Auteurs and Authors
Mimi Leder took issue with a statement by Peter Berg that differentiated writer-directors from “shooters,” i.e. directors who do not write their scripts (Letters, Dec. 6).
Her point is well taken that there have been many great directors who were not screenwriters. However, as a screenwriter who has also directed four features, I question, as do many other writers, why these collaborating directors feel the need to take the “A Film By” credit. You can’t have it both ways.
If you are a collaborator, how can you, with a straight face, claim total authorship of the film? I believe the “Directed By” credit to be incredibly powerful and clear. The director is crucial. So is the writer. The public, critics and even directors themselves seem to have a remarkably hard time understanding the simple fact that the writer wrote the film. Why is this so threatening a concept?
In this era where many directors are fighting hard for “artist’s rights,” why would any true artist try to take credit for another’s work? Aren’t writers artists too?
AMY HOLDEN JONES
Los Angeles
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Jones, screenwriter of “Indecent Proposal,” is on the board of directors of the Writers Guild of America, West.
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