amber
A Real Movie
In order to create a professional looking film, it's extremely important to ensure that the credits appear in a way that will attract an audience. One of the most popular and traditional way to display credits is the use of a dark background and using a contrasting colour when showing the lettering, in most cases black and white work effectively in both opening and closing title sequences in films today. It is also a popular choice to add computer graphics and moving image into the titles so that it brings a more visual aspect, often reflecting the themes or styles explored in the film. Despite all this, it's crucial that no matter how the titles are delivered, they must remain in the traditional order as they have throughout the past. |
Opening
Following the much practiced tradition, the order of the opening credits begins with the Distribution Company, or main studio backer, however, since this is likely to be an independent distributor that hadn't financed the film, it will appear alone. Usually it appears listed as ‘Distribution Company Presents’ which is then followed by the name of the production company. It is common that the production company is established by the people involved in the film and can differ from being a name applied to oneself, to a full-fledged production house. This appears on screen as ‘A Production Company Name Production’ . Again following the tradition the director’s credit will appear following the production company and will be recorded as ‘A Directors Name Film’. |
Cast and Titles
The credits then to follow would be the most significant and prominent cast members featured in the film. This is often where the names of large film stars and celebrities are placed; an example of this would be the fact that Johnny Depp appears first in the cast list for the film Edward Scissorhands. There is a limit of 5 main characters which appear during the opening titles; however it is essential that all must be mentioned at some point, in most cases in the final credits. After the cast members, the title of the film it's self must make an appearance, however this should be presented in a different matter to the rest of the credits and can be done by changing the font or format in which it appears in order to show its importance through contrast. |
Cast continued
The rest of the actors involved are then mentioned after the primary members of the cast, for the reasoning that they are often not the main focus of the plot. If actors with smaller roles take place within the film they are recognised at the end of the previous listing, it's often that they will be seen as ‘James Brown as character M’. |
All Other Above The Line Positions
After the recognition of the cast and directors, the photographer, responsible for the primary score and casting directors should be listened on screen. The producers, both regular and executive, as well as the production designer then follow. Closing the opening titles is then the editor, which brings us to the end of the conventional primary positions within the listings.
Afterwards there is a slight recap in which the primary source of footage is recognised in addition to the writer of the screenplay. Despite the importance of this position, it is always to be listed last. The opening credits finish with the recognition of the director again, however this time it differs as they are all referred to by name rather that using terms such as ‘filmed by’.
After the recognition of the cast and directors, the photographer, responsible for the primary score and casting directors should be listened on screen. The producers, both regular and executive, as well as the production designer then follow. Closing the opening titles is then the editor, which brings us to the end of the conventional primary positions within the listings.
Afterwards there is a slight recap in which the primary source of footage is recognised in addition to the writer of the screenplay. Despite the importance of this position, it is always to be listed last. The opening credits finish with the recognition of the director again, however this time it differs as they are all referred to by name rather that using terms such as ‘filmed by’.