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Writing credits....
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DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorBerak
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Registered: May 10, 2007
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This has probably been debated before, but persistent as I am I need som clarification as to the consesus of writing credits.

If a person is credited with "story by" do we contribute the person as OMB or Writer?

I know a lot of you guys use OMB for "story by", but it somehow feels wrong as the description field for this reads Book, poem, song etc whilst Writer says written directly for the screen .

Writer seems logical to me, but at the same time it doesn't as sometimes a person credited with "story by" also is credited with "screenwriter"....

HELP!!! 
Berak

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True love conquers all!
DVD Profiler Unlimited Registrantnuoyaxin
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Registered: March 13, 2007
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Story By = OMB

Writer is only used for Written By or Writer credit.
Achim [諾亞信; Ya-Shin//Nuo], a German in Taiwan.
Registered: May 29, 2000 (at InterVocative)
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributornorthbloke
Registered: March 15, 2007
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It depends on what you mean by "story by".

If the "story by" refers to a short story, or a book etc. then it's OMB

if the "story by" refers to a story written specifically for the screen (this mostly happens for TV: someone will write the story, but someone else will write the screenplay), then they get a writer credit (and whoever did the screenplay gets screenwriter).

Hope this helps 
 Last edited: by northbloke
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorBerak
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All good and well, but still there are some "gray areas"...

Example;

Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning has Sheldon Turner and David J. Schow credited as "Story by" and Sheldon Turner credited as "Screenplay by"

Nothing makes sense for me here guys.... 
Berak

It's better to burn out than to fade away!
True love conquers all!
 Last edited: by Berak
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorBehemot
Registered: Aug. 23, 2004
Registered: March 14, 2007
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Story by should be Original Material by.

Writer should only be used when the credits say Written by or Writer - that's what the rules say.

TCM: The Beginning should then have the following writing credits:
Sheldon Turner - Original Material by
David J. Schow - Original Material by
Sheldon Turner - Screenwriter


And Screenwriter and Writer should be mutually exclusive - either it says Screenplay (or Teleplay) by or it says Written by.
 Last edited: by Behemot
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantDr. Killpatient
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Registered: May 19, 2007
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I tend to leave the "gray areas" blank.  If it's not a match, I don't enter it at this time.
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantSailorRipley
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Registered: May 9, 2007
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Behemot is quite right.

As for the 'why' of it in the case of TCM: The Beginning, there are multiple possibilities, but only one result. Probably what happened is this:

Let's say David J. Schow comes and writes a first draft of an original screenplay, either by his choice or because he was asked to by the studio.

The studio then decides that the screenplay sucks and they better find another writer to rewrite it all over again.

The call in a second screenwriter: Sheldon Turner. Turner then scraps off all of the material written by Schow, but he keeps a very basic premise of that first draft. Since Turner has kept the Schow premise in his draft but he also built an entire different plot, both Turner AND Schow will get a 'story by' credit per the Writers Guild Association rules.

After a good bunch of different drafts, Turner ends up with the final draft of the script and Schow is never heard from again. The WGA gives Turner a 'Screenplay by' credit

Thus:
Story by David J. Schow and Sheldon Turner = Original Material by David J. Schow and Sheldon Turner
Screenplay by Sheldon Turner

There are many variations to these, but I hope this can help for future reference.
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 Last edited: by SailorRipley
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorTracer
Registered: March 13, 2007
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Quoting Berak:
Quote:
All good and well, but still there are some "gray areas"...


There are no gray areas, as far as DVD profiler is concerned "Story by" is Original Material By, regardless of why the Story was written.
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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributornorthbloke
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Quoting Tracer:
Quote:
Quoting Berak:
Quote:
All good and well, but still there are some "gray areas"...


There are no gray areas, as far as DVD profiler is concerned "Story by" is Original Material By, regardless of why the Story was written.


Why do you think there are no grey areas? The credit "story by" isn't mentioned in the rules at all.
What about stories that are written for the screen? The notes for OMB credits say it is to be used when "Adapted from another medium".
So it's more accurate to use a "writer" credit in those circumstances.
 Last edited: by northbloke
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar Contributorm.cellophane
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Registered: March 13, 2007
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Quoting northbloke:
Quote:
Quoting Tracer:
Quote:
Quoting Berak:
Quote:
All good and well, but still there are some "gray areas"...


There are no gray areas, as far as DVD profiler is concerned "Story by" is Original Material By, regardless of why the Story was written.


Why do you think there are no grey areas? The credit "story by" isn't mentioned in the rules at all.
What about stories that are written for the screen? The notes for OMB credits say it is to be used when "Adapted from another medium".
So it's more accurate to use a "writer" credit in those circumstances.

No. Writer is used for original screenplays only. A story is not an original screenplay. It's written work that precedes a screenplay; hence, it's 'original material'.
...James

"People fake a lot of human interactions, but I feel like I fake them all, and I fake them very well. That’s my burden, I guess." ~ Dexter Morgan
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributornorthbloke
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But that's the grey area - a story can be an "original screenplay" if it's written for the screen.
The script itself can still be written by someone else.
And I always thought that "adapted from another medium" meant that the work had to have been previously published - is that no longer the case? I've noticed that the examples (book, poem etc.) are now missing from the rules.
 Last edited: by northbloke
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorMike D.
Registered March 20, 2004
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Quoting northbloke:
Quote:
But that's the grey area - a story can be an "original screenplay" if it's written for the screen.
The script itself can still be written by someone else.
And I always thought that "adapted from another medium" meant that the work had to have been previously published - is that no longer the case? I've noticed that the examples (book, poem etc.) are now missing from the rules.

The examples you've mention have actually been moved to the actual program now. When you go to edit the writing catagory it will give you the examples you mentioned. 

As for the "orignal screenplay" I've never seen it credited like that in either movies or tv. Usually its "story by" or "based a story by" (Original Material) and then the screenwriter will have a credit that says either "adapted by," "written for the screen by" (Screenwriter) or even "written by" (Writer). Now if it is a remake or a sequel using the same characters, but a different storyline, such as "Oceans 11 (2001) it would be "Based on Characters by."  I don't see any gray areas. To me its all cut and dry.
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 Last edited: by Mike D.
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributornorthbloke
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I don't think I explained myself properly.
What I meant was that sometimes the credit "story by" can refer to the screenplay, and the credit "written by" will refer to the script. In those cases, isn't it right to give the "story by" a "writer" credit and the "written by" a "screenwriter" credit?
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorMike D.
Registered March 20, 2004
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Quoting northbloke:
Quote:
I don't think I explained myself properly.
What I meant was that sometimes the credit "story by" can refer to the screenplay, and the credit "written by" will refer to the script. In those cases, isn't it right to give the "story by" a "writer" credit and the "written by" a "screenwriter" credit?

It really depends. In my opinion I would use "Original Material By" for the "Story By" credit, since it was most likely adapted from either a draft, magazine article, etc...  As for the writer I would use "Screenwriter," since that person did the adapting of the story. Hope this helps.
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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantSailorRipley
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Registered: May 9, 2007
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Quoting northbloke:
Quote:
I don't think I explained myself properly.
What I meant was that sometimes the credit "story by" can refer to the screenplay, and the credit "written by" will refer to the script. In those cases, isn't it right to give the "story by" a "writer" credit and the "written by" a "screenwriter" credit?


Nope. It's actually not that complicated. A screenplay and a script are exactly the same thing, but as the name implies Screenplay will be used for film and Script (or as is more commonly used, Teleplay) will be used for Television

So, whenever you have previous material, be a book, poem, OR even a screenplay, that will still be given a Screenwriter credit.

A 'Written By' credit is only given to a screenplay that was exactly written for the film and is not based in anything at all. It's an original.

In short:

  • Based on Book/Film/Play/Whatever = Original Material by

  • Story by = Original Material by

  • Screenplay by = Screenwriter

  • Written for the screen = Screenwriter (Note: this exact credit "Written for the screen by" is usually taken only by film directors when they have tackled previously existing material and have chosen their Screenwriting credit to appear along their Directing credit and will read: "Written for the screen and Directed by"; as of now this type of credit has almost disappeared completely)

  • Screenplay by = Screenwriter (Note: Sometimes, you will see this credit alone in a film with no other accompanying source, that is, there will be no credit for "Story by" or "Based on". This denotes that the film is based on ANOTHER existing material, but there are no records for any kind of publishing. This can be the case where you are filming a 'True Story', but the filmmakers have not based the screenplay in anything previously published. They have done their own research but are not crediting a single source)

  • Written by = Written by


  • No gray areas at all.
    Funny, these cookies don't taste anything like Girl Scouts.

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     Last edited: by SailorRipley
    DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar Contributorm.cellophane
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    Agree with SailorRipley. And although we don't follow the rules of outside organizations, the rules of the Writers Guild of America drive what we see as film credits in the US. Here's an appropriate chunk from their Screen Credits Manual:

    Quote:
    Screen Credits Manual

    III. Guild Policy on Credits

    A. DEFINITIONS

    1. Writer

    The term "writer" is defined in the Minimum Basic Agreement. In general, the term "writer" means a person employed by a Company to write literary material or a person from whom a Company purchased literary material who at the time of purchase was a "professional writer," as defined in the Minimum Basic Agreement.

    For purposes of credit, a team of writers, as defined in the Screen Credits Manual Section I.B., is considered as one writer.

    If literary material covered under the Minimum Basic Agreement is written by one member of a team, separate and apart from the work of the team, such literary material shall be considered separate from the literary material by the team for purposes of assessing contributions to the final shooting script. Therefore, such individual is eligible to receive writing credit as an individual writer and/or as a member of a team.

    2. Literary Material

    Literary material is written material and shall include stories, adaptations, treatments, original treatments, scenarios, continuities, teleplays, screenplays, dialogue, scripts, sketches, plots, outlines, narrative synopses, routines, and narrations, and, for use in the production of television film, formats.

    3. Source Material

    Source material is all material, other than story as hereinafter defined, upon which the story and/or screenplay is based.

    This means that source material is material assigned to the writer which was previously published or exploited and upon which the writer's work is to be based (e.g., a novel, a produced play or series of published articles), or any other material written outside of the Guild's jurisdiction (e.g., literary material purchased from a non-professional writer). Illustrative examples of source material credits are: "From a Play by", "From a Novel by", "Based upon a Story by", "From a series of articles by", "Based upon a Screenplay by" or other appropriate wording indicating the form in which such source material is acquired. Research material is not considered source material.

    4. Story

    The term "story" means all writing covered by the provisions of the Minimum Basic Agreement representing a contribution "distinct from screenplay and consisting of basic narrative, idea, theme or outline indicating character development and action."

    It is appropriate to award a "Story by" credit when: 1) the story was written under employment under Guild jurisdiction; 2) the story was purchased by a signatory company from a professional writer, as defined in the Minimum Basic Agreement; or 3) when the screenplay is based upon a sequel story written under the Guild's jurisdiction. If the story is based upon source material of a story nature, see "screen story" below.

    5. Screen Story

    Credit for story authorship in the form "Screen Story by" is appropriate when the screenplay is based upon source material and a story, as those terms are defined above, and the story is substantially new or different from the source material.

    6. Screenplay

    A screenplay consists of individual scenes and full dialogue, together with such prior treatment, basic adaptation, continuity, scenario and dialogue as shall be used in, and represent substantial contributions to the final script.

    A "Screenplay by" credit is appropriate when there is source material of a story nature (with or without a "Screen Story" credit) or when the writer(s) entitled to "Story by" credit is different than the writer(s) entitled to "Screenplay by" credit.

    7. "Written by"

    The term "Written by" is used when the writer(s) is entitled to both the "Story by" credit and the "Screenplay 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.

    8. "Narration Written by"

    "Narration Written by" credit is appropriate where the major writing contribution to a motion picture is in the form of narration. The term "narration" means material (typically off-camera) to explain or relate sequence or action (excluding promos or trailers).

    9. "Based on Characters Created by"

    "Based on Characters Created by" is a writing credit given to the writer(s) entitled to separated rights in a theatrical or television motion picture on each theatrical sequel to such theatrical or television motion picture.

    Where there are no separated rights, "Based on Characters Created by" may be accorded to the author of source material upon which a sequel is based.

    10. "Adaptation by"

    This credit is appropriate in certain unusual cases where a writer shapes the direction of screenplay construction without qualifying for "Screenplay by" credit. In those special cases, and only as a result of arbitration, the "Adaptation by" credit may be used.


    A "story" is not a screenplay and a "written by" credit is given to those scripts where the story and screenplay are credited to the same person(s). If Person A and Person B come up with a story together and Person A writes the screenplay, the Guild gives Persons A & B a joint "Story by" credit and gives Person A a separate "Screenplay by" credit. If however Person A writes the story and the screenplay, the Guild will give Person A the "Written by" credit.

    Now there's one film (An American in Paris, 1951) where I've seen a credit of "Story and Screen Play by".  Since he won the Original Screenplay Oscar that year, I personally record that one as "Written by" in my local db, but in Profiler World it's OMB and Screenwriter. So there's a little gray area for you.
    ...James

    "People fake a lot of human interactions, but I feel like I fake them all, and I fake them very well. That’s my burden, I guess." ~ Dexter Morgan
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