include opening credits?

08-02-2004, 10:40 AM

I just started reading Denny Martin Flinn's "How Not to Write a Screenplay." Figured I'd read enough about how to write them, now I'll see what I'm doing that I shouldn't be.

He suggests that writers include the opening credits in a screenplay if you have an idea where you want them to go. I've never thought to do this before, but I have a great scene I think would work well for this. Has anyone done this? Is he right? Is it ok to include them, or will it just piss off a prospective director, etc.?

Also, he suggests using TITLES OVER to start the credits and either LAST CREDIT FADES OUT or MAIN TITLES FINISH. Sound right to everyone?

08-02-2004, 10:43 AM

What was the title of that book again? Are you sure he is really suggesting you do it or DO NOT do it?

Generally it's a really bad idea to include opening credits or a title sequence.

08-02-2004, 10:48 AM

yep, he's suggesting that it's ok to do it if you have a good idea for it. He included the opening scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, which has it. I looked up the whole script, and it is actually in there. (early draft, not the shooting script).

Not a big deal, but I'm curious about using it.

08-02-2004, 11:22 AM

Consider the source material. Written on assignment. Not a spec.

You're writing a spec.

so, No. Don't do it. It's not your job.

also, you don't know who will be fixing the lights on set, so how can you write them into the script?

08-02-2004, 02:53 PM

No. Tell the story. Credits have nothing to do with the story.

08-02-2004, 11:16 PM

it only works if there's a specific sequence you want to open the film with that is perhaps different in tone and pacing from the actual opening of the film and you want to indicate a difference.

I've only seen it work a couple of times - work meaning I read what the writer did and thought "wow, that was cool" - but ninety nine times out of a hundred it's superfluous or annoying.

08-03-2004, 01:21 PM

This book contains as much good advice as bad advice. Your job is to tell the story. Not arrange the credits or compose a soundtrack.

What's really scary about this guy Flinn, he was a READER, yet has no clue as to the different meanings of "effect" and "affect."

He also lectures at length about proper grammar and no typos in YOUR s/p. Yet HIS book is full of typos. Flinn's example of a "good" opening scene is an entire page of black ink. I don't think so.

If you wanna read his book, fine. But read David Trottier first.

08-05-2004, 02:37 PM

I'm just not buying this book suggests this. I'll be at a book store later to confirm, cause that's a real bothersome suggestion.

No, never do that, spec or not. However, if you really want to, go for it. Just means there's one less writer I have to worry about

Good luck.

08-05-2004, 02:56 PM

Use opening credits, don't use them. It doesn't matter. Like anything, use them correctly and efficiently.

It certainly won't mean "one less writer to worry about."

08-02-2004, 10:40 AM	#1
writur Posts: n/a	include opening credits? I just started reading Denny Martin Flinn's "How Not to Write a Screenplay." Figured I'd read enough about how to write them, now I'll see what I'm doing that I shouldn't be. He suggests that writers include the opening credits in a screenplay if you have an idea where you want them to go. I've never thought to do this before, but I have a great scene I think would work well for this. Has anyone done this? Is he right? Is it ok to include them, or will it just piss off a prospective director, etc.? Also, he suggests using TITLES OVER to start the credits and either LAST CREDIT FADES OUT or MAIN TITLES FINISH. Sound right to everyone?

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08-02-2004, 10:43 AM	#2
Deus Ex Machine Posts: n/a	What was the title of that book again? Are you sure he is really suggesting you do it or DO NOT do it? Generally it's a really bad idea to include opening credits or a title sequence.

08-02-2004, 10:48 AM	#3
writur Posts: n/a	yep, he's suggesting that it's ok to do it if you have a good idea for it. He included the opening scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, which has it. I looked up the whole script, and it is actually in there. (early draft, not the shooting script). Not a big deal, but I'm curious about using it.

08-02-2004, 11:22 AM	#4
whistlelock Posts: n/a	Consider the source material. Written on assignment. Not a spec. You're writing a spec. so, No. Don't do it. It's not your job. also, you don't know who will be fixing the lights on set, so how can you write them into the script?

08-02-2004, 02:53 PM	#5
nickj Posts: n/a	No. Tell the story. Credits have nothing to do with the story.

08-02-2004, 11:16 PM	#6
jimjimgrande Posts: n/a	it only works if there's a specific sequence you want to open the film with that is perhaps different in tone and pacing from the actual opening of the film and you want to indicate a difference. I've only seen it work a couple of times - work meaning I read what the writer did and thought "wow, that was cool" - but ninety nine times out of a hundred it's superfluous or annoying.

08-03-2004, 01:21 PM	#7
Keith Kocaine Posts: n/a	This book contains as much good advice as bad advice. Your job is to tell the story. Not arrange the credits or compose a soundtrack. What's really scary about this guy Flinn, he was a READER, yet has no clue as to the different meanings of "effect" and "affect." He also lectures at length about proper grammar and no typos in YOUR s/p. Yet HIS book is full of typos. Flinn's example of a "good" opening scene is an entire page of black ink. I don't think so. If you wanna read his book, fine. But read David Trottier first.

08-05-2004, 02:37 PM	#8
Carson Parker Posts: n/a	I'm just not buying this book suggests this. I'll be at a book store later to confirm, cause that's a real bothersome suggestion. No, never do that, spec or not. However, if you really want to, go for it. Just means there's one less writer I have to worry about Good luck.

08-05-2004, 02:56 PM	#9
Otis Posts: n/a	Use opening credits, don't use them. It doesn't matter. Like anything, use them correctly and efficiently. It certainly won't mean "one less writer to worry about."