Cast vs Guest Cast

SilverSurfer wrote:
https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1474006/an-aurora-teagarden-mystery-2x05-the-disappearing-game

This 'episode' starts off with a scene, then the Series/Episode title appear, then actor names begin with Candace Cameron Bure, then Lexa Doig then others ending with "and Marilu Henner". End credits do not have any adjectives added either, just a list of actors over several frames from what I would consider main stars, secondary stars then guest stars but not labeled as such ... just actor name ... character name. Not all people listed in end credits are listed in the beginning credits but actors I would consider to be guests are, in the opening credits, nested between Bure and Henner but later in the end credits. I don't think the "For UK shows" section of cast policy applies here.

I'll continue to dig around for a press release or some such but, for discussion purposes, assume I don't find anything ... do I add actors as cast/guest based just on my knowledge of the series from watching or take the opening credits 'as is' and add them all as cast even though I'm sure a number of them are just one off appearances in this episode. BTW, the end credits are broken down into frames that would probably match my 'gut feeling' on the listings from stars, secondary stars then guests stars.

Although my question pertains to a specific, current show I think a general idea of how to proceed in similar cases would be helpful ... especially if it involves older shows where press releases and websites aren't available ... just the on screen listings. TiA

Policy Ref: https://www.tvmaze.com/faq/14/show-extras Cast

Hmm, usually all names listed in the opening credits are "main cast", the list at the end just lists all actors that appeared in the episode, at least that is the way the UK does it.

If intro credits are not given any specific type of cast, you could list them as main. Unless specified as type of cast, all end credits could be listed as guest.

Aurora teargarden is a series of tv movies, each episode is a close case. So aside from the regulars, the rest are just there for that specific tv movie and are listed like the others, but they won't be in a subsequent episode.

The hallmark shows are a pain in the .... Chesapeake shores and the good witch have a real credit to follow but for example when calls the heart doesn't... They put all the main characters that appear in a specific episode but if you ask anyone, only the ones in the images of the credits are regular and the rest recurring.

Aurora is not an exception, all their tv movie series have the same issue. Check the website, it usually helps with the real main cast, not always.

To be clear, all opening credit names are listed again in the end credits but not all end credit names are in the opening credits.

The end credits are spread out over several frames and not in the same order as the opening credits. The end credits start with, what IMO, are the main stars then the next frame lists, again IMO, the secondary stars (ie characters who have appeared in a number of episodes but are not the major players) and finally a frame listing, once again IMO, those guests who are appearing in this episode only. None of this is confirmed by any adjectives on screen, opening or closing, just by having watched the series and knowing who these actors/characters are in relation to the series.

All the names on the first end frame are in the opening credits, some from the second end frame are in the opening and the 'big' guests from the third end frame are listing in the opening. And again, the opening credits start with main cast Bure and end with main cast Henner with, IMO, other main, secondary & guest stars nested between the two.

Dunno if this helps, clarifies or muddies the situation ... I just wasn't sure I was explaining things clearly. Does this change anyone's opinion on how to list the actors?

Pretty similar to UK shows. Main cast is often credited twice. So just use the persons in the intro as main cast and if they are listed for a 2nd time in the end credits, just do not add them as guest cast.

Tonks wrote:
Aurora is not an exception, all their tv movie series have the same issue. Check the website, it usually helps with the real main cast, not always.

I checked the website and the only 'stars' listed for this episode are Bure & Henner ... not even Doig was listed in the cast section even though she is in other episodes.

Not really relevant question: why we call this series "An Aurora Teagarden Mystery" when the official website titled "Aurora Teagarden Mysteries" (upper left corner), and on the scrolling banner with the different movies from the franchise, each movie have the same "Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: " prefix?

As for the main topic – it seems that the credits are done similar to UK scheme, so as Thomas suggested, it could be done the way the policy recommending for the UK series: if none of the official sources explicitly separate Main Cast from Guest Cast, actors appearing in the opening credits should be added as Main Cast and actors only appearing in the closing credits as Guest Cast.

Our listings do not consider the significance of the character, only the way actor's are credited. Sometimes the actor appearing in the single episode could be listed as a main cast member, and while it might look awkward, there's nothing wrong with it :)

SilverSurfer wrote:
I checked the website and the only 'stars' listed for this episode are Bure & Henner ... not even Doig was listed in the cast section even though she is in other episodes.

I would go with this.

SilverSurfer wrote:
I checked the website and the only 'stars' listed for this episode are Bure & Henner ... not even Doig was listed in the cast section even though she is in other episodes.

Each movie have it's separate "Cast" section. For example, there are 5 cast members for The Disappearing Game, including Doig, Matter and Benson http://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/aurora-teagarden-mysteries-the-disappearing-game/cast

Actually there's a different approach to it. You could treat the whole series as an anthology, and save the hassle with the main/guest cast :)

tnt wrote:
Not really relevant question: why we call this series "An Aurora Teagarden Mystery" when the official website titled "Aurora Teagarden Mysteries" (upper left corner), and on the scrolling banner with the different movies from the franchise, each movie have the same "Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: " prefix?

It's something they do with all their "mysteries". Aurora might be more known than the others as it based on a charlaine harris (true detective, midnight, texas) book series but i'm pretty sure you'd see the same for the others.

•A Fixer Upper Mystery

•An Aurora Teagarden Mystery

•An Emma Fielding Mystery

•Flower Shop Mystery•

Garage Sale Mystery•

Gourmet Detective

Hailey Dean Mysteries

Murder, She Baked•

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

tnt wrote:
Each movie have it's separate "Cast" section. For example, there are 5 cast members for The Disappearing Game, including Doig, Matter and Benson http://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/aurora-teagarden-mysteries-the-disappearing-game/cast

Interesting. That is the page I checked this morning and only the two actors (Bure & Henner) were listed, now there is a second row with 3 more.

tnt wrote:
Not really relevant question: why we call this series "An Aurora Teagarden Mystery" when the official website titled "Aurora Teagarden Mysteries" (upper left corner), and on the scrolling banner with the different movies from the franchise, each movie have the same "Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: " prefix?

I agree the series name should be adjusted. I have no doubt it started out as the former but as more "episodes" were made it likely morphed into the latter.

There being no objections, I'll change the series name?

And, I will go ahead and add all the actors from the opening credits as main stars, and the remaining with end credits only as guest stars, also there being no objections.

Thanks to everyone for their opinions and input, much appreciated.

SilverSurfer wrote:
Interesting. That is the page I checked this morning and only the two actors (Bure & Henner) were listed, now there is a second row with 3 more.

That's why the website is only third in the list of trusted sources. Too easy to change :D

Thanks for taking care :)