Film Industry and Pseudonyms

F

fdirector

Active member
Hello all,
I have a question. Can Film Director, or Screenwriter, or Producer have a pseudonym in Film Industry?
For example, Director's real name is John Unknown (example :)), in film credits he is like John Somebody (pseudonym), but what about contracts and other legal stuff? Can it be possible? I mean, can Director have screen name different than real?
 
See: Alan Smithee

Lots of actors and directors use screen names, though they're usually some mutated forms of their birth names.

Nicholas Coppola = Nicholas Cage
Martin Estevez = Martin Sheen (Emilio is the only one of the family working under the real surname)
Melvin Kaminsky = Mel Brooks

But why would you want to use a pseudonym?
 
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Hey, thanks for reply. I want use a pseudonym coz my birth surname is "terrible!" :) Really, I'm not joking.

But what about contracts? Should I sign them with my original name?
 
fdirector said:
Hello all,
I have a question. Can Film Director, or Screenwriter, or Producer have a pseudonym in Film Industry?
Click to expand...
Only if you're a red that got blacklisted...:evil:

Lots of old school guys did (in all three categories you listed) for various reasons; unpronounceable, too Jewish, whatever the case.

Not so much since the late 60's/early 70's. In the more modern era, I'd say it was/remains mainly actors/actresses that do so. The majority of non-acting above-the-line'er that have changed their names today started out as actors...
 
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...Just reread OP. If the reason behind this is to "hide" the true identity of the producer/writer/director (IE making a porno)...I would advise against it. With today's "small world", they will find out eventually.
 
Let me ask this question: What name do you want to paid under? Unless you change your name, your contract needs to be signed under your legal name. You can still be listed/credited under a psuedonym, but anything legal should be under your legal name.
 
You may specify in your deal that you will be credited with whatever name you please (or -not- credited, which, if for some reason you don't want to be connected to the project, might be best).

But for contractual and tax purposes you must use either your legal birth name, your legally-amended name, or some variation upon the theme of a dba or corporate identity.

I sympathize. I have a couple of items on my IMDB page that I would very much like to be rid of, but for some reason they're not being very helpful about removing 'em.
 
CallaghanFilms said:
O... for various reasons; unpronounceable, too Jewish, whatever the case.

.
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Too Jewish?

And I was under the impression that some folks changed they name to something that sounds Jewish, to get jobs in Hollywood.

Like Whoopi Goldberg (Caryn Elaine Johnson) or Zachary Levi, Caroline Aaron, Al Lewis....
 
The degree to which the Jewishness seems professionally advantageous probably varies, from person to person.
 
Postmaster said:
Too Jewish?

And I was under the impression that some folks changed they name to something that sounds Jewish, to get jobs in Hollywood.

Like Whoopi Goldberg (Caryn Elaine Johnson) or Zachary Levi, Caroline Aaron, Al Lewis....
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I was thinking more along the lines of the Brothers Wonskolaser; Schmuel Gelbfisz...
 
Unless the laws have changed drastically when I wasn't looking, you can use any name you want as long as it's not to defraud, or for other illegal purposes. (In or out of showbiz)

Kinda hard cashing the check, however, if it's not made out to the real you. :p

But, as above, the most common thing would just to be credited as whoever. Very common (I'd think) in smaller productions even moreso than big ones. It's starts to look silly if you're listed as performing half a dozen jobs. Need the alter egos.
 
Postmaster said:
Too Jewish?

And I was under the impression that some folks changed they name to something that sounds Jewish, to get jobs in Hollywood.

Like Whoopi Goldberg (Caryn Elaine Johnson) or Zachary Levi, Caroline Aaron, Al Lewis....
Click to expand...

On the contrary, Jonah Hill was born Jonah Hill Feldstein.
 
David Jimerson said:
...Of course, that was no Corvette Summer.
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Oh, man.... saw that when it was out in theaters. Brought the term Candy Apple Red into my vernacular.

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