How does this work?

[Steve Laramie]

If I were to direct a film and hire a screen writer, but I gave the synopses to the screen writer. Then made small changes to the feature script how would it work in the credits? Would It be considered directed and written by. Or would I not have a writer credit?

 

[alex whitmer]

As concerns the script ...

The writer, unless they agreed to work as a ghost writer, would be credited as 'written by'.

You would be credits as 'Story by', and maybe as co-writer, depending on your input and agreement.

a

www.alexwhitmer.wordpress.com

 

[wcmartell]

If the film is WGA signatory, the WGA decides the credit based on the actual scripts - who wrote them, what % ends up in the final film. The "Story by" credit on a WGA film has to do with *written* story material... and "Story by" credit on a film often goes to the first screenwriter who may have done a half dozen full length drafts of the film, but was rewritten so many times that only their story remains (or sometimes doesn't - but it all started with their script).

Non-WGA is based on whatever contract you have with the writer, but there's a little basic morality involved. If the writer wrote the script and you just wrote a synopsis - I think you have answered your own question. You didn't write the script, and a few adjustments here and there aren't going to change that. If you do not use the writer's work and write a *completely different* draft of the script, you are the writer and get a credit.

Why do you want the writer credit if you are the director?

- Bill (A film by... Kodak or Fuji)

 

[Charli]

Kill Bill - characters created by Uma and Teratino, as an example. If you pay someone to write your story, or story idea - E.T. story by Speilberg but not screenplay, then you GIVE them the CREDIT they are due.

Simple.

Charli