Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max streaming service continues to face criticism for its handling of proper attribution for creatives involved in its titles. While the controversial creators label, which received widespread backlash, has been removed and replaced, new errors have emerged, causing further frustration among writers and directors. The platform has failed to credit writers for Academy Award-winning films, misplaced directors in credits, and even listed incorrect ratings for certain titles.
The recent merge of Warner Bros. and Discovery resulted in the creation of the Max streaming service. However, this new platform has been marred by numerous controversies, the most notable being the creators label. The creators label lumped all creative roles together under a single term, drawing criticism from industry professionals. After facing a month of backlash, Max eventually fixed this label, but the aftermath has brought attention to an even more concerning issue – the inaccurate attribution of creatives.
Among the glaring inaccuracies found, the critically acclaimed film Moonlight, which won the Best Picture at the Academy Awards, is listed without crediting its writers, Barry Jenkins, and Tarell Alvin McCraney. Shockingly, the platform does not have a writers label for the film at all. Another major blunder involves The Matrix, where Bruce Hunt, the second unit director, is erroneously credited as a co-director alongside Lana and Lilly Wachowski. Similarly, the film Moneyball is missing credits for director Bennett Miller and writers Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin, and Stan Chervin. Even the classic King Kong from 1933 lacks a director credit and is incorrectly rated as TV-PG.
While these errors may not be as extensive as the creators label, they are still significant and troubling, particularly in light of the ongoing WGA strike. These mistakes misrepresent the work of talented individuals and reflect the haphazard approach taken in building the Max platform. The lack of attention to proper attribution indicates a lack of respect for the creators, writers, directors, and everyone involved in bringing content to life. Max’s claim that it took time to correct the information title by title seems inadequate when such blatant errors persist.
Moreover, Max has further angered creatives in the industry with its callous removal of content, exemplified by the removal of The Venture Bros. without even informing its co-creator, Christopher McCulloch. This behavior has been a recurring issue with Warner Bros. Discovery, and it adds to the divide between creators and the studios, especially during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike where fair pay and protection for their work are being fought for.
As Max continues to struggle with proper attribution, it is essential for the platform to take the necessary steps to rectify these inaccuracies and treat the creative talents with the respect they deserve. The ongoing criticism and frustrations expressed by industry professionals should serve as a wake-up call for the streaming service to prioritize accurate credits and respectful treatment of all those involved in the creative process.
While the situation develops, it remains uncertain how Max plans to address these issues, but it is evident that the platform must act swiftly and responsibly to regain the trust and support of the creative community. In a time where the industry is witnessing significant challenges and labor disputes, ensuring proper attribution and acknowledging the contributions of writers, directors, and all creatives is crucial for fostering a healthy and collaborative environment for content creation.
