Thanking people in your script

Tom Judd

Tom Judd

Member
I've just written my first feature script. I was so lucky to be helped by a man who has shared similar experiences to the main character.

I cannot allow the script to be submitted without some form of accreditation to this great person.

What is the conventional method of thanking contributors such as this? I want to put it on the title page, but I understand that many people avoid putting much on the front to keep it uncluttered.

Many thanks, and apologies if this is a silly question :)
 
After you've listed the entire cast & crew you can then write a short "and special thanks to John Doe by whom this film could not be made" - the end.
 
Charli said:
After you've listed the entire cast & crew you can then write a short "and special thanks to John Doe by whom this film could not be made" - the end.
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Thank you for your reply.

I understand you can thank people in the credits of films, but I was intending more for on the actual, unproduced, feature film script.
 
I have a bit of this issue on the final film itself, as far as how do you thank a collaborator who you bounce ideas off of? My best friend helped me fine-tune my script for The Devil's Matchmaker, so I credited him in the actual film under "Special Thanks," because co-writer or additional story by or something like that did not make sense. It was all my writing... it's just that he provided valuable advice / ideas that helped improve things. The same is true with the new script I'm working on. He has made suggestions that will make the final script, but I thought that was basically part of the process, I mean that with most scripts you will seek / get advice from someone, even if they're not a writer, so I don't think more than a "special thanks" is required is it? Just curious if anyone has any experience with that...
 
Tom Judd said:
... but I was intending more for on the actual, unproduced, feature film script.
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Hi Tom,

My first question is, what is the intention of the script, to shoot it yourself or to sell it? If it's to shoot for yourself, do whatever you want. If you plan to sell this, no, do not place any thank you's anywhere on this script. In fact, asking this question implies you're new to the game so I would also suggest you slow down and take the time to share your work with other screenwritiers to insure it's the best possible draft you can muster.

But again, no, do not place a thank you anywhere in the screenplay if you plan to sell this or be taken seriously, no matter how much your friend helped. If it sells, you can buy him something special as a thank you. Having a thank you on the script will scream amateur and it will be tossed into the circular file.

Good luck.
 
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Thank you Jonathan, I appreciate that (and btw, I just want to point out the coincidence that my script title is similar to yours, weird :P). In answer to both of you guys, I'm most likely not going to be producing this myself... at least not for a while - if it gets produced at all!

In the past I would make my films and do the credits at the end, ensuring I thanked everyone. However, because I'm writing a script for others, I'm unfamiliar with some of the nitpicky things.

You're totally correct, Alveraz, I am new to the game. I've written scripts for my own small productions, but because this isn't for me, I need to ensure it sticks to conventions.

I'm resorting to asking here because several Google searches along the lines of "script accreditations" etc, have come up with nothing. I don't know whether that is a sign that few people consider thanking others in scripts or what...

But thank you very much, you've been a great help :)
 
Zak Forsman said:
why not name a character or location after him or something? something that will carry over into the film.
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Especially the villain, I think that always is the best idea. Or someone who is particularly unlikable. Then make a big deal about how you named someone after him, and he'll just have to see the movie ;)
 
Sorry for the delayed reply.

That sounds like a great idea, thanks Zak!

I'd feel bad naming a bad character after him... I'll work something out :)

I've registered a draft with the guild, so I'll do it for the next update. You guys rock, I really appreciate your responses.
 
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