Screenwriting Credits Explained
Writer credits are complicated, and unpacking them for any particular project may be an impossible task without talking directly to those involved.
What Do the Different Writer Credits Mean?
Writer credits are complicated, and unpacking them for any particular project may be an impossible task without talking directly to those involved. Every detail matters: “&” and “and” mean two different things.
Generally, different credits represent how much of what you see on screen came from any particular writer. The WGA credits page has detailed breakdowns of the credits, and should have answers to any related questions that may arise.
Credits have different long-term value attached to them, as residuals and money paid to a writer from the future exploitation of a film are based on the credit that writer received. This is why writers often fight for credits, and why they sometimes take movies to arbitration in order to get the credit they feel they deserve.
Common Credits Include:
- Story by – Contribution to the narrative, premise, or structure.
- Screenplay by – Authorship of the actual script: scenes, dialogue, and action.
- Written by – Used when the same writer(s) receive both story and screenplay credit.
Punctuation Matters:
- Ampersand (&) means writers worked together as a team.
- “And” means writers worked separately, usually in sequence.
Who Decides Who Gets Writing Credit on a Movie?
For projects under WGA jurisdiction, the producer submits proposed credits to the Writers Guild of America.
All participating writers receive the final script and the proposed credit list. If no one objects, the credits become final. If a writer disputes the proposal, the process moves to arbitration.
Are Notes, Feedback, or Ideas Enough for Credit?
In short, no, that person is not inherently entitled to any credit, especially if his contribution was just notes or feedback. Much in the way ideas are not copyrightable, but screenplays are. It is the execution of the idea that’s worthy of credit– the actual “work of writing.”
Credit is awarded only for written material that appears in the final script, such as:
- Scenes
- Dialogue
- Characters
- Structure
Even significant conceptual input does not qualify unless it results in credited written work. Credits like “idea by” are rare and only appear if submitted by the production and unchallenged.
What Is Screenwriting Arbitration?
When a movie is complete, the producer submits a list of final credits to the WGA, and gives a copy of the final script to all writers involved. If any writers disagree with the proposed credits, they can file for arbitration. (Arbitration is automatically triggered if the director or any producers are credited in any writing capacity.)
Different credits have different residual values, meaning a writer can get substantially less or more for the future exploitation of a film based on credit. The WGA’s Residuals Survival Guide explains the differences in detail.
In arbitration, WGA members review all drafts of the script, and determine credits based on a formula. The basics for “screenplay” credit, from the WGA’s screen credits policy:
Any writer whose work represents a contribution of more than 33% of a screenplay shall be entitled to screenplay credit, except where the screenplay is an original screenplay. In the case of an original screenplay, any subsequent writer or writing team must contribute 50% to the final screenplay.
You can read more about that and other credits at the WGA’s screen credits policy page.
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