Why do they do this?

[christopher575]

There are so many movie posters where the cast is all lined up and the names are all lined up but the people and the names don't match. 

Also, how do they decide what order to introduce people in the opening credits of stuff? What's most confusing is when someone gets to be the "and" at the end, like Scott Foley on Felicity.

Comments

[vurumai.livejournal.com]

I have the same problem. It just makes sense to put the person's name above the person, but it's all part of the contracts and negotiations. Somewhere Mrs Field's agent negotiated her first billing over Dolly Parton but Dolly got the bigger trailer. It's Hollywood BS.

[christopher575.livejournal.com]

It's fine however they are billed. They just need to use layouts that don't look like they're labeling the people. A cute list at the bottom, perhaps.

[vurumai.livejournal.com]

I'd vote for it. Bugs the crap outta me

[salacious-pop.livejournal.com]

Like vurumai said, it all has to do with their agents, the studio, some screen actors guild rules, egos, salaries, etc. that I guess make it some tedious/tenuous process. Its also why some people are always credited as being a Special Guest Star (which is kind of like being listed as "and"), even though they're a regular on every fucking episode.

I know there've been a few cases where the proposed billing caused drama and a huge compromise had to be made but I'm blanking on any recent ones.

Also, lol

[vurumai.livejournal.com]

Angels Basset can grow some mighty foxy facial hair