Above-the-line (filmmaking)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

"Above-the-line" refers to the list of individuals who guide and influence the creative direction, process, and voice of a given narrative in a film and related expenditures. These roles include but are not limited to the screenwriter, producer, director, and principal cast.[1][2][3]

Often, the term is used for matters related to the film's production budget. Above-the-line expenditures reflect the expected line item compensation for an official above-the-line member's role in a given film project. These expenditures are usually set, negotiated, spent and/or promised before

director
, principal actors and other cost-related line items such as assistants for the producers, director or actors.

The distinction originates from the early studio days when the

below-the-line
costs.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Film & TV Production Roles and Departments" (PDF). Film Victoria. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  2. ^ "A Film Director's Approach to Managing Creativity". Harvard Business Review. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  3. ^ Pruner, Aaron (10 May 2022). "Above-the-Line vs. Below-the-Line Jobs in Film". Backstage. Retrieved 6 September 2023.