Explanation of the opening credits

Explanation of opening credits

There are some standards to opening credits, but some minor variations do exist typically when giving more prominence to a more famous person.

Distribution - The company is different from the production company; e.g. 'Distribution Company Name Presents' - Distribution companies are responsible for the marketing of films thus are recognised in the opening credits

Name of production - Company/companies (always respect the people with the money); e.g. 'A Big Name Production' - opening credits usually name the most significant people/companies that were involved in the production as they contributed the most money towards the film 

Director - (This is optional); e.g. 'A Ridley Scott' - the directors name is usually there as an acknowledgement of their work towards the film. For example, it would state, 'A Martin Scorsese picture' 

Top Billing Actors - (Listed in order based upon their personal fame and prominence in the movie); e.g. sometimes a big name with a smaller part can receive top billing. Equal billing is given when two actors are listed at the same time the name on the left is considered the 'slightly' more prominent name unless the name on the right is slightly 

Key cast  - ('Introducing..' for an actor's first appearance on screen; 'And..' is reversed at the end to showcase a big name actor with a small role, or 'with..' is used to showcase multiple names.