The stigma of “Below the Line” in film
The filmmaking terms “above the line” and “below the line” have always imparted greater importance to the first of the two.
“Above the line” sounds like it must carry more weight in the process. “Below the line” has carried with it a stigma in both verbiage and significance.
Technically, “The Line” refers directly to the film’s production budget and the expenditures needed BEFORE principal photography begins.
“The Line” is by definition simply the point at which shooting begins. Without both sides of “The Line” working in unison…a film will have very little chance of succeeding.
Images from the production of “6 BELOW: Miracle on the Mountain”
Every team member of every department on a film is a critical necessity for success. One weak link CAN sink the ship. Personally, I have seen “below the line” filmmakers, unfortunately, perpetuate this fallacy of importance and diminish their own value on a production. When someone devalues themselves over a term that, by actual definition, does not denigrate their role in any manner…they limit and hurt the end product.
No one role can single-handedly guarantee success in the filmmaking process. It is a team effort and the cumulative output of everyone involved contributes to the end result.
I am a film editor. I’ve edited 11 feature films and have valued every second and given 110% on every project. I’m “below the line” on every film. I spend around 6 to 12 months alone in a room with the director crafting the story. Two people. One room. Limitless possibilities. No interruptions. Talking about the story. Trying different edits. Over and over again until the time or money runs out and the film is locked. Does that sound less important than “above the line”?
Think about your role and acknowledge how important it is. Every choice and decision you make matters. It’s in your hands.
A clear vision is needed in every step of making a film. Ego/confidence is needed to help steer the ship. Collaboration is critical. Compromise is required at every turn. Serving the story is paramount for every person working on the film. Feeling sorry for yourself because you are classified as “below the line” without knowing its true meaning is cutting yourself out of the loop.
Since it is a fact that “The Line” is actually only a moment IN TIME during the production…I’ve created a linear time diagram that shows the natural progression of a film production and more importantly WHEN all the cast & crew enter and exit the process.
The term “hierarchy” moving forward should be seen as temporal…as opposed to a vertical org chart. Remember that every individual, at every step of the way, needs to be firing on all cylinders to give the film a shot at immortality. Set the bar higher for yourself than you expect.
Push yourself. Embrace your position. Be proud of your role. Don’t limit yourself.
Don’t think “Below the Line” is less important. It’s not:
Filmmaking Timeline: Pre-Production / Physical Production / Post-Production
Until next time…
There are 2 comments
Very surprised to see the First Assistant Director Below The Line which seems to run counter to the article’s description of online as being someone who bridges pre-production to production
Great post Vashi. I would add “Production Office” to the Below The Line category as they are the department responsible for executing the vision of the Line Producer the same way the camera team executes the vision of the DP.