What is an Above-the-line Oscar? “Above-the-line” refers to the list of individuals who guide and influence the creative direction, process, and voice of a given narrative in a film and related expenditures. These roles include but are not limited to the screenwriter, producer, director. Actors are NOT above the line.
Often, the term is used for matters related to the film’s production budget. Above-the-line expenditures reflect the expected line item compensation for an official above-the-line member’s role in a given film project. These expenditures are usually set, negotiated, spent and/or promised before principal photography begins. They include rights to secure the material on which the screenplay is based, production rights to the screenplay, compensation for the screenwriter, producer, director, principal actors and other cost-related line items such as assistants for the producers, director or actors.
The distinction originates from the early studio days when the budget top-sheet would literally have a line separating the above-the-line and below-the-line costs.
What is an Above-the-line Oscar?
In the film industry, the term “above the line” refers to the creative and financial personnel involved in the production of a film. These individuals are typically credited before the title of the film, and they include the following:
- Producers: The producers are responsible for overseeing the production of the film and ensuring that it stays on budget and on schedule.
- Director: The director is responsible for the creative vision of the film and for bringing the script to life.
- Writers: The writers are responsible for the screenplay, which is the blueprint for the film.
- Principal cast: The principal cast are the actors who play the lead roles in the film.
Above-the-line Oscars are awarded to the individuals in these categories. They are considered to be the most prestigious Oscars, as they recognize the creative and financial contributions of the people who are responsible for making the film.
Here are some examples of above-the-line Oscar winners:
- Producers: Steven Spielberg (Schindler’s List), Kathleen Kennedy (The Silence of the Lambs), and Brad Pitt (12 Years a Slave).
- Director: Martin Scorsese (The Departed), Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction), and Alfonso Cuarón (Roma).
- Writers: Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network), and Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird).
- Principal cast: Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood), Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady), and Frances McDormand (Nomadland).
Below-the-line Oscars are awarded to the individuals who are responsible for the technical aspects of the film, such as the cinematography, editing, and sound design. They are considered to be less prestigious than above-the-line Oscars, but they are still a highly coveted honor.
Here are some examples of below-the-line Oscar winners:
- Cinematography: Roger Deakins (Blade Runner 2049), Emmanuel Lubezki (Gravity), and Vittorio Storaro (Apocalypse Now).
- Editing: Thelma Schoonmaker (The Departed), William Goldenberg (Argo), and Lee Smith (12 Years a Slave).
- Sound: Dune, The Sound of Metal, and Whiplash.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
What is the difference between above the line and below the line film crew?
In the film industry, the terms “above the line” and “below the line” refer to the different categories of crew members involved in the production of a film.
Above the line crew members are responsible for the creative and financial aspects of the film. They are typically credited before the title of the film, and their salaries are typically listed above the line on the film’s budget.
- Producers
- Director
- Writers
- Principal cast
Below the line crew members are responsible for the technical aspects of the film. They are typically credited after the title of the film, and their salaries are typically listed below the line on the film’s budget.
- Cinematographer
- Editor
- Sound designer
- Production designer
- Costume designer
- Makeup artist
- Hair stylist
- Location manager
- Gaffer
- Electrician
- Grip
- Camera operator
- Sound mixer
- Art director
- Set decorator
- Greensman
- Animal trainer
- Stunt coordinator
The terms “above the line” and “below the line” come from the way that salaries are typically listed on the film’s budget. The salaries of the above-the-line crew members are listed above the line, while the salaries of the below-the-line crew members are listed below the line.
Above-the-line crew members are typically paid more than below-the-line crew members. This is because the above-the-line crew members are responsible for the creative and financial aspects of the film, which are the most important aspects of the film.
Below-the-line crew members are still essential to the production of a film, but they are not as important as the above-the-line crew members. This is because the below-the-line crew members are responsible for the technical aspects of the film, which are important but not as important as the creative and financial aspects of the film.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
What is an example of an above the line position on a film?
An above-the-line position on a film is a creative or financial position that is typically credited before the title of the film. These positions are considered to be the most important positions on a film, and they are typically paid the most.
Some examples of above-the-line positions on a film include:
- Producer: The producer is responsible for overseeing the production of the film and ensuring that it stays on budget and on schedule.
- Director: The director is responsible for the creative vision of the film and for bringing the script to life.
- Writer: The writer is responsible for the screenplay, which is the blueprint for the film.
- Principal cast: The principal cast are the actors who play the lead roles in the film.
Other above-the-line positions on a film can include:
- Executive producer: The executive producer is responsible for overseeing the financial aspects of the film.
- Co-producer: The co-producer is responsible for assisting the producer with the production of the film.
- Line producer: The line producer is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the production.
- Unit production manager: The unit production manager is responsible for overseeing the budget and schedule of the production.
Above-the-line positions are typically filled by experienced and talented individuals who have a proven track record in the film industry. These individuals are responsible for making the most important decisions about the film, and they play a vital role in the success of the film.
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