Until the 1970s, strict union rules required directors and writers to be credited at the start of a film. George Lucas famously broke this rule with 'Star Wars' (1977). He wanted the movie to feel like an immersive experience, beginning immediately with the 'Star Wars' logo and the iconic opening crawl. To do this, he omitted all opening credits. The Directors Guild of America (DGA) and Writers Guild of America (WGA) were furious. When Lucas did the same for 'The Empire Strikes Back' (1980), the DGA fined him $250,000 and tried to pull the film from theaters. Rather than comply, Lucas paid the fine and resigned from the DGA and WGA entirely. His defiance paved the way for modern 'minimalist' openings where only the title appears before the action begins.