The Tool Desk
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Who decides the order of film credits?
Different authorities govern different credit categories. Guild rules apply to productions and credits within their coverage; contracts can add or specify obligations. That is why there is no single master ranking that determines the order of every actor, director, writer, producer, and crew member in every film.
- Writing credits: For a theatrical film covered by the Writers Guild of America (WGA), the WGA’s process determines writing credits under its applicable rules.
- Director credits: The Directors Guild of America (DGA) reviews screen and paid-advertising credit submissions for projects covered by its agreements. Those agreements establish minimum requirements, and additional credit terms may be negotiated.
- Other credits and specific billing rights: The applicable agreements and individual contracts matter. The reviewed guild guidance does not establish one universal order for all credits or all films.
For a particular film, the production’s coverage and the relevant agreements and contracts are needed to establish exact credit rights and placement.
How WGA writing-credit order is decided
The WGA Screen Credits Manual describes the process for theatrical films within its jurisdiction. Credit determination is based on material contributed to the final shooting script, as represented on screen—not an arbitration committee’s personal preference for one script over another. The WGA says its process seeks to ensure that writers who make the most significant contributions to a screenplay are acknowledged on screen. WGA Screen Credits Manual
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When writers share a credit
For writers sharing a credit, the most substantial contributor overall generally receives first position, subject to the Arbitration Committee’s discretion. If contributions are determined to be equal, or arbiters cannot agree on the order, the names are ordered chronologically. This is a rule for covered WGA writing credits, not a general rule for cast or crew billing.
Where covered writing credits appear on screen
WGA guidance generally places the writing credit next to the director credit. The exact position depends on whether it appears in the main titles or end titles, and on the type of writing credit. These requirements apply under the relevant WGA agreements; they should not be treated as rules for every film. WGA guidance on creative rights for writers
| Presentation | WGA guidance for covered credits |
|---|---|
| Main titles | The writing credit appears on a card immediately before the director’s card and no more than the second credit before the film begins. When “Story by” and “Screenplay by” appear on separate cards, “Story by” comes first. |
| End titles | The writing credit follows the director’s credit as the second end-title card. When “Screenplay by” and “Story by” appear on separate cards, “Screenplay by” comes first. |
The detailed placement rules for theatrical writing credits are in the WGA Theatrical Credits Procedures Guide.
For director credits in the covered contexts described by the DGA, “Directed by” is an acceptable form. The DGA reviews final main and end titles for compliance with applicable agreements. It also notes that many directors choose a “Film by” or possessory credit, which is restricted for a director’s first feature unless stated conditions apply. DGA Credits
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What a billing block means
A billing block is the compact group of credits commonly set near the bottom of a film poster or other film advertising. It may include cast, production, and key creative credits. The term describes a presentation of credits, not the film’s complete on-screen credit sequence. Billing (performing arts)
Its contents, sequence, size, and prominence can depend on applicable guild provisions and negotiated contracts. Guild guidance establishes that some screen and advertising credits are regulated, but it does not provide one universal billing-block order for all productions. A poster’s billing therefore should not be assumed to reproduce the opening credits, end credits, or a shared WGA writing-credit order.
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How to compare two credit lists
When two films—or two presentations of credits for the same film—look different, first identify what each list represents. Then check the rules and agreements that apply to that case:
Quick Recap
- Credit category: Is the question about writing, directing, acting, producing, or crew credits?
- Presentation: Is the list from opening titles, end titles, paid advertising, a poster billing block, or another publicity format?
- Applicable authority: Which guild agreement, if any, covers the production and that credit category?
- Negotiated terms: Do individual talent or production contracts specify additional credit obligations?
- Production type and jurisdiction: Do not assume a rule for a WGA-covered theatrical feature governs a non-covered production or a different medium.
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