Why Writers Need Screen Credit

Don't forget to credit the writer 

The screen credit most commonly neglected by our student filmmakers is that of writer. Why should this be? Probably because, as animators and visual effects artists, our students tend to think visually, not in terms of language or story.  

But, however your film is imagined, it always starts with a story.  And whoever conceived that story should be credited as the writer.  

The writer credit is one of the key roles on a film, just as important as the director and producer. Why? Because in the end, it's all about telling a story.  

Writing and Story

Writing and story are part of the development process of making a short film. This involves coming up with ideas, getting them down on paper, and working them up into a compelling narrative with a beginning, middle and end. If you don't have a story, you don't have a film. 

Escape Studios Film-making Resources

BAFTA- shortlisted "Jerich0"

For more information and resources on the making of animated short films, follow the links below:

Development

• How to Write a Story
• Five Steps to Write a Great Story
• How to Pitch Your Film Idea
• Using AI to Help Generate Ideas for Short Films
• Pixar's "22 Rules of Storytelling"
• Why Animators Should Tell a Story

Pre-Production

• How to make a short animated film
• Why Animators Need Mood Boards
• Why Animators Need Colour Scripts
• Key Creative Roles on an Animated Film
• Managing Group Projects
• Why Animators Need a Storyboard Animatic
• How to Record Voice-Overs
• How to Use Grammelot
• Sound Design for Animators
• Why Animators Need Production Design

Production

• Why Animators Must Wreck Their Rigs
• What an Animation Editor Does, Exactly
• Ten Rules of Animation Dailies
• The Job of Editor on an Animated Short
• Why Animators Must Check Their Hookups
• What are CBBs? (Could be Better)
• Using Lighting to Tell the Story

Post-Production

• How Animators Work with Composers
• Royalty-free music at Bensound
• Colour Grading your film
• Screen Credits - How to Do Them Right
• Thanks and Special Thanks
• How to Create the Perfect One-Sheet Movie Poster (And Why You Need One)
• Getting Yourself (and your film) Listed at IMDB

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To apply for our BA/MArt in 3D Animation, follow this link.