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    Invelos Forums->DVD Profiler: Contribution Discussion Page: 1  Previous   Next
Another credit question
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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorbigdaddyhorse
Registered: June 21, 2007
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I'm starting an audit of Malcolm X (1992) and already have a question about OMB credits.

The screen reads:

Based on the Book
"The Autobiography of Malcolm X"
as told to
Alex Haley


Current profile has OMB credits for Malcolm X and Alex Haley. I know the Alex is right, but does Malcolm get a credit for his name in the book title or because it's about him? I leaning towards yes as it's his story, but the wording makes me think no. What do yous all think?
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorLewis_Prothero
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Registered: May 19, 2007
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From how I understand the credit Malcom X (for what reason ever) dictated his biography to Alex Haley.

Since "Autobiography" by definition means that the biographed told (and/or wrote down) the story him/her-self (otherwise it would only be a biography) Malcolm X hast to get an OMB for his autobiography.

The question that arises is if Alex Haley qualifies for OMB since he obviously only wrote down the words that were told to him. Strangely the authorship of Alex Haley isn't even handled conistently i9n the different releases of the book. Some list him as co-author, one treats "as told to Alex Haley" as part of the title, others don't mention him at all
It all seems so stupid, it makes me want to give up!
But why should I give up, when it all seems so stupid?


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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorscotthm
Registered: March 20, 2007
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Quoting Lewis_Prothero:
Quote:
...since he obviously only wrote down the words that were told to him.

That may be implied, but I don't know that it's at all obvious.  Have you read the book?

---------------
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorLewis_Prothero
Strength Through Unity
Registered: May 19, 2007
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Quoting scotthm:
Quote:
Quoting Lewis_Prothero:
Quote:
...since he obviously only wrote down the words that were told to him.

That may be implied, but I don't know that it's at all obvious.  Have you read the book?

---------------

Would that be necessary?

If the credit would be

Based on Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland
as I told it to
my niece

Would my niece then qualify as co-author of Alice in Wonderland?

Point is:
If at all the one telling the story might qualify as co-author, but to get something told is entirely passive and doesn't require any creativity at all.
It all seems so stupid, it makes me want to give up!
But why should I give up, when it all seems so stupid?


Registrant since 05/22/2003
 Last edited: by Lewis_Prothero
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantJMGuer
Registered: June 1, 2013
Portugal Posts: 217
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Quoting Lewis_Prothero:
Quote:


The question that arises is if Alex Haley qualifies for OMB since he obviously only wrote down the words that were told to him.


Not so obvious.


Alex Haley conducted extensive audiotaped interviews with Malcolm X.
Alex Haley wrote the book (based on the audio tapes).



All creative wtiting was done by Alex Haley (based on the audio tapes).

"As told to" usually implies the "real" author of a autobiography of a famous person who can't write



....sort of like a movie....
screenplay by (Alex Haley)
story by (Malcolm X)
 Last edited: by JMGuer
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorbigdaddyhorse
Registered: June 21, 2007
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I'm convinced the book couldn't exist without both of them, ergo same for the movie based on the book. They both stay unless someone proves otherwise!
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorateo357
Registered: December 27, 2009
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The way I see it. Per the rules, Malcolm X gets nothing, and It's a stretch to give Alex Haley a OMB credit.

What it is in the real world means nothing in regards to the contribution rules.
We use what is in the film's credits as long as they match the contribution rules.
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