Above the Line

Introduction

The phrase above-the-line is frequently applied to issues pertaining to the production budget of the movie. Above-the-line expenses are the projected line item remuneration for the role of an official above-the-line member in a particular motion picture. These costs are often agreed upon, spent, and/or pledged prior to the start of main filming.

These cover the rights to the original material that the script is based on, the screenplay's production rights, payment to the screenwriter, producer, director, and main actors, as well as additional cost-related line items like assistants to the directors, producers, or actors.

Above the Line will be easier to understand if we give a brief contrast between what Above the Line and Below the Line is.

Differentiation between Above the Line and Below the Line

The word "budgeting" is closely related to this. Budget sheets for film production are separated into two sections by a line. Crew members are positioned either above or below this budgetary line.

Although the phrase above the line was originally used primarily to refer to money affairs, it is now frequently used to refer to a variety of non-financial issues. A degree of significance and creative impact is also indicated by being above the line crew.

In the meanwhile, during a film shoot, the above-the-line crew seldom changes unless there's serious conflict that results in a resignation or studio or producer firing someone.

Above The Line Positions

Out of all the positions on a film crew, only few are regarded as above the line; most are below it. They include:

Producers

Directors

Screenwriters

Principal Actors

As you can see, certain significant movie roles are not included above the line. Important employees like the production designer, film editor, and director of photography would normally be found above the line, but according to the conventional criteria, they are really below it.

There are two reasons for this. They are classified as below the line in the budget because, among other things, their salary is deemed flexible. Furthermore, rather than being creative positions, the DP and production designer are seen as technical ones.

Although they employ a great deal of ingenuity in their job, the director ultimately has the last say over the creative choices they make. Rather of actively influencing a film's creative direction, they assist in realizing the director's vision. When producing a film with little funding, the contrast between the two becomes less significant.