Question about adding cast members

kolbdog323 wrote 2 months ago: 1

How do i deal with credit only cast since in some episodes othe actors were listed in the credits but didnt appear in the episode do i  put them all under cast for the episode or do credit only as guest star or does it all depend if  the actors weere all listed under cast and some under guest stars for the episode? The show only does With Voice talents of and then lists all the cast.


TomSouthwell wrote 2 months ago: 1

@kolbdog323 wrote:
How do i deal with credit only cast since in some episodes othe actors were listed in the credits but didnt appear in the episode do i  put them all under cast for the episode or do credit only as guest star or does it all depend if  the actors weere all listed under cast and some under guest stars for the episode? The show only does With Voice talents of and then lists all the cast.

Can you try and simplify what your asking and point the show out too? 

kolbdog323 wrote 2 months ago: 1

@TomSouthwell wrote:
Can you try and simplify what your asking and point the show out too? 

Mickey mouse clubhouse and it lists all actors under with voice talents but no character names but in the opening it lists the 5 main characters at the end of the theme song it did the same thing in the remake Mickey mouse clubhouse+ but that one didn't have actor only names in the credits it listed both like the one you have been adding to.

kolbdog323 wrote 2 months ago: 1

@TomSouthwell wrote:
Can you try and simplify what your asking and point the show out too? 

Reason am asking i might of did some of the episodes wrong and did some of the actors and characters under guest stars when  they should of been all under cast or the series had both main cast and guest stars. 


TomSouthwell wrote 2 months ago: 1

@kolbdog323 wrote:
Reason am asking i might of did some of the episodes wrong and did some of the actors and characters under guest stars when  they should of been all under cast or the series had both main cast and guest stars. 

The credits on the episodes I watch list stars on one screen with character names (nothing in opening titles) then a second screen with guest actors and character names then Additional Voices on a third screen normally listed with some crew 

kolbdog323 wrote 2 months ago: 1

@TomSouthwell wrote:
The credits on the episodes I watch list stars on one screen with character names (nothing in opening titles) then a second screen with guest actors and character names then Additional Voices on a third screen normally listed with some crew 

So do I do main cast for the 5 since they name the actual characters Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and Daisy then all other characters as guest stars since it only does With Voice Talents for the cast credits or do I put them all under cast since I might of done it wrong or it's correct am not sure.


TomSouthwell wrote 2 months ago: 1

@kolbdog323 wrote:
So do I do main cast for the 5 since they name the actual characters Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and Daisy then all other characters as guest stars since it only does With Voice Talents for the cast credits or do I put them all under cast since I might of done it wrong or it's correct am not sure.

My post literally tells you how to do it. Theirs more then 5 main cast, you follow how the credits run episode to episode. 


KenF wrote 2 months ago: 1

It is very frustrating to add cast members just to have someone else come along and undo it all.  Just because someone's name isn't mentioned in the opening credits, it doesn't mean they aren't a part of the main cast. I copied this from "Data Policies - Episode Extras" FAQ. Would someone please clarify why this is allowed when it expressly says not to for main cast. Please explain exactly who is "MAIN CAST".

"Guest Cast

A Guest Cast entry specifies a guest starring role in the episode. It links an actor ("person") entry that played or voiced the role, with the character entry that was portrayed. A Guest Cast entry can be created for all appearances in an episode, regardless of whether they were actually credited or not. It should never be created for an actor that's already part of the show's Main Cast in the given episode."


TomSouthwell wrote 2 months ago: 1

@KenF wrote:
It is very frustrating to add cast members just to have someone else come along and undo it all.  Just because someone's name isn't mentioned in the opening credits, it doesn't mean they aren't a part of the main cast. I copied this from "Data Policies - Episode Extras" FAQ. Would someone please clarify why this is allowed when it expressly says not to for main cast. Please explain exactly who is "MAIN CAST".

"Guest Cast

A Guest Cast entry specifies a guest starring role in the episode. It links an actor ("person") entry that played or voiced the role, with the character entry that was portrayed. A Guest Cast entry can be created for all appearances in an episode, regardless of whether they were actually credited or not. It should never be created for an actor that's already part of the show's Main Cast in the given episode."

What show are you talking about? 


KenF wrote 2 months ago: 1

There are a several I have contributed to.  Namely, Combat, for one, Time Tunnel for another.


deleted wrote 2 months ago: 1

@KenF wrote:
There are a several I have contributed to.  Namely, Combat, for one, Time Tunnel for another.

The only deleted cast I could find among the one you just mentioned was a deletion of a main cast member which you added as a guest with credit only. If this guy has been credited in the opening, but is not present, please don't add him as guest cast with credit only.

The only other one I managed to find is that you added an actor as co-star, which is not appearing in that specific episode 

I am not sure whether this is true or not, but that's what the one who deleted wrote as a remark. You should provide us with definite proof where it happened for us to give you a proper answer, because I only managed to find two deletions of the many cast/crew you added.


KenF wrote 2 months ago: 1

If an actor is mentioned in the opening (which is a standard opening used across all episodes, not necessarily for each specific episode to save the cost of making a specific opening unique for each one) but does not appear in the episode, why not add them as guest cast with credit only? That is after all exactly what he is (credit only).  Isn't that what it is for?  If not, then what is it for?  Why else would someone be mentioned if they didn't appear in that episode???  That would be like putting my name in the opening, but I never appear in that episode.  There is no other way of conveying their credit for an episode they don't appear in which states "credit only".

As for the cast members, they were deleted from the "cast" back on or about October 15, 2025, by Mat13.  Characters Kirby, Doc. Nelson, Littlejohn, Caje are all regular cast members appearing week after week but have been deleted from the regular cast and moved to guest cast.  How is this correct?

Which actor did I add as co-star that didn't appear in what episode?


deleted wrote 2 months ago: 1

@KenF wrote:
If an actor is mentioned in the opening (which is a standard opening used across all episodes, not necessarily for each specific episode to save the cost of making a specific opening unique for each one) but does not appear in the episode, why not add them as guest cast with credit only? That is after all exactly what he is (credit only).  Isn't that what it is for?  If not, then what is it for?  Why else would someone be mentioned if they didn't appear in that episode???  That would be like putting my name in the opening, but I never appear in that episode.  There is no other way of conveying their credit for an episode they don't appear in which states "credit only".

As for the cast members, they were deleted from the "cast" back on or about October 15, 2025, by Mat13.  Characters Kirby, Doc. Nelson, Littlejohn, Caje are all regular cast members appearing week after week but have been deleted from the regular cast and moved to guest cast.  How is this correct?

Which actor did I add as co-star that didn't appear in what episode?

Many series / production companies decided to stick with the same intro for a specific show and decide not to adjust credits according to those episodes, but main cast, even credited, but not appearing, just leave them unmarked. The guest credit section should only be used if it is really showing as a guest.

An actor/actress that appears in a show weeks after weeks doesn't mean it is main cast. I've seen shows where an actor appeared in every episode of the show, yet was credited as a guest in all of them, so we should credit them as guest. I assume @MAT13 has checked the credits and decided to move them to guest cast as they were credited, however I'm not familiar with the show myself nor have I seen the credits.


MAT13 wrote 2 months ago: 1

@WatchingTV wrote:
Many series / production companies decided to stick with the same intro for a specific show and decide not to adjust credits according to those episodes, but main cast, even credited, but not appearing, just leave them unmarked. The guest credit section should only be used if it is really showing as a guest.

An actor/actress that appears in a show weeks after weeks doesn't mean it is main cast. I've seen shows where an actor appeared in every episode of the show, yet was credited as a guest in all of them, so we should credit them as guest. I assume @MAT13 has checked the credits and decided to move them to guest cast as they were credited, however I'm not familiar with the show myself nor have I seen the credits.

Hi @WatchingTV and @KenF , seeing the cast listed, I assume you are referring to "Combat!". Yes indeed, parts (episodes) I changed did have them in the end credits, whether they are credited immediately after the main cast or in the same but smaller font, end credits often looked different. But opening credits are always the same and only list two main cast (even when they don't both appear in some episodes), which are Vic Morrow and Rick Jason. Sometimes, even in the opening they list certain special guest star (which in the end credits may be simply listed with regular guest cast), in which case I do add him/her under special guest star.

Kirby, Doc, Nelson, Littlejohn are recurring guest cast, but they are not main cast even if some episodes give them more prominent role.

I also don't change all episodes for the entire show, but as I watch them, since I use actual episode's opening and/or end credits to determine which is which.

Only exception I know is in regards to anime since they always list all together and don't separate main from guest from minor roles, in which case official sites or common sense are good way to go (otherwise shows like Naruto, Conan, One Piece and all other anime would have nothing but main cast).

So, to summarize briefly, yes, I often find myself moving guest cast to main cast and vice versa, but only for the shows I am watching and if I am uncertain even with that, usually check official site or posters or what not (i.e. korean dramas clearly list main cast in the opening, but korean telenovelas never do, but official posters often list main cast). Also, when you watch the actual show, you can clearly get the picture of who the main cast are, so that too helps.

BTW, here's a good way to check Combat! credits -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdmU3qRH1Y8

On this youtube video you see intro and outro. Intro mentions just two main cast like in every episode, but outro lists those others along with main cast because they are prominent.

Older shows used that often, re-listing main cast at the end. "The Adventures of Robin Hood" for example will list Richard Greene (aka Robin Hood) with all other guest cast at the end in every episode, but that does not make him guest cast, nor all others main cast ;)) Hope this helped a little. I may be wrong for all I know and am prone to mistakes and sometimes had to fix what I've done :P


MAT13 wrote 2 months ago: 1

@KenF wrote:
It is very frustrating to add cast members just to have someone else come along and undo it all.  Just because someone's name isn't mentioned in the opening credits, it doesn't mean they aren't a part of the main cast. I copied this from "Data Policies - Episode Extras" FAQ. Would someone please clarify why this is allowed when it expressly says not to for main cast. Please explain exactly who is "MAIN CAST".

"Guest Cast

A Guest Cast entry specifies a guest starring role in the episode. It links an actor ("person") entry that played or voiced the role, with the character entry that was portrayed. A Guest Cast entry can be created for all appearances in an episode, regardless of whether they were actually credited or not. It should never be created for an actor that's already part of the show's Main Cast in the given episode."

 

I remember asking this in the past myself and this is what I was told -- Main cast are never added under "guest cast -- credited only" when they don't appear in the episode. Main cast are added for the show (not just on an episode level), and if in some episodes they don't appear, you simply leave them out. They are always credited since they are main cast and opening doesn't change if they don't appear in certain episode.

You add "credited only" if the credits includes guest cast that didn't appear in the show. Likewise, some guest cast who acted but didn't appear in the credits, you add under "uncredited".

Sometimes shows just don't bother changing opening intro that always varies which of the main character appear. "Perry Mason" for example always lists all 5 names, but aside from first couple of seasons, all 5 main cast rarely appear in every episode. You just leave them out and don't add them for the episode they're not in. Hope this helps clear things with main cast and "credited only".


KenF wrote 2 months ago: 1

So how do you determine if they are main or guest cast?  It seems to me if they are there week after week, they aren't guest unless otherwise noted.  The cast in question are listed at the end of the show after the lead characters and the guest stars.


TomSouthwell wrote 2 months ago: 1

Just as an aside @MAT13 you should be following the animation policy for Anime.. if a show doesnt distinguish the two, we dont either.


MAT13 wrote 2 months ago: 1

@TomSouthwell wrote:
Just as an aside @MAT13 you should be following the animation policy for Anime.. if a show doesnt distinguish the two, we dont either.

I remember asking about this in the past when handling Naruto and such cast. Anime doesn't have opening credits for listing main cast, they list all characters in the episode at the end. Sure, they list them in certain order of importance, but they are all just under "Cast". You do realise that for anime such as Naruto Shippuden (500 eps), Meitantei Conan (1100+ eps), One Piece (1000+ eps), we'd literally have thousands of main cast, for some side characters that appear 1 second on the screen in a single episode.

Because this is a special case, you guys answered me that in those cases not everyone is treated as main cast because the show's producers too definitely do not consider everyone main cast just because they listed all characters under same "Cast" end credits section.

Are you saying anime should only have main cast and never guest cast?


MAT13 wrote 2 months ago: 1

@KenF wrote:
So how do you determine if they are main or guest cast?  It seems to me if they are there week after week, they aren't guest unless otherwise noted.  The cast in question are listed at the end of the show after the lead characters and the guest stars.

For live-action TV shows (English or foreign), episodes usually have fixed opening where main cast is listed. In English shows that don't have such openings, they usually start listing main cast as the episode starts, before writer and director, and always separate guest cast by adding "Guest Cast" and then list guest. In the end credits these all may appear again grouped, but intro or beginning of the show always somehow lists main cast. Anyone that appears in the end credits only along with main cast under generic "Cast" or just being listed is usually guest cast. I can't think of a live-action show that didn't list main cast at the beginning.

Anime are exception since they always list all cast in the end credits.


TomSouthwell wrote 2 months ago: 1

@MAT13 wrote:
I remember asking about this in the past when handling Naruto and such cast. Anime doesn't have opening credits for listing main cast, they list all characters in the episode at the end. Sure, they list them in certain order of importance, but they are all just under "Cast". You do realise that for anime such as Naruto Shippuden (500 eps), Meitantei Conan (1100+ eps), One Piece (1000+ eps), we'd literally have thousands of main cast, for some side characters that appear 1 second on the screen in a single episode.

Because this is a special case, you guys answered me that in those cases not everyone is treated as main cast because the show's producers too definitely do not consider everyone main cast just because they listed all characters under same "Cast" end credits section.

Are you saying anime should only have main cast and never guest cast?

Can you find this specific conversation? 

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