Why do film credits still exist?

[annandale]

Why don't they just have a tiny subtitle of a URL you can visit for the credits come up at the start, and then that's it?

Now that films take so much funding, it's truly bizarre to have all the overcomplicated brand identity 'films' at the beginning (they're getting longer and longer and more and more of them) and really, wouldn't it help get into the film if we didn't have lists of names or a title?

[southeastastra]

i like the credits, why is it bizarre people make films? i really hate going to the cinema and when the credits come up the light go on. a film should be an experience from the start to the complete finish imo. filmmakers have to advertise...

[annandale]

I think it's weird to have the start of the film which you're waiting for interrupted by multiple little animations about the funding companies. Wasn't so bad when it was just one.

[Dowser]

I often read the credits. Usually if there's been a piece of music and I can't remember who the artist was. It's normally at the end :-(

[SaigonSaigon]

I don't know although I expect it's linked to contractual obligations for crews and contributors. Also for awards voting, people actually need to see the credits. They are expected to watch them all.

I'm sure it won't be that long before they disappear altogether on TV though. The time they take up is too precious.

[3luckystars]

To help pick out baby names!

I love the credits.

[Stopyourhavering]

My dd is a fledgling film director.....Id hate it if her efforts weren't acknowledged!.....

[strawberrie]

I always have to watch to the end of Disney/Pixar films to see the list of 'production babies'!

[Balletgirlmum]

We always stay to therms if the credits especially if the music is good like Star Wars for example or James Bond.

And Marvel films always have one or two teasers.

[gaggiagirl]

strawb babies??????

[ToDuk]

I love the credits. Why shouldn't people get the credit? Can you imagine not putting up the actors names up?

[getanotherloan]

We always stay to watch the credits - often end up being the last in the cinema and YES absolutely need to see the Production Babies! I think its respectful to all the people involved in the making of a film too - it's not just about the onscreen talent.

[strawberrie]

Production babies are the first names of all the children born to cast or crew members during the production. They come right at the very end of the credits.

I know this because my DD likes to have a wee boogie to the closing credits in the cinema, in the large space in front of the screen, we are always the last family out!

[megletthesecond]

Now I know what production babies are.

[JellyBeansHaveNoAgeLimit]

Maybe because if there was a url nobody would bother to look at it? It might be the only credit some of the crew gets. Besides if I couldn't read the name of that person I've been staring at for 2hrs but can't remember the name of I'd be really annoyed!

[Dizzybintess]

Lol I did that when I was pregnant too. It helped me to choose baby names.

[guitarguy2112]

Even if I won't remember all of their names, it feels good to acknowledge them as the two hours beforehand wouldn't have existed without their hard work.

I remember a few years ago when someone walking out told me to "just Google them" as I was watching them, so you may have a point

[paniniswapx3]

I love the credits too, so we're another family that are there until the end.

[Backingvocals]

It is weird that they still do this. It's not as if when you read a book they name the individual editor, printer, marketing person etc.

[paniniswapx3]

I do real all the acknowledgements in a book too!

[Smidge001]

Love the credits too, especially the funny ones. Made me aware of jobs I otherwise would never have known existed. I like it if I recognise a production name from another film, as well as obviously finding out who played which part.

I totally don't understand your point about the beginning credits? How do they interrupt anything? They are before the film starts aren't they? So just part of the build up.

[Smidge001]

panini me too!

[2nds]

I read the credits if I think it was a good film, I think it's a moment of pride for those who were involved in the production, plus I'm sure it's illegal not to credit the film's music and songs if they were not written for the film?

[2nds]

They tend not to make credits funny anymore I don't know why? I can't remember the last comedy I saw with funny credits.
Has anyone noticed lately how there's credits in music videos

[BigPurpleCake]

YES I have long thought this!
It's not like when you buy a loaf of bread they thank everyone on the wrapper. When you go to a great restaurant the menu doesn't list everyone who works there. Why do you have to sit through a list of 'best boy' and 'dolly grip' etc? (although those do still always amuse me). I think it's silly egos. It isn't done with the audience in mind, that's for sure. In any other industry you'd do what the punters wanted.

[BigPurpleCake]

I'm imagining the Ocado man having to read out a list of people involved before giving you your groceries.

"OK, now this onion, this was picked from the shelf by Jeff, and before that it was brought in a truck by Mohammed, and flown in a British Airways plane and the pilot's name was David and the head flight attendent was Isabel..."