Fascinating. I’d noticed movies from the 40s and 50s just had opening credits, but had assumed the switch was faster and more complete, mostly because the really big hitters like 2001 and The Godfather did it! I hadn’t realised that many parts of the film industry didn’t like the change and dragged their feet, let alone that the change was inspired by TV! Since TV credits are usually static cards rather than a scroll, I’d always regarded them as quite separate, taking the timing and placement in the picture for granted. Cross-pollination in human culture is so fascinating.
Did the staff size change after the digital effects era started? I guess that it did and that it contributed to the long format of credits that is the norm today but I have no source to back this up. Also, movies that outsource FX, now mostly credit a studio instead of individuals, I guess, that partly to shorten credits length. Fantastic essays, by the way!
