Yeah, I didn't realize until recently that the reason you see so many long lists of writers in movie credits, is because if they use one word of a writer's draft in the final version, then they have to be credited.
Yeah, I didn't realize until recently that the reason you see so many long lists of writers in movie credits, is because if they use one word of a writer's draft in the final version, then they have to be credited.
It's one of my favorite DC movies too.I didn't realize Birds of Prey was so well liked.
Oh, I could have sworn I remembered hearing a story about how Joss Whedon was credited as a writer on a movie, even though the only like one sentence or part of a sentence was used in the shooting script from his draft. Buut since it was in the shooting scrip he had to get a writing credit, because there was a rule that if any amount of a draft is used, no matter how small, the person who wrote has to get a credit.Oh, that's not true at all. From the WGA Screen Credits Manual:
“Written by” credit generally will not be shared by more than two writers. In unusual cases, andsolely as the result of arbitration, the names of three writers or the names of writers constitutingthree writing teams may be used. The limitation on the number of writers applies to all feature-length photoplays except episodic pictures and revues....Story credit may not be shared by more than two writers.Irreducible Shared Story Minimum: In the case of an original screenplay, the first writer shall be entitled to no less than a shared story credit.3. "Screen Story by"If the writer is furnished source material of a story nature but takes from it only a springboard, acharacterization, an incident, or some equally limited contribution, creating a substantially newand different story from the source material, the writer may receive "Screen Story by" credit, butonly as the result of arbitration. In such cases, the author of the source material may be givencredit that specifies the form in which such material was acquired -- for instance, "From a Playby," "From a Novel by," "From a Saturday Evening Post Story by," "From a Series of Articlesby," "Based on a Story by," etc. There is no percentage requirement to receive this credit.“Screen Story” credit may not be shared by more than two writers....ii. Percentage Requirements1) Original screenplay: The first writer on an original screenplay shall be entitledto screenplay credit if such writer’s work represents a contribution of more than 33% to the finalshooting script. Any subsequent writer or writing team must contribute 50% to the final shootingscript. A subsequent writer who is a production executive, or a subsequent writing team thatincludes a production executive, must contribute more than 50% to the final shooting script.2) Non-original screenplay: Any writer, including a production executive, whosework represents a contribution of more than 33% to the final shooting script shall be entitled toscreenplay credit.Where a writer performs services individually and as part of a writing team, such writer’sindividual work may not be combined with work done as part of the team for the purposes ofassessing such writer’s contribution to the final shooting script.
There's a whole set of complicated rules for arbitrating which writers have contributed enough material to deserve one of the finite number of credits that are allowed. The whole point is to try to avoid cluttering up the credits with too many names. (Although evidently the producers' union doesn't have the same concern, given how many dozens of executive producers any given TV series has these days.)
Oh, I could have sworn I remembered hearing a story about how Joss Whedon was credited as a writer on a movie, even though the only like one sentence or part of a sentence was used in the shooting script from his draft. Buut since it was in the shooting scrip he had to get a writing credit, because there was a rule that if any amount of a draft is used, no matter how small, the person who wrote has to get a credit.
We use essential cookies to make this site work, and optional cookies to enhance your experience.