Below the line is a term used to differentiate the people who provide production and technical services for a movie or TV production (such as editors, camera operators, make-up artists, and boom operators) from the above the line people who are charged with the creative elements of the production (such as directors, producers, and writers).  In preparing the budget for a Film or TV show, these costs include all of the expenses & salaries of the non-starring Cast Members and the Crew (except for the Director) as well as all the rental fees for Stages; Studio expenses; Film Equipment fees; Travel expenses; Location Fees as well as Craft Services & Catering (feeding the Cast & Crew); etc.  In contrast to the “Above the Line,” expenses, the Below-the-Line budget is traditionally fixed.

 

This term comes from the old studio days when they actually had a line drawn between these two distinct aspects of the budget.

 

Often in productions, the below the line costs are considered fixed and less negotiable whereas above the line costs are extremely negotiable. Some people laughingly refer to the above the line and below the line as “the demarcation line between power and no power.” Part of the reason for this discrepancy is because the screenwriter, producer, director, and lead actors are considered irreplaceable. Without those unique individuals, the production would not exist. Below the line providers such as actors with smaller parts, film crew members, caterers, make-up artists, and even editors are considered more replaceable.

 

Below the line costs not only include individuals providing services, but also all the other costs associated with production such as location, equipment, and sets. Many a film has experienced surprise increases in below the line costs because of schedule conflicts, weather, fuel prices, or actor illnesses. In the event of increases in one area (film crew), last minute changes to other costs (caterers, editing) must be made to stay under the total budget. Nonetheless, the only flexibility once production has begun is within the below the line budget since Bruce Willis is highly unlikely to donate some of his salary to cover the extra costs of filming.

 

In big budget Hollywood films, screenwriters, producers, directors and lead actors can take up to 60% of the total budget in the above the line costs, leaving only 40% of the budget for the actual making of and editing of the film. In truly low budget productions, all of the budget may go to below the line costs such as equipment and film while all of the actors and crew work for free.