Actors' identity crisis over TV credit notes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Television credits may be the signal for most viewers to change channels or put the kettle on but they provide a vital shop-window for the actors whose minor roles would otherwise pass unnoticed.
Television credits may be the signal for most viewers to change channels or put the kettle on but they provide a vital shop-window for the actors whose minor roles would otherwise pass unnoticed.
Now Equity, the actors' union, has complained to television companies about a new practice of dropping credits altogether or rolling them across the screen so quickly they are unreadable.
Equity said credits amounted to a television actor's CV. "They are not going to get work unless people can identify them with particular performances," said a spokesman. It has sought reassurances that credits will be shown clearly and not relegated to a website.
But Lorraine Heggessey, the controller of BBC1, recently said credits were only of interest to the actors and their families.
"Crashing" credits has become common as viewers channel-surf through the increasing numbers of non-terrestrial stations.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments