The “Created by” credit on a series is not determined until there is a series order. There are two ways a writer becomes eligible to seek “Created by” credit on an original series: a writer writes a format for the series; or. a writer receives “Story by” or “Written by” credit on the pilot episode of the series.

A “Story by” credit is used when the writer was hired (as a WGA member) to write for story, when the story idea was purchased from the writer by a WGA signatory company, or when the resultant script is based on a sequel story devised by the writer under the WGA’s jurisdiction.

WHAT ARE RESIDUALS? Residuals are compensation paid for the reuse of a credited writer’s work. When you receive credit on produced Guild-covered material, you are entitled to compensation if the material is reused.

A “story by” credit is given to the person or team who came up with the essence of a film (such as the plot or main characters) and who may have written a treatment, but who didn’t write the screenplay. A “written by” credit is given to the person or team who both conceived of the story and wrote the screenplay.

A writer might be credited with the “story” for a movie, but not the “screenplay,” if he wrote a treatment but not the final script. Usually, if one writer handles both “story” and “screenplay,” he/she receives a more general “written by” credit.

Script writing (or screenwriting) is the process of writing stories in the screenplay medium. Script writing is writing down the movement, actions, expression and dialogue of the characters in screenplay, in screenplay format. The process of writing a novel, a poem, or essay, is entirely different than script writing.

“Written by” This credit is used when the writer or writing team is entitled to both the “Story by” credit (see below) and the “Screenplay by” credit. — this credit cannot be used because it refers to the fact that the credited writer(s) is the originator of the film’s story.

The term “Written by” is used when the writer(s) is entitled to both the “Story by” credit and the “Teleplay by” credit. This credit shall not be granted where there is source material of a story nature. However, biographical, newspaper and other factual sources may not necessarily deprive the writer of such credit.

There are two ways a writer becomes eligible to seek “Created by” credit on an original series: a writer writes a format for the series; or. a writer receives “Story by” or “Written by” credit on the pilot episode of the series.

2. Determine Who Gets Songwriting Credit. A songwriting copyright is awarded to those who jointly contributed to the song’s structure, chord progressions, and lyrics. This can be anyone, even the members of the rhythm section.

Separated Rights are a group of rights that the WGA Theatrical and Television Basic Agreement (“MBA”) provides to writers of original material. They are derived from Copyright, which is a bundle of rights. The WGA negotiated for certain of the copyright rights to be separated out and conveyed instead to the writer.

This credit is used when the writer or writing team is entitled to both the “Story by” credit (see below) and the “Screenplay by” credit.

Some movie credits feature some fun animation which keeps fan eyes on the screen waiting for more. A great example is the Marvel Action’s Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2. The animation was also quite hilarious, and it makes you want to even go through the end credit more than once.

However, in most cases, end credit begins with ‘above-the-line’ (ATL) individuals. These individuals most times have their names standing alone before the lengthy credits start. Either way, the actors and production team members are acknowledged in their different discipline.

Screenwriters like Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian, Kevin Smith, the late Carrie Fisher, and even Quentin Tarantino (he touched up dialogue for Crimson Tide) have made a career of uncredited work on screenplays. Needless to say, onscreen credits don’t always represent the writing that has been done on any given produced film.