SPECULATION Credits, proper hierarchy and union rules VS Luke Skywalker

Most accurate answer --- I have no idea.

Shot in the dark answer ---- Perhaps it's negotiated individually with the cast and crew?

 

Was that how it was written in the original trilogy credits?


Maybe they just wanted to be consistent....still, you'd think there's be some trouble with that if he really is in it for just 2 seconds with no dialogue.

 

As someone who believes the rumors about Luke's screentime, I agree with you and think that @MarsPhoenix raises a great question. At the very least it would be odd. Though to be fair, I think we're talking about more than 2 seconds and at least a line. Still, second billing? It raises questions, that's for sure.

 

How can he have second billing when Admiral Ackbar and Nien Nunb have more screen time than him in Episode 7?



And how come this baby didn't have top billing in Episode 3 since baby Luke probably has more screen time than Episode 7 Luke?




XD

--- Double Post Merged, Nov 13, 2015, Original Post Date: Nov 13, 2015 ---

Don't know if anyone has seen this, but here Mark Hamill & JJ talk about Luke:


http://www.ew.com/article/2015/11/12/where-is-luke-skywalker-star-wars

 

http://www.backstage.com/news/negotiating-your-sag-mandated-billing/

"Many actors believe that the Screen Actors Guild Codified Basic Agreement regulates all aspects of their onscreen credit for film and TV projects. However, unlike the Directors Guild of America or Writers Guild of America agreements, which address credit comprehensively, the SAG agreement doesn't specify the placement, size, or form of an actor's credit. [emphasis mine]"

"Paid advertising includes movie posters, billboards, print ads in magazines and newspapers, radio and television spots, and Internet promotions, the bill for which is footed by a project's producers or distributor. Prominent actors and those in lead roles typically [emphasis mine] receive credit in such advertising, at least in the billing block, which is the credits that appear in block form at the bottom of the ad."

 

It depends on the union, SAG or AFTRA. Now that they have merged, Mark Hamill is a SAG member...I know this because I am SAG-affiliated mysef. Union Regulations in general state that, depending on who's the bigger actor, gets the highest credit and the highest pay. That being said, it's always up for negotiations, and if it's not adhered to SAG rules, which LFL is famous for going NON-UNION on nearly all of its internal projects, then they'd have to pay a fine...otherwise they'd just Taft-Hartley everyone into SAG. It has nothing to do with how much screen time an actor has...regardless, SW is unique and probably has some custom stipulations for SAG.

--- Double Post Merged, Nov 13, 2015, Original Post Date: Nov 13, 2015 ---

I'll give you an example: For my last film, I had to adhere to strict SAG rules. HOWEVER, SAG will pay out monies depending on the size of the budget and who stars in it. My company had to pay SAG a $35,000 refundable deposit for all of my actors as insurance as well as to help negotiate salary demands...A popular one is "Favored Nations," in which two/three actors are top filed, get the same salaries, benefits, etc. I don't remember if TFA is officially SAG. A good tell would be to see if Daisy is SAG before TFA. The union has some leeway, but it isn't much.

--- Double Post Merged, Nov 13, 2015 ---

Definitely. Their agents/managers negotiate, but it could be individually, or favored nations...if I had to guess, the big three did favored nations type of a deal in order to secure all three at once with the maximum amount of salary. I mean, as much s they are all excited, I doubt they would have said yes without a salary bump...especially Carrie Fisher. As for crew members, the negotiations generally only happen when it comes to the heads of the crews such s the dp, editors, directors, producers, execs., etc...but not for people like grips and all.

--- Double Post Merged, Nov 13, 2015 ---

The big three also probably had a "play-or-pay" Deal, which means that it was offered outright to them, without auditions, readings, or a script. If they say yes, (WHICH THEY DID, OBVIOUSLY), they get paid their salary up front. In the off-chance a film isn't made, then they can get up to 35% of their contractual salary regardless, or whatever percentage has been negotiated.

 

Hmm...Drew Barrymore in Scream? Marlon Brando in Superman?

 

That comes into play when the gravitas of the actor is there...as much as I love the big three, they are NO Drew Barrymore/Marlon Brando, the closest being Harrison Ford.

 

Spoiler: Act 3 spoiler alert

Luke comes out and fights at the end, a lot of depth will be added to his character so everyone calm down

 

Bull I say! Too good to be true....but I want to believe!

 

I hope so, I want Luke to come out and kick some REN

 

Best not to dwell on it much though. I don't want to get my hopes up. I'm taking the smart bet all the way with this one: if I'm wrong and Luke is in it beyond the dumb pointless 2 second cameo crap and interacts with Han and Leia and kicks ass, then I win.....if I'm right and he's not, then I at least have the sucky "satisfaction" of being right all this time.

 

True.