Consider the following cast of characters: Mary, Mary Lou, Marissa, Marcy, and Marisol.
How about this cast: An, Anwu, Anwei, Anawei, and Anweiller.
Let’s try another one: Bob, Bub, Bubba, Bubba Jr., and Bubbaloo.
Let’s try a scene:
INT. BUBALOO’S BUNKHOUSE – NIGHT
Marisol stares out the window while Marcy sips a martini, Mary files her nails, and Mary Lou flirts up Bubbaloo. Bob is in the corner arm wrestling Bub. Bubba is watching while Bubba Jr. throws a log on the fire. Nobody notices Marcy slip out the door.
Now, close your eyes and tell me what each character is doing. I’ll count to ten —
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine —
TEN.
How’d that go?
And I did not even throw in the A Team.
Do. Not. Give. Characters. Similar. Sounding. Names.
You’re welcome.