Proper way to display credits

emccainaz

emccainaz

Member
Hey gang,

this may be a stupid question, but I have looked around and haven't found it asked here before - Is there a proper way to give credits? Is there a particular order in which credits are given and any musts or must-nots involved. I am just finishing up my first short which is intended for festivals and would like to do it as correctly as possible.

Thanks,

Edward McCain
dura mater films
Tucson, AZ
 
There are exceptions/negotiations on many films and if your film is non-union you probably don't have to worry about it, but yes, a "proper" order does exist for both opening and closing credits. Easiest way to follow it is by just studying existing films.
 
One of the accepted conventions is that the director credit is the closest to the film itself. i.e. if the credits are opening credits, the director credit goes last; if you have end credits, the director's credit is first. The director's union used to demand that only one director credit be listed. However, that convention has been broken many times recently (See Cohen Brothers). The union also demanded that all union films have a director listed. In the event that the final picture was not up to the actual director's standards (due to acting, editing, etc.), the name "Alan Smithee" (or "Smythee") is used. (I've seen a couple of "Directed by Alan Smithee" films.) Not to hijack the thread - but what are some of the other urban legends of credits? (although "Alan Smithee" is actual..not just a legend.)
 
The common convention in H'wood (based on guild rules, etc) for the opening credits (following title):

Lead Cast
Supporting Cast
Casting By
Music By
Costume Designer
Associate Producer
Edited By
Production Designer
Director of Photography
Executive Producer
Producer
Writer
Director

And for the closing credits:

Unit Production Manager
First Assistant Director
Key Second Assistant Director
Second Second Assistant Director
Cast
Stunts
Production Crew by Department (Electric, Grip, Camera, Sound, Costume, etc)
Post Production Crew by Department (Editor, Special Effects, etc)
Song Credits
Catering by
Color by
Titles & Opticals by
Lense & Camera Equipment by
Recorded at
Copyright information
Disclaimers.

There is a great deal of flexibility in the closing credits, not so much in the opening credits.

Rob
 
The important thing here is "convention". Other than union/ guild and contractual obligations there are no "rules". There are plenty of unearned credits and even more missing credits. If you don't have the above restrictions you can do whatever you want.

Older films put everything at the head and I have seen films with no head credits at all, though that is VERY rare.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top