I’ve noticed that in a lot of movies, if the name of the director of photography appears in the opening credits, it is usually followed by one or two abbreviations. ASC (which I assume stands for American Society of Cinematographers) is probably the most common one.
Is there a reason for this? I mean, I don’t see any of the other members of the production team splashing their credentials around the screen. (Not that I see this as a problem, mind you) Should I leave the theater during the opening credits if I notice that the DP’s name unadorned by initials?
The other is, I think, BSC and I believe that is for British cinematographers.
It is probably something the union negotiated in their deal with the producers to indicate in which organization they have membership.
Not only should you leave the theatre if you don’t see this, you should flee! Run out screaming flailing your arms and knocking as much popcorn in the air as possible.
There was a Muppet movie, with Kermit and Fonzie in a hot air balloon while the credits are rollings. Fonzie Asks “Hey Kermit what does BSC ((Or what ever it was)) mean?” Kermit “Gee Fonzie I don’t know”
The casting agents usually have letters after their names as well, so it’s not unique to cinematographers. Zebra’s hypothesis seems correct - it probably has to do with union negotiations.
I know it was already established by 1982 that screenwriters would get equal sized billing with directors in screen credits, and that the screenwriting credit would come right before the director credit; and I believe this practice began in the 1970s.
I don’t think that’s right. At least through the nineties writers were only getting third billing, behind the producer. Then I stopped paying attention for a while, I guess. But I recently noticed that they now get second billing, right behind the director.
Well, that confirms that that’s how it was twenty-three years ago, when the column was written. That’s not how it is now, and as I said, I was just wondering when it changed.