I was reading about it in a screenwriting book and I was really terrified... It said that, even if you wrote the screenplay, you will never ever get screen credit ( if the movie is made, your name will appear as a writer) unless you're willing to put up a really hard fight, a battle against all other writers hired to re-write your script, once submitted. It also said this is unlikely to happen and you might never win a case. So, is receiving screen credit that difficult or did things change in the meantime? (the book is a few years old, I think.) Can your agent/manager help you with that? What happens if you don't necessarily want to receive screen credit? Are these credits really important to you? PS: I'm not a " warrior " type, so...: ) Thank you for taking your time to read this!:)
Screenwriting : Is receiving screenplay credit that bad? by Victor Titimas
Is receiving screenplay credit that bad?
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That is why I am making my film myself I wrote it. I am going to direct it, I am going to produce it. Credit? I'd rather have the cash. Than again that's me. What do I know? I am just a boy from Brooklyn trying to make it in Manhattan. Hello, Baby!!
What he said. Screenwriting's a wonderful passion, muse, and creative outlet. But if you plan on making a living off it, you'd better have a relative to live with.
Check out Stephanie Palmer's website goodinaroom Very few of us will get 'discovered', but if that happens, you're on your way....you will get credit for your work. Only 2.5 people can have their name on the 'screenplay by' credit on a movie, and often the director wants to be one of them (or the only one). And yes, your screenplay is going to have many 'hired hands' changing it. What's important now is to write, write a lot, learn to edit based on other's suggestions, so that when that time comes, you can demonstrate that you can make the suggested notes just like anyone else, even better than anyone else. Make your own movies. And, I think, realize that for the first few option deals you get, it will likely end up with your name NOT in the 'screenplay by' line. I think that sucks too, but it might end up being that way.
I wouldn't believe that for a second, Victor. It sounds at best, like a generalization. Every situation is different and has to be taken under its own merits. Sure, there have been some instances where the original writer has received no credit but for the author to say, "you will never ever get screen credit unless you're willing to put up a really hard fight" sounds like crap to me. I've had no problems receiving screen credit for my work, current and in progress, but maybe I'm lucky enough to not do business with shysters.