Deal Memos

At the start of the collaboration process, the director (or producer) must have the additional writer(s) complete a standard Crew Deal Memo. This includes a space to decide upon how the additional writer(s) will be credited in the finished film.

It is recommended that all parties draft a scope-of-work agreement for the tasks at hand. This could include a description of what work the additional writer(s) will contribute, how many drafts, and due dates. Defining what constitutes final delivery for the additional writer(s) is advised. This document can be a helpful way for making sure everyone’s on the same page before the work commences.

Credit Definitions

Writing credits for motion pictures, as defined by the Writers Guild of America, are determined within a very specific set of definitions. Each type of credit has a distinct meaning and purpose, as described below:

STORY BY
The term “story” means all writing representing a contribution “distinct from screenplay and consisting of basic narrative, idea, theme or outline indicating character development and action.” “Distinct from screenplay” means that the contributions considered for story should not be applied to screenplay credit, nor should contributions considered for screenplay credit be applied to story credit. A story may be written in story form or may be contained within other literary material, such as a treatment or a screenplay, for purposes of receiving “Story by” credit.

SCREENPLAY BY
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 or when the writer(s) entitled to “Story by” credit is different from the writer(s) entitled to “Screenplay by” credit.

WRITTEN BY
The credit “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.

&
Writers working closely together as a writing team are credited using an ampersand: e.g., “Written by Ben Mekler & Chris Amick”.

AND
Writers working independently on drafts are listed in the credits with an “and” between them to signify that they worked separately: e.g., “Screenplay by Joe Eszterhas and Julianna Baggott”.

Determining credits

Determining of final credits is entirely at the discretion of the faculty. If there’s a dispute over how much a student contributed or whether a credit is deserved, faculty will arbitrate by reviewing the writing materials and deciding the final credits.

If a writer contributes in a manner that fits the above definitions, they are eligible for receiving the applicable writing credit(s) in the finished film.

If a writer’s contributions don’t pass the threshold for one of the above credits — e.g., they give notes on a script or help with kicking around ideas, but don’t contribute significantly to the mapping out the story or the writing of the script — a writing credit will not be awarded. Instead, a mention in the “SPECIAL THANKS” section of the credits can be used to acknowledge their support.

Sample scenarios

Brock and Chest conceive the story and write the screenplay together as a writing team. Credits would read:
Written by Brock Landers & Chest Rockwell

Kar-leung comes up with the story, Hsing-Hsiu writes the screenplay. Credits would read:
Story by Lau Kar-leung
Screenplay by Huang Hsing-Hsiu

Marlene comes up with the story, and then works as a writing team with Bill on the writing of the script. Credits would read:
Story by Marlene Clark
Screenplay by Marlene Clark & Bill Gunn

Emilio comes up with the story and writes a draft of the script, then María takes over to do a rewrite of the script. Credits would read:
Story by Emilio Fernández
Screenplay by Emilio Fernández and María Félix

Mario gives notes on Daria’s script. Credits would read:
Written by Daria Nicolodi
Special Thanks to Mario Bava (at end of crawl)

Baz develops a story for a movie about Elvis. Baz forms a writing partnership with Sam to write the screenplay. Baz then forms a new writing partnership with Craig to rewrite the screenplay. Jeremy then reworks part of the story and rewrites the screenplay. Credits read:
Story by Baz Luhrmann and Jeremy Doner
Screenplay by Baz Luhrmann & Sam Bromell and Baz Luhrmann & Craig Pearce and Jeremy Doner