Vanity credit:
1. A credit given to an individual who has had little or no actual involvement with the making of a moving image work. Vanity credits are usually given to a person because of their position in the corporate hierarchy, such as the head of studio or company, or the head of a specific department, such as art or costumes (for instance, a person who assigns subordinates to individual films while still receiving credit).
2. Also, redundant credits given when more specific functions (usually director or producer) are indicated; since the 1980s, a director of American features frequently receives an additional credit reading "a film by ..." at the opening, although final credits will specify function.