The Complete Guide to Film End Credits: Everything You Need to Know

End credits are more than just a list of names scrolling on screen—they’re a legal requirement, a creative opportunity, and a way to honor everyone who contributed to a production. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about creating professional end credits.

Why End Credits Matter

End credits serve multiple important purposes in film and television production:

1. Legal Compliance: Guild agreements (DGA, WGA, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE) have specific requirements about credit placement, size, and timing.
2. Recognition: They honor the hard work of every cast and crew member who contributed to the production.
3. Professional Standards: Well-crafted credits reflect the professionalism of your production.
4. Industry Networking: Credits help crew members document their work history for future employment.

Understanding Credit Order

The order of credits in a film follows established industry conventions. Here’s the typical structure:

Above-the-Line Credits

These appear first and include:

• Directed by
• Written by (or Screenplay by)
• Produced by
• Executive Producers
• Principal Cast

Below-the-Line Credits

Following the above-the-line credits:

• Director of Photography
• Production Designer
• Film Editor
• Music by / Composer
• Costume Designer
• Casting by

Department Heads and Crew

Credits then proceed through departments:

• Camera Department
• Art Department
• Sound Department
• Makeup & Hair
• Wardrobe
• Visual Effects
• Post-Production

Guild Requirements

Directors Guild of America (DGA)

The DGA has specific requirements for director credits:

• Must appear on a separate card
• “Directed by” must be the last credit before the end crawl
• Minimum display time and font size requirements

Writers Guild of America (WGA)

Writer credits follow WGA arbitration rules:

• “Written by” indicates sole writing credit
• “Screenplay by” with “Story by” when different writers contributed
• Ampersand (&) indicates a writing team; “and” indicates separate contributions

SAG-AFTRA

Actor credits must follow billing agreements:

• Star billing (opening credits)
• “Also Starring” billing
• End credit order as negotiated

Technical Specifications

Resolution and Format

Modern productions require credits in multiple formats:

• Cinema: 4K DCP (4096x2160)
• Streaming: 4K UHD (3840x2160)
• Broadcast HD: 1920x1080
• Legacy SD: 1280x720

Safe Areas

Always account for safe areas:

• Action Safe: 90% of frame
• Title Safe: 80% of frame
• Keep all text within title safe to ensure visibility across all displays

Scroll Speed

The ideal scroll speed depends on several factors:

• Amount of text to display
• Available time (typically 3-5 minutes for features)
• Readability (too fast makes credits impossible to read)
• Generally aim for 30-40 pixels per second at 1080p

Common Credit Formats

The Crawl (Roll)

The most common format—credits scroll vertically from bottom to top. Ideal for:

• Large cast and crew lists
• Feature films
• Standard television productions

Cards (Pop-Ups)

Credits appear as static cards that dissolve or cut between each other. Used for:

• Opening credits
• Key creative positions
• Title cards and section headers

Split Screen

Credits appear in multiple columns, often used for:

• Lengthy crew lists
• Music credits
• Legal disclaimers

Best Practices

Typography

• Use clean, readable fonts
• Maintain consistent font sizes within categories
• Ensure sufficient contrast against background
• Standard choices: Helvetica, Futura, Gotham, or serif options for period pieces

Timing

• Allow minimum 2 seconds for cards to be readable
• Rolling credits: ensure names are on screen for at least 1.5 seconds
• Music credits should align with the actual music playing

Proofreading

Spelling errors in credits are embarrassing and unprofessional:

• Triple-check every name
• Verify guild-specific spelling requirements
• Get sign-off from department heads

How EndingTitles Simplifies the Process

Creating credits traditionally required:

• Manual data entry in After Effects or similar software
• Tedious formatting and spacing adjustments
• Multiple rounds of revisions as names change
• Technical knowledge of video export settings

With EndingTitles, you can:

• Import data directly from a collaborative Google Sheet
• Use industry-standard templates
• Preview changes in real-time
• Export in any required format
• Ensure guild compliance automatically

Conclusion

Professional end credits require attention to detail, knowledge of industry standards, and the right tools. Whether you’re working on an indie short or a studio feature, getting credits right is essential for legal compliance and professional recognition.

Ready to create your own professional credits? Start your free trial and see how easy it can be.