List of filmmakers' signatures explained

This is a list of filmmakers' signatures or Easter eggs that are found in many of their works which become signatures or trademarks. These are usually inconsequential small elements like signs which are inside jokes, cameos or references to other works. For this list, the term filmmakers is used loosely and would include directors, producers, actors, animators, and production companies.

• A113 is added by alumni of the California Institute of the Arts, referring to the classroom used by graphic design and character animation students.
• Acme Corporation is a fictional corporation featured in Looney Tunes' Road Runner/Wile E. Coyote cartoons with outlandish products that failed or backfired.
• CRM 114 was used by Stanley Kubrick, coming from the movie Dr. Strangelove.
• In Back To The Future one of the knobs that Marty turns to adjust Doc Brown's giant amplifier is labelled "CRM 114".
• Hidden Mickey is a representation of Mickey Mouse that has been inserted subtly into Disney movies and other products.
• Alfred Hitchcock cameos became one of Hitchcock's signatures; and fans would make sport of trying to spot his cameos. Cameos by the director are also a frequent feature of the films of Sir Peter Jackson.
• Chuck Lorre used unique vanity cards on the end of every episode of his productions.
• Pixar includes several signatures such as A113, Luxo Jr.'s Luxo ball, Toy Story's Pizza Planet Truck, and "good luck charm" John Ratzenberger.^[1]
• Stan Lee cameos were a tradition in Marvel Comics films until Lee’s death.
• Steven Spielberg's shooting star started by accidentally capturing a meteor in Jaws.^[2]
• THX 1138 is used by George Lucas and Lucasfilm, and comes from Lucas' first movie THX 1138. Others have used just 1138, probably in reference to Lucas.
• A 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 appears in almost all of Sam Raimi's films.^[3]
• Billy Wilder used the name “Sheldrake” for white-collar characters in Sunset Boulevard (1950), The Apartment (1960), and Kiss Me, Stupid (1964).
• John Landis includes a poster for or otherwise references a fictional film called "See You Next Wednesday" in nearly all of his films.
• J. J. Abrams uses lens flares in many of his productions.^[4]

See also

• List of film and television directors
• Fictional brand
• Alan Smithee

Further reading

Book: Heerden, Bill van. Film and Television In-Jokes: Nearly 2,000 Intentional References, Parodies, Allusions, Personal Touches, Cameos, Spoofs and Homages. 2008-08-28. McFarland. 9780786438945. en.

External links

• Director and Producer Easter Eggs

Notes and References

1. Web site: Pixar's lucky charm has starred in all thirteen films. Delistraty. Cody. June 21, 2012. NBC News. en. 2019-04-22.
2. Web site: 8 Famous Movie Directors With Trademarks You Probably Never Noticed. WhatCulture.com. 20 December 2017. en. 19 August 2013.
3. Web site: Sam Raimi’s Oldsmobile Delta 88 is the most famous movie car you’ve never head of. 14 April 2022. en. 2 June 2020.
4. Web site: JJ Abrams apologises for lens flare on Star Trek: Into Darkness . The Guardian.