To begin, jobs are divided into two rough categories based on the movie s budget top sheet. Spreadsheets are completely customizable and easy to share with other members of the production team. These roles include but are not limited to the screenwriter, producer, director, and actors. The abovetheline crew is the essential members of your crew that you. You can find an example in this film budgeting template i. The budget tom kanes film production workshop youtube. Typically, above the line costs deal with creatives such as directors even first assistant directors, producers, writers, and actors, while below the line costs consist of film crew and postproduction team members. So above the line expenses would refer to all of those positions, expenses, and personnel. Costs incurred during the production of an advertising commercial that are associated with the creative side of it. 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. Director of photography the dop is traditionally put belowtheline. Abovetheline refers to the list of individuals who guide and influence the creative direction. Our film budget template lets you fill in everything by line item and then. Above and below the line in filmmaking amy clarke films.
What does abovebelow the line mean in a film budget. The jobs above the line are the people that get paid a negotiated set rate or a percentage of gross regardless of how many shooting days or scenes are ultimately required for the film. Belowtheline is a term derived from the top sheet of a film budget for motion pictures, television programs, industrial films, independent films, student films and documentaries as well as commercials. All preproduction and production costs, equipment and btl belowtheline labor are accounted for in this category. Above the line costs are usually varied, while below the line costs are more fixed. Tom kanes 3day film production workshop is the definitive course for aspiring producers, directors, production managers, assistant directors, writers. Technically, the line refers directly to the film s production budget and the expenditures needed before principal photography begins. The abovetheline costs include the costs for the rights, producer. The essential guide to film budgets with free film budget. Below the line costs include salaries of support staff and talent and all production costs catering, studio, lighting, etc. The biggest variable above the line, of course, is the cast. A good rule of thumb is that belowtheline costs will make up onehalf to twothirds of the budget. But what is the difference between above the line and below the line costs.
How to create a film budget gorilla budgeting jungle software. Below the line has carried with it a stigma in both verbiage and significance. Often, the term is used for matters related to the film s production budget. When creating a feature film budget, often expenses are divided into above the line and below the line costs. October 2014 learn how and when to remove this template message. Technically, the line refers directly to the films production budget and the. Above the line sounds like it must carry more weight in the process. Why film budgets are important, beyond the cost of production. Typically, a budget will start out with the above the line expenses. The ultimate film budgeting guide free film budget template. If a scene is cut in a film the screenwriter is still paid the same amount regardless.
The filmmaking terms above the line and below the line have always imparted greater importance to the first of the two. You can find an example in this film budgeting template i made for no film school here. Belowtheline is a term derived from the top sheet of a film budget for motion pictures, television programs, industrial films, independent films, student films and. The weird world of hollywood finance film the guardian. Typically, abovetheline refers to producers, directors, writers, cast including name actorsmovie stars, etc. The above the line workers are considered essential to the film, the below the line workers are considered replaceable. Our film budget template lets you fill in everything by line item and then automatically adds up for you what is atl and btl. This is the ultimate guide to film budgeting, including a free template, and a. You would think that the belowtheline costs would be much greater than the above. Gear and crew costs are below the line while expenses, producers, talent, and other items are above the line. By industry practice, the budget is divided into abovetheline costs, belowtheline costs, and other costs.
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