Film glossary

Above the Line

Above the line refers to the creative leadership costs of a film, usually negotiated before production begins.

Above the line covers the writer, director, producers, and principal cast, whose deals are typically set during development. These commitments often drive the schedule, since key personnel availability shapes when a film can shoot.

The term comes from the literal line on a budget top sheet that separates creative leadership from the technical and operational costs below it. Understanding the split matters for both budgeting and scheduling.

Go deeper

Film Production Management guideFilm production management is the discipline of planning, budgeting, scheduling, and coordinating everything that turns a greenlit project into a finished film. It spans development, pre-production, production, and post, and it keeps cast, crew, vendors, budget, and deliverables aligned so a film is completed on schedule and ready to deliver.

Related terms

Keep reading the glossary

Below the LineBelow the line refers to the technical crew and operational costs of actually making a film.ContingencyA contingency is a reserve built into a film budget to cover unexpected costs during production.Completion BondA completion bond is a guarantee from a bond company that a film will be finished and delivered on schedule and on budget, or that the financier will be repaid.DefermentA deferment is a fee that a participant agrees to postpone, taking payment later out of the film revenue instead of upfront.

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