6 Messages

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134 Points

Friday, June 26th, 2026

Solved

"themselves" as role in Self (cast)

Every time I enter "themselves" as a Role in Self (for a group, such as a band name), I get the message:

  • Occurrences of 'Themselves' have been removed from Role in accordance with IMDb rules.

Has "themselves" been removed?  Should a band just be Self?  If so, why is the Role "themselves" still appearing in the list?

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317 Messages

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7K Points

1 month ago

Hello. 

Fellow contributor here, how strange, you are correct, according to the Help pages it's still in use.

Ref:

"For "Self" or "Themselves" (for groups) type appearances, credits must be added to the "Self" section, with a short description of the individual's role on the title selected from the drop-down list in the "Role" field, or manually entered if the applicable example is not listed in the drop-down. "Themselves" must be entered as a prefix to the group's name in the "Role" field."

Can I ask, since you write both Self and (Cast) in your headline.

Is this a documentary or news show, or a fictional piece?

Because it seems to different rules whether you choose the "self" section  or the "cast" section: 

"Where someone is billed in the credits as themselves in a fictional piece and are playing a scripted, fictional version of themselves, these should be added to the Cast section, with the performer's name as the character name."

https://help.imdb.com/article/contribution/filmography-credits/cast-acting-credits-guidelines/GH3JZC74FVYKKFMD?ref_=helpsrall# 

 

6 Messages

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134 Points

I am talking about documentaries, though a group could also appear in fiction roles.

317 Messages

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7K Points

@musicglenn​ OK, which of this fields did you choose?

317 Messages

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7K Points

@musicglenn​ 

OK, I made 2 comments here with pictures but they end up being set as private, so their not visible yet to others,  so I try again with no pictures.

If you go to the edit button at THE BOTTOM of the page (not the edit sidebar), did you then choose the "self" option or the "cast" option, to add the credit?

6 Messages

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134 Points

i did the "edit page" button at the bottom of the main movie page, then under "Cast and Crew" chose the second selection "Self".

I have noticed that certain groups are still categorized as "Themselves" in cast credits, but perhaps they've just been grandfathered in, from when you could use Themselves?

I agree with Peter_pbn that it is easier to just use Self - means i have one less thing to do when i enter a group.  

(edited)

317 Messages

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7K Points

1 month ago

to IMDb:

What is the status on the error on the Sidebar editor? It still only gives the option of cast and not self, maybe that's why people get it wrong?

see 2 pictures in comparison between sidebar and the traditional edit from the bottom of the page:

   

6 Messages

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134 Points

@Kristin​ mine comes up like the one on the bottom of the page, where i select the Self option at the bottom

Employee

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@Kristin​ - Thank you! I've forwarded this information to the appropriate team for further investigation (Ref Ticket #V2267334506). We'll reply once we receive further information.

Employee

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@Kristin​ - Circling back, the respective team is currently working on system improvements in this area. These changes are undergoing internal testing and should be available soon. 

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1 month ago

Employee

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8.5K Messages

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89.2K Points

1 month ago

Hi musicglenn-

Thank you for reporting this issue. I've forwarded this information to the appropriate team for further investigation (Ref Ticket #V2267329318). We'll reply once we receive further information. Thank you for your patience.

Cheers!

Employee

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8.5K Messages

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89.2K Points

@musicglenn and all- We can confirm that this issue is now resolved. 'Themselves' can now be added again on the role field without getting the warning message. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.