Introduction

The credit of screenwriters in English film titles is an essential aspect of acknowledging the creative contributions of those who have written the screenplay. Properly crediting screenwriters not only respects their work but also provides audiences with crucial information about the film’s creative origins. This article will delve into the nuances of crediting screenwriters in English film titles, offering guidelines and best practices to ensure accurate and respectful attribution.

The Importance of Proper Credit

  1. Respect for Creators: Crediting screenwriters is a fundamental aspect of respecting their creative contributions to the film industry.
  2. Consumer Information: Audiences often seek out films based on the screenwriters’ reputations or specific genres they specialize in.
  3. Industry Standards: The film industry has established protocols for crediting screenwriters, which should be followed to maintain consistency.

The Structure of a Screenwriter’s Credit

A typical screenwriter’s credit in an English film title follows a specific structure:

[Screenwriter's Name(s)] (Screenwriter's Role)

Example:

Charlie Kaufman (Writer)
Christopher Nolan & Jonathan Nolan (Screenplay by)
Shakespeare (Based on the play by)

Common Screenwriter Roles

  1. Writer: The primary creator of the screenplay.
  2. Screenplay by: Indicates the screenplay was adapted from an existing work, such as a novel or play.
  3. Based on: Indicates the film is based on a true story, another film, or a work of fiction.
  4. Story by: Indicates the writer(s) contributed to the original story but did not write the screenplay.
  5. Executive Producer: Although not a screenwriter, this credit may be associated with a writer who also has an executive producer role.

Guidelines for Crediting Screenwriters

  1. Identify the Role: Determine the appropriate role for the screenwriter based on their contribution to the screenplay.
  2. List Multiple Writers: If there are multiple writers, list their names in alphabetical order by surname.
  3. Use the Correct Pronouns: For female screenwriters, use “she” or “her” instead of “he” or “his” in the credit.
  4. Credit Adaptations: If the screenplay is an adaptation, include the original source material in parentheses.
  5. Credit Multiple Versions: If the film has been rewritten multiple times, credit each writer for their respective contributions.
  6. Acknowledge Collaborations: When multiple writers collaborated on a screenplay, credit them together with a hyphen or “and” to denote their joint effort.

Examples of Properly Credited Screenwriters

Example 1: Original Screenplay

Christopher Nolan (Writer)

Example 2: Adaptation

Greta Gerwig (Screenplay by) (Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott)

Example 3: Multiple Writers

Quentin Tarantino & Roger Avary (Screenplay by)

Example 4: Collaborative Effort

David Fincher & Aaron Sorkin (Screenplay by)

Example 5: Adaptation with Multiple Writers

Charlie Kaufman & Donald Burgess (Screenplay by) (Based on the novel by David Foster Wallace)

Conclusion

Properly crediting screenwriters in English film titles is a critical practice that respects the creative contributions of these artists. By following these guidelines and examples, filmmakers, producers, and distributors can ensure that screenwriters receive the appropriate recognition for their work. This not only upholds industry standards but also provides valuable information to audiences seeking out quality films.