Possesory Credit

In My Humble Opinion
1

This may have the makings of a debate, but I’m simply going to ask it as an opinion, and let it go from there.

I noted (albeit in a quick perusal) that part of the deal struck by the Writers’ Guild and the “companies,” called for no use of the “possesory credit” this year. This (I’m pretty sure) is the credit that reads “A Film by (Director).”

IIRC, it was first foisted on us by Alfred Hitchcock. Now I love his work, but I think no man/woman has the right to use this auteur credit. It is first and foremost a film by the writer, shaped by the director, and hundreds of other people.

MHO–This fucking credit is bullshit! What is yours? If Anamorphic sees this, I would love to get his informed opinion as a working screenwriter and as a director.

Sir Rhosis

2

Well there are a few people who write, direct, produce and (pretty much) edit the thing themselves. If they did all that they should get the credit.

3

Zebra,

You are correct, though of “all” movies made, such people wearing all the hats are rare. It was sloppy of me not to clarify by saying, “In general, this credit is BS.”

Sir Rhosis

4

I’ve noticed that in British television series, the title of the program is generally followed by the credit “by [writer’s name]”. I always liked that. The story is by the writer. Of course directors are generally believed to have a much greater role in making films than TV shows. TV directors are usually listed somewhere at the back.