These positions in production are considered technical and non-creative. This includes the likes of grips, gaffers, best boys, key grips, PAs, set dressers, extras, supporting actors, stunt performers, SPFX artists, UPMs, 1st and 2nd ADs, craft services, certain talent, etc, etc. The long answer is: every film crew position aside from producers, directors, screenwriters, and the principal cast. Below the line meaning Which roles are below the line? The term ‘below the line’ first worked its way into filmmaking vocabulary as a purely budgetary term, but is now used to denote the level of importance and creative influence of crew members as well. Other below the line crew members may only plan to be involved for a handful of days from the beginning as they jump between numerous productions, hence the term ‘day-players.’ The same of course applies to globe-trotting films shot in multiple countries.
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Unit” and “New York Unit” listed in the credits of a film shot on both coasts. This is especially common for films shot in more than one location since it is often easier to crew-up with locals rather than fly the entire crew to the next shoot location. They may be replaced before a shoot has concluded at the discretion of the film’s producers or at the request of the director.īelow the line personnel may also be part of just one of multiple complete film crews involved in a production. There are a number of reasons why these crew members may be swapped out during production. In the video below, Crash Course explains how and why certain film crew positions are placed on either side of the line.Ībove the line personnel are typically present for a film’s entire production span, but that might not necessarily be the case for below the line personnel.
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They may earn more than their standard rate on a day that runs long or pushes past lunch, and they will continue to be paid more for additional days of shooting or reshoots if they are brought back later on.īy the same token, that same best boy will not be paid for any days spent off-set, meaning if shooting is delayed, a day of production is canceled, or a scene/location is cut from the production schedule, that best boy may end up earning less money overall than they would have otherwise. If we were to look at the earnings of a best boy as an example. This budgetary line is why all film crew positions are placed either above or below the ‘line.’Ĭrew members placed 'below' are typically budgeted at a ‘variable rate,’ meaning that their pay can fluctuate based on certain factors affecting a production.
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Film-production budget sheets were traditionally divided into two sections by a line. The above and below the line terms come directly from budgeting. Below the line talent Why are crews divided this way?