Using an alias

B

bmgllc

New member
As a director/producer, is it okay to use an alias for credit purposes? And if so, how does this work? Would you have to register the name?
 
Sure, many people use an alias in the credits, especially if they can't stop the show heading down the drain.

Try not to use anyone in the biz, or famous or criminals etc. You don't have to register it, but I'd run it past some others.

Once you decide, check your local phonebook and run a Google check, just to keep happy.

Cheers.
 
What is the purpose? Would this cause confusion in selling the film or getting residuals later?

As a screenwriter, my residuals are tied to my name.

- Bill
 
Some writers may do that if they work in a market with which they may not be keen to be identified with. Say, you work in crime stories but maybe also have a hand for real creamy and kitschy love stories. And maybe the latter bring in some money you need but would destroy your reputation in the first market. Also for writing porn it may be advisable. Director/poducer is very unusual, at least in my country. Okay, maybe if you have a strange name.....
 
i have a weird name, and I would like something that is more easy to remember. Nice to know you're a screen writer in California.
 
Aliases can lead to fame and fortune eg: comedian W.C.Fields used "Mahatma Kane Jeeves", "Otis Criblecoblis", for his writing credits.

They came from the unusual names he encountered on the road in his vaudeville days. And Mark Twain was really Samuel Clemens.

Cheers.
 
You don't think, Diablo Cody is her real name? Pen names are common. When you fill out your copyright you put your real name and your 'doing business as' name. Of thought about do this because I write kids stuff and horror. It would be bad if someone got the two mixed up. :)
 
Chris_Keaton said:
You don't think, Diablo Cody is her real name?
Click to expand...

I was debating whether to name the Daughter 'Diabla', or 'Sinistra', but those names seem to be too popular so I chose a much more uncommon name... like Mary Jane... after the shoes...
(Names have been changed to protect the innocent...).

In terms of 'name brand identification', while I have seen a number of examples for writers of novels or short stories, using pseudonyms, given that few people can even name anyone beyond perhaps the director on a film outside of the lead actors and actresses... (Don't they just sort of 'make up the dialog' as they go???)... I don't really see how it would really affect someone whether they wrote 'horror film' scripts, vs 'kiddy shows'...

Then again, perhaps writers of film scripts are coming 'out' more these days...
 
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