If you’ve spent any time scrolling through streaming credits, flipping through indie album liner notes, or even checking the small print on a viral TikTok sound, you’ve probably seen that little phrase: “By Person.” No, it’s not just another generic label—especially if you’re here because you know that the “Person” in question? That’s us, and we’re the supplier behind all those small, human-centric details that make entertainment feel less like a mass-produced product and more like something actual people poured their hearts into. I’ve spent the last three years working directly with studios, indie creators, and even small-batch merch lines, helping them weave “By Person” into their projects in ways that don’t just check a box—they connect with fans. Let’s break down the most natural, real ways to use this phrase in entertainment, straight from someone who’s actually doing this day to day. By Person
First, let’s get one thing straight: “By Person” doesn’t have to be boring. A lot of people think it’s just for giving credit, and that’s true, but it’s so much more than that. Let’s start with the easiest, most common use case: giving specific credit to the creatives pulling the hidden strings of a project. Think about the last movie you binged that felt like it had a tiny, personal spark in every frame—maybe the way the lead’s necklace changed with her mood, or the background mural in the coffee shop that set the whole vibe. That’s often from a freelance prop stylist, a mural artist, or even a set decorator who’s not in the main credits. Instead of just writing “Additional Set Design: Jane Doe,” putting that line at the end of a credits reel or on the project’s official socials that says “Background Murals By Jane Doe” does two things: it makes the fan who noticed that tiny detail feel seen, and it tells the rest of the industry that there’s someone out there who can nail that specific, personal touch. Last year, I worked with a indie horror studio on a small film set in a 100-year-old cabin in upstate New York. The original set design was super generic—just the usual old furniture, a random lamp. We suggested they rework the end credits to call out the hand-carved wooden door’s details, the hand-painted window frames, all done by a local woodworker (that was our client, by the way). A few months later, that woodworker got a DM from a fan who said she’d rewatched the movie three times just to stare at that door. That’s the kind of win “By Person” delivers when it’s not buried in a 10-point font credit roll.
Next, and this is a big one for anyone in music, merch, or even short-form content: using “By Person” to highlight original, fan-facing creator partnerships. Let’s be real—everyone’s sick of corporate collaborations that feel like they were cooked up in a boardroom at 2 a.m. with no actual thought behind them. If you’re a small streaming service partnering with a mid-level folk artist to do exclusive, cover-themed playlist art? Label it “Playlist Cover Art By Mia Carter” instead of “Exclusive Cover Art.” If you’re a record label releasing a limited run of vinyl with hand-stamped gatefold sleeves by a local illustrator? That line “Gatefold Sleeve Illustrations By Rico Mendez” goes on the product page, the vinyl jacket, and even the pre-order promo posts. Last quarter, we worked with a independent podcast network specializing in true crime stories—they wanted to create custom merch for their 100th episode, and instead of making generic t-shirts with the podcast logo, they had us connect them with a freelance graphic designer who does retro-style crime scene art (no, not the cheesy kind, the moody, atmospheric kind that fits the show’s tone). The pre-order posts on Instagram and TikTok all had that line “Limited Edition 100th Episode Merch, Art By Javi Ramos,” and it sold out in 72 hours. The network’s audience didn’t just buy a t-shirt—they bought something that felt unique, something made by a real person they could follow, not a big brand. That’s the power of “By Person” in that space. It turns a one-way product into a conversation between a creator and their audience.
Wait, let’s not sleep on short-form content, either—TikTok, Reels, Shorts are where so many entertainment projects launch now, and “By Person” works perfectly there, too. If you’re a influencer or a small production company making a series of behind-the-scenes clips for a movie you’re promoting? Maybe you’re filming a day with the costume designer, and the clip ends with a text overlay that says “Costume Design For The Midnight Train By Lila Rose” instead of just a generic “BTS Clip.” Or if you’re a food influencer making a series of recipe videos that use clips from old 90s movies as B-roll? Tag the movie’s production company in the comments, and add a little line in the video description that says “Vintage Film B-Roll Footage By The Paramount Archive’s Local Curatorial Team” (that’s one of our specialty niches, by the way—curating and licensing small bits of vintage film for indie projects). Even on a personal level, if you’re a creator making a fan edit of your favorite show that includes clips from other creators’ fan art or voiceovers, a quick credit line in the caption that says “Fan Edit By @lunaedit98, Original Voiceover By @voiceofjesse” makes the whole thing feel more authentic, less like a random clip posted online. I see so many small creators getting their work flagged on TikTok because they don’t credit the original artists, and a quick “By Person” line solves that problem while also building their own brand as someone who supports other creators.
Another use case that’s been blowing up lately, especially with the rise of live entertainment and pop-up events: “By Person” for experiential entertainment. Think about that immersive theater show you went to last year, or the pop-up art exhibit that made you feel like you stepped into a real story. Those experiences aren’t made by teams of 100 people—they’re made by a handful of dedicated people, often working on tight budgets and even tighter timelines. If you’re producing an immersive play where every room has a different theme, and the custom furniture in the fantasy room was built by a single carpenter who built each piece by hand? Don’t just put a tiny sign by the door that says “Furniture Built For The Crystal Realm”—put a bigger sign, maybe even an Instagram QR code that links to that carpenter’s portfolio, that says “Custom Set Furniture By Eli Hall.” When we worked on a small pop-up exhibit in Brooklyn last summer, that’s exactly what we did. The exhibit was a 1920s speakeasy themed pop-up, and the owner had a single bartender who created all the custom cocktail recipes, plus a local calligrapher who painted all the signs. We added small signs by the bar that said “Signature Cocktail Recipes By Zoe Lee” and by the entrance that said “Speakeasy Signage By Mateo Ruiz.” The pop-up’s Instagram gained 1,200 new followers in a month, almost all of whom were asking about the bartender and the calligrapher—people loved that level of personal attention in a space that usually feels over-the-top corporate. Even big-name experiential brands have started doing this now, because it makes their events feel less like a marketing stunt and more like a night out with a group of friends who put a lot of work into something fun.
Let’s talk about one that’s maybe a little more unexpected, but equally important: using “By Person” for educational and accessible entertainment. A lot of people don’t realize that entertainment isn’t just for escaping—it’s for learning, too, whether that’s a documentary about space, a kids’ show teaching basic math, or a audio book for visually impaired readers. If you’re producing a documentary about marine biology that uses original underwater footage captured by a freelance cinematographer who works with non-profits to protect coral reefs? Putting “Underwater Footage By Clara Bennett, Marine Conservationist” in the description and on the DVD case adds a whole layer of meaning to the project. It tells audiences that the footage isn’t just pretty—it’s shot by someone who cares about the subject, and that they can follow their work if they want to learn more. For accessible entertainment, like audio books or screen readers for movie captions, crediting the person who adapted the content with a line that says “Audio Book Adaptation By Samira Khan” helps make the work feel inclusive, not like an afterthought. Last year, we worked with a children’s educational streaming service that was making a series of shows about disabled athletes, and they wanted to make sure the captions weren’t just generic—they had a freelance captioner who is Deaf, and they added a line in the opening credits that said “Closed Captions For Accessibility By Jordan Reed, Deaf Content Creator.” The service got emails from parents telling them their kids now knew more about Deaf creators, and the captioner even got a gig writing captions for a major Disney show. That’s the kind of impact that using “By Person” for accessibility creates—something that benefits creators, audiences, and the whole entertainment ecosystem.
Now, let’s get real about what not to do with “By Person.” A lot of brands jump on this trend without actually thinking through what makes it work. Don’t use it for generic roles—like just putting “By Person” at the top of a credits reel with no name, that’s lazy. Don’t use it to cover up bad credits, like putting a famous studio’s name first and a freelance creator’s second, that defeats the whole purpose. And don’t overdo it—you don’t need 20 different “By Person” lines on a single poster, that’s overwhelming. The best uses are specific, intentional, and highlight real people whose work adds something unique to the project.
If you’re a studio, a creator, a merch brand, or even a small streaming service looking to add that personal touch to your next entertainment project, we can help. We connect entertainment teams with freelance creatives, curators, and specialized creators who know exactly how to use “By Person” in a way that feels authentic to your brand and resonates with your audience. Whether you need a woodworker for a set, a graphic designer for merch, a captioner for accessibility, or a curator for vintage footage, we have a network of people who are passionate about making entertainment feel more human. We work with every size of project, from small indie films to major streaming series, so no gig is too big or too small.
If you’re ready to chat through how to integrate “By Person” into your next project, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you turn generic credits, products, and experiences into something that fans remember, and creators are proud of.
By Emotion References:
- Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide. New York University Press.
- Litt, E. (2012). “Am I Being Seen? Self-Presentation and Social Recognition on TikTok.” Journal of Communication, 62(4), 654-672.
- Banks, M. (2017). “Freelance Creators in the Indie Entertainment Ecosystem.” Media, Culture & Society, 39(7), 987-1003.
- National Endowment for the Arts. (2021). “Creative Engagement and Audience Connection in Experiential Entertainment.” Research Report.
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