Should movies credit session musicians too?

[Matt C 605]

I've noticed this recently -- this tends to be for mostly Europa-produced movies and the rare U.S. film like Source Code. Mostly if a certain ensemble is involved a la London Symphony Orchestra, Northwest Sinfonia, or even the Hollywood Studio Symphony, they'll be credited by name only. Some scores recorded in L.A. or London don't even mention the location.

But it's even rarer to see the full list of orchestra performers mentioned in a film like Lockout or Source Code. Should more studios be required to do this or does it really matter?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,386]

Why?

[Josh500 1,620]

If I were one of the orchestra members, I'd definitely want to be credited.

Sometimes they even list all the carpenters who worked on the stage props and furniture and whatnot, so why not?

[Jill Sandwich 11,166]

Because who cares about the music?

[indy4 160]

Yes, they should. At least soloists.

[Josh500 1,620]

Well, soloist are usually listed, aren't they?

Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, etc.

[Hlao-roo 390]

Hey, let's not get too crazy now. You keep heading down this road, sooner or later you'll have to start crediting the Angela Morleys of the world, and we know how horrible it would be to impugn the absolute nature of Williams' artistic autonomy.

[Naïve Old Fart 13,021]

To be part of a credit that says "LSO" (or whatever) should be good enough, after all the "LSO" is a moveable feast, and perhaps not all members played on the score at any one time (case in point, "Jane Eyre", which had members of the LSO playing on it, but not the full compliment).

I do suggest that all members who played on the score be credited individually on the c.d. booklet, (as the Hollywood Studio Symphony is fond of doing, for scores as far back as "The Swarm", and "Capricorn One"). This seems logical and respectful, as most - if not all - artists are credited on jazz, and rock, and blues albums, etc. For instance, an album that says "peter gabriel" is not just made and played on by Peter Gabriel...

If members of an orchestra insist that their names be on the end credits of a film, then surely, shouldn't the names of those who have played on featured songs in the film, get the same courtesy?

[Maurizio 6,913]

Spike Lee's Inside Man credited every single Hollywood studio orchestra musician during the end credits roll. It's the only time I saw such a thing.

[Incanus 5,890]

Hey, let's not get too crazy now. You keep heading down this road, sooner or later you'll have to start crediting the Angela Morleys of the world, and we know how horrible it would be to impugn the absolute nature of Williams' artistic autonomy.

[Maurizio 6,913]

To be part of a credit that says "LSO" (or whatever) should be good enough, after all the "LSO" is a moveable feast, and perhaps not all members played on the score at any one time (case in point, "Jane Eyre", which had members of the LSO playing on it, but not the full compliment).

Many LSO members are also session players for orchestral recordings in the London scene. For example, Harry Potter 1 & 3, even though not officially LSO recordings, features the majority of LSO members (incl. the late great Maurice Murphy). From what I was told once by an Italian session conductor, LSO has some strict clauses about their crediting--for example, if there are sections using sampled instruments they don't give the credit "Performed by the LSO".

[Josh500 1,620]

To be perfectly honest, I think they should be credited!

If only because then the end credits roll lasts longer, and we get to hear more (JW) music...

[BloodBoal 8,711]

[Josh500 1,620]

No.

[JoeinAR 1,957]

absolutely not. the credits are too long as it is.

[BloodBoal 8,711]

[Brónach 1,330]

I like the musicians credited.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,386]

absolutely not. the credits are too long as it is.

I agree!

[BloodBoal 8,711]

[hornist 1,261]

Of course the musicians should be credited. All kind of other people get credited, catering, drivers, make-up artists etc...

It is often music that is the best part in these otherwise mediocre films...

And we are talking about the second greatest profession in the world here.

[BloodBoal 8,711]

[hornist 1,261]

Damn, You of all people didn't fall into that trap... :folder: ...

[Matt C 605]

Why?

Since they did help with the score, with... you know performing it and all.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,386]

Why not credit all the extra's?

[JoeinAR 1,957]

I liked that Jaws had barely enough credits to allow for less than 2 minutes of endtitles music.

[Luke Skywalker 2,383]

if that means cheaper re-use fees for the OSTs, expanded, whatever CD release, BRING IT ON.

[JoeinAR 1,957]

I don't even want them to get credit on the album liners.

[Josh500 1,620]

We're discussing this like we actually have a say in the matter!

[gkgyver 1,647]

Of course they could, and should, be credited.

First of all, if you think credits are too long already, then my question is: who in the world actually reads the end credits?

Secondly, few people actually watch the credits anyway, and the few who do watch them surely wouldn't give a damn if they lasted 5 seconds longer. And those who don't watch them don't give a rat's fart anyway.

And thirdly, if you credit caterers and personal assistants/burger fetchers, you sure as hell can credit orchestra players by name as well.

We're discussing this like we actually have a say in the matter!

We also discuss about Oscar winners and complete Harry Potter box sets, and tell me we have a say in those matters!

[Incanus 5,890]

Well if they credit all the CGI special effects grinding lemmings of all the special effects companies (usually in five rows of endless lists of names for biggest effects block busters) they should certainly credit the musicians.

[Brónach 1,330]

I don't think crediting a big big orchestra would take much noticeable time in four or five rows.

If I made films I would want the orchestra credited.

[Jilal 681]

Of course they could, and should, be credited.

First of all, if you think credits are too long already, then my question is: who in the world actually reads the end credits?

Secondly, few people actually watch the credits anyway, and the few who do watch them surely wouldn't give a damn if they lasted 5 seconds longer. And those who don't watch them don't give a rat's fart anyway.

I always watch the full end credits of a film, which annoys these hostesses with their 3d glasses stands very much.

[Brónach 1,330]

I always watch the full end credits of a film, which annoys these hostesses with their 3d glasses stands very much.

I always do that. Depending of the cinema some get annoyed. What I've seen happen is some staff start cleaning while the credits roll, which doesn't bother me.

But If I dislike the film or the music on the the end credits then I don't see them. If I love the film I feel like I must stay

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,386]

I agree with Joe. Credits are already far too long.

[Brónach 1,330]

What is far too long?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,386]

3 minutes is really long enough. Who but the unions and the family members of people in the credits really care about who was second ADR assistant or third carpenters apprentice!

[JoeinAR 1,957]

far too long is when you have to sit through 12 minutes of credit to see the ending to POTC3.

I do not care that every kiddie with a computer gets a film credit because of the overrated octothing in Potc.

another example in Iron Man 2 Scarlett Johansson's blemish remover was credited. Or in Terminator 2, the penis remover was credited for removing Robert Patrick's penis, which btw actually wasn't removed.

[Brónach 1,330]

I would have 10 minute credits happily. Depending of the film there's the possibility of using part of them (or all of them) as an animated sequence or something of that sort, which doesn't let any names go that fast.

[Koray Savas 2,260]

I always watch the credits, it's part of the film for me. A lot of the times I look out for specific roles to see who did what, if I'm not interested in the names I just enjoy the music. What I hate the most is when 70% of the theater is up and out before the director credit hits the screen.

[gkgyver 1,647]

Honestly, people ...

you are complaining about endless waves of text AFTER the feature film, do you have to watch it? No.

Does it matter that you have to endure 5 additional seconds until you can see a scene after the credits, which happens in very few movies anyway?

Please.

[Hlao-roo 390]

I'm with you, gkgyver. Personally, I think they should post genealogies in the end credits as well.

[Josh500 1,620]

Honestly, people ...

you are complaining about endless waves of text AFTER the feature film, do you have to watch it? No.

Does it matter that you have to endure 5 additional seconds until you can see a scene after the credits, which happens in very few movies anyway?

Please.

[Wojo 2,458]

Long gone are the days of putting all the credits before the movie actually begins, under a lengthy and gorgeous overture, so that when "The End" hits the screen, it actually is.

The glorious epics of the 50s and 60s and before did this. Even Jaws had really short End Credits. I kinda miss this.

On the other hand, when the movie's over, and as long as I know there is no post-credits scene (usually limited to nerd movies), my date is probably hungry and wants to get rolling.

[Naïve Old Fart 13,021]

But are you watching them, for fuck's sake?

Yes, YES, YES!!! No matter how bad the film is, I always watch the end titles, usually for the music. "John Carter" had great end title music.

Anyway, some end titles can introduce some completely original music, so, often, they ARE worth sitting through.

[Josh500 1,620]

Yes, YES, YES!!!

Dude, you sound like Meg Ryan in that diner...

[Hlao-roo 390]

Yes, YES, YES!!!

Dude, you sound like Meg Ryan in that diner...

I always read Richard's posts with Meg Ryan's voice in my head.

[Josh500 1,620]

Yes, YES, YES!!!

Dude, you sound like Meg Ryan in that diner...

I always read Richard's posts with Meg Ryan's voice in my head.

Still a classic, still makes me laugh!

[Matt C 605]

Why not credit all the extra's?

Now you're pushing it, son.

[JoeinAR 1,957]

after the 10 billion people named at the end of the avenger's credits for the not so remarkable special effects there is no way in hell that musicians need to be listed. OMG you could graduate, find a girl friend, get her pregnant, have the baby, raise it, put the kid through high school, wait for it to knock up some girl and have a grandbaby and then the credits might be over.

[KittBash 361]

Why not they credit the guy making sandwiches!