Alan Smithee (Pseudonym for Directors)

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Definition

Alan Smithee is a pseudonym used by film and television directors who wish to disown a project. If a director believes that creative interference or production circumstances compromised their artistic vision, they may request to have their name removed from the final credits. In such cases, the film is credited as being directed by Alan Smithee.

Origins of the Name

First Use (1969): The pseudonym debuted with the film Death of a Gunfighter, after two directors (Robert Totten and Don Siegel) worked on the project but neither wanted sole credit.
Directors Guild of America (DGA): Adopted “Alan Smithee” as the official pseudonym for disowned projects, ensuring directors could protect their reputations without publicly clashing with studios.
Reason for “Alan Smithee”: Chosen because it sounded like a plausible name, while being unique enough not to overlap with a real filmmaker.

When Alan Smithee Was Used

Creative Interference: When studios re-edited a film against the director’s wishes.
Loss of Artistic Control: Situations where the director’s vision was so compromised they no longer wanted association.
Contractual Obligation: Directors under DGA rules could not use pseudonyms of their choice; Alan Smithee was the sanctioned option.

Examples:

Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996) – Director Kevin Yagher requested the Alan Smithee credit after studio interference.
Dune (1984, TV edit) – David Lynch had his name replaced with Alan Smithee on the extended television version.
Supernova (2000) – Walter Hill and Francis Ford Coppola distanced themselves; the film credited Thomas Lee, but it was widely understood as an Alan Smithee case.

Decline of Alan Smithee

Exposure in the 1990s: The name became widely known after media coverage and the satirical film An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn (1997). Ironically, the director of that movie (Arthur Hiller) also disowned it and used the pseudonym.
Retirement (2000): Once the pseudonym was too well-known, the DGA officially retired Alan Smithee. Directors seeking to disown projects now use alternate methods or request “Director’s Cut” disclaimers.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Pop Culture Reference: “Alan Smithee” has become shorthand for troubled productions and studio interference.
Collector’s Curiosity: Films with the Alan Smithee credit are often sought out by cinephiles as examples of Hollywood conflict.
Industry Lesson: The pseudonym reflects the ongoing tension between creative control and commercial demands in filmmaking.

Why It Matters

The Alan Smithee tradition highlights:

The importance of artistic integrity for directors.
The power struggle between directors and studios.
How unions like the DGA balance professional reputations with contractual realities.

Even though the pseudonym is retired, its legacy remains a cautionary tale about the compromises often made in filmmaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can directors still use Alan Smithee today?
No. The DGA retired the pseudonym in 2000. Directors now use other methods to distance themselves from projects.

Was Alan Smithee only for directors?
Primarily yes, but occasionally cinematographers or screenwriters have used variations to disown projects.

Why not just use any fake name?
The DGA controlled credit standards, and Alan Smithee was the approved option for decades.

Related Terms

[Director’s Cut] A version of a film that reflects the director’s creative vision.
[Studio Interference] When a studio changes a film against the director’s wishes.
[DGA (Directors Guild of America)] The union that regulated crediting practices.