Creative consultant
Encyclopedia
Creative consultant is a credit that has - particularly in the past - been given to screenwriters who have “doctored”
a movie screenplay
. It is often given by producers in lieu of official credit. Those given this credit in the television field work closely with an Executive Producer
, Head Writer
/showrunner, and Casting Director. They are involved in the writing process (proposing and editing story outlines/scripts), casting roles, and hiring/firing writers, producers, directors, and other crew members. Sometimes they are given the credit of Executive Consultant.
A Story Consultant is strictly involved in the writing process, and has no influence in the hiring and firing of writers or other crew members. A Script Consultant is only involved in the proposal and execution of a script.
The Writers Guild of America
disapproves of the credit. In 1993, the producers
of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
were fined by the WGA
for giving writer Steve Oedekerk
a Creative Consultant credit.
like a Story/Creative Consultant) for a non-prime time serial is: 1. 3 months or less: $15,302 (used to be $14,785) 2. 6 months or less, but more than 3 months or unspecified: $22,953 (used to be $22,177) 3. 12 months or less, but more than 6 months: $30,601 (used to be $29,566).
Script doctor
A script doctor, also called script consultant, is a highly-skilled screenwriter, hired by a film or television production, to rewrite or polish specific aspects of an existing screenplay, including structure, characterization, dialogue, pacing, theme, and other elements...
a movie screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
. It is often given by producers in lieu of official credit. Those given this credit in the television field work closely with an Executive Producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
, Head Writer
Head writer
A head writer is a person who oversees the team of writers on a television or radio series. The title is common in the soap opera genre, as well as with sketch comedies and talk shows that feature monologues and comedy skits, but in prime time series this function is generally performed by an...
/showrunner, and Casting Director. They are involved in the writing process (proposing and editing story outlines/scripts), casting roles, and hiring/firing writers, producers, directors, and other crew members. Sometimes they are given the credit of Executive Consultant.
A Story Consultant is strictly involved in the writing process, and has no influence in the hiring and firing of writers or other crew members. A Script Consultant is only involved in the proposal and execution of a script.
The Writers Guild of America
Writers Guild of America
The Writers Guild of America is a generic term referring to the joint efforts of two different US labor unions:* The Writers Guild of America, East , representing TV and film writers East of the Mississippi....
disapproves of the credit. In 1993, the producers
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is a 1994 American comedy film directed by Tom Shadyac and starring Jim Carrey. It co-stars Courteney Cox, Tone Loc, Sean Young and former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino....
were fined by the WGA
Writers Guild of America
The Writers Guild of America is a generic term referring to the joint efforts of two different US labor unions:* The Writers Guild of America, East , representing TV and film writers East of the Mississippi....
for giving writer Steve Oedekerk
Steve Oedekerk
Stephen Brenton "Steve" Oedekerk is an American comedian, director, editor, producer, screenwriter and actor. Oedekerk is best known for his collaborations with actor Jim Carrey and director Tom Shadyac , his series of "Thumbmation" shorts and his film Kung Pow: Enter the Fist .-Life and...
a Creative Consultant credit.
Salary
As of February 2, 2008, the minimum for a long-term story projection (when written by a writer other than the Head WriterHead writer
A head writer is a person who oversees the team of writers on a television or radio series. The title is common in the soap opera genre, as well as with sketch comedies and talk shows that feature monologues and comedy skits, but in prime time series this function is generally performed by an...
like a Story/Creative Consultant) for a non-prime time serial is: 1. 3 months or less: $15,302 (used to be $14,785) 2. 6 months or less, but more than 3 months or unspecified: $22,953 (used to be $22,177) 3. 12 months or less, but more than 6 months: $30,601 (used to be $29,566).
Notable creative consultants
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