your title leads to interest in the logline which leads to a read of your script…if you’ve done your work right.
So go back over your script titles and ask yourself…
Does this work as a mini logline?
Will it get the reader’s going brainstorming possible scenarios?
If not, you may have more work to do.
The Cabin in the Woods Box Office Stats
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