working titles
Names for now
Working titles are provisional names given to creative projects—films, books, albums—during production before an official title is chosen.
They serve as placeholders and sometimes as code names to prevent leaks: The film was shot under the working title "Blue Harvest".
Some working titles stick; others bear no resemblance to what's eventually released.
Uncertain and provisional
- provisionalConditional and possibly temporary
- placeholderTemporary position marker
- codenameSecret identifying label
- TBDAbbreviation for unfinalized
pre-release · embargo · reveal · announcement · rebrand
Original text before publication
- screenplayFilm's written blueprint
- novelNew and unusual
- memoirWritten personal recollection
- scriptWritten words for performance
fiction · nonfiction · biography · autobiography · chapter · prologue · epilogue · sequel
One who revises text
- submissionYielding to another's will
- proofreadingChecking text for mistakes
- typesettingArranging text for print
- galleyOnboard food preparation area
copyediting · blurb · jacket · imprint · advance · royalties · bestseller · ISBN
Generating many ideas freely
- ideationForming mental concepts
- conceptualizingForming mental representations
- pitchingDelivering toward the plate
- outliningTracing outer contours
drafting · revision · iteration · collaboration · workshopping · feedback · reworking · polishing
Planning before creation begins
- castingShaping through liquid form
- directorOne who leads
- producerOne who makes things
- studioCreative professional's workspace
cinematography · shooting · postproduction · trailer · premiere · franchise · blockbuster · indie
tentative
Uncertain and provisional
- provisionalConditional and possibly temporary
- placeholderTemporary position marker
- codenameSecret identifying label
TBD · pre-release · embargo · reveal · announcement · rebrand
manuscript
Original text before publication
- screenplayFilm's written blueprint
- novelNew and unusual
- memoirWritten personal recollection
script · fiction · nonfiction · biography · autobiography · chapter · prologue · epilogue · sequel · prequel
editor
One who revises text
- submissionYielding to another's will
- proofreadingChecking text for mistakes
- typesettingArranging text for print
galley · copyediting · blurb · jacket · imprint · advance · royalties · bestseller · ISBN · publication
brainstorming
Generating many ideas freely
- ideationForming mental concepts
- conceptualizingForming mental representations
- pitchingDelivering toward the plate
outlining · drafting · revision · iteration · collaboration · workshopping · feedback · reworking · polishing · greenlight
preproduction
Planning before creation begins
studio · cinematography · shooting · postproduction · trailer · premiere · franchise · blockbuster · indie · auteur
- made-up namesneologisms, pseudonyms, stage names, pen names, screen names
- breed registriesstud book, stud books, pedigree, pedigree papers, AKC