Tuesday, 17 November 2015

Common features of Opening Credits

This may not be correct for all films, but my research has shown that this is the common order in which opening credits are in:

Name of the studio - The name of the production studio or distribution company, for example 'Columbia, Lionsgate and Marvel Studios'
Name of the production company - The group of companies who have invested into making the film. There names would follow with "In association with" or "A (studio name) production"
The producer or directors name - "A film by.." or "A (name) film"
Starring - The names of the main actors who appear within the film, the main stars, for example 'Bradd Pitt' or 'Johnny Depp'
The Films title - The name of the film, for example 'Juno', 'A New York Winters Tale' and 'Elf'
Featuring - Other actors who star in the film, usually not as well known as the 'starring' actors.
Casting by - the casting director(s)
Music by - the composer of the music for the film, original
Production design -  these vary dependant on the genre of film but can include:
  • Set Design
  • Costumes or Costumes BY
  • Hairdressers
  • Make-up artist
  • Sound Recording (older films)
  • Visual Effects Director or Visual Effects By
Editor - the person who edited the movie

Director or photography
Producer/produced by/executive producer - sometimes contains co-producers or 'Also produces by'
Based on the book/character by - if the movie is based on a novel the name of the novel will appear
Writers/written by - name of the person who wrote the screenplay
Director - usually one name, this credit appears last