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How do above-the-line workers differ from below-the-line workers on a film production?

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Director Sir David Lean sits atop a ladder beside a film camera, surrounded by crew and equipment on the set of Doctor Zhivago (1965) under a blue sky.
film David Lean (sitting atop a ladder) during the filming of Doctor Zhivago (1965).

In the context of film production, personnel are categorized based on the nature of their contributions to the project.1

  • Above-the-line workers are responsible for the artistic and creative aspects of a film. This group typically includes directors, screenwriters, and lead actors and actresses. Because these individuals often possess significant bargaining power—particularly when they are well-known stars—the negotiation of their contracts is frequently complex.1

  • Below-the-line workers provide the technical labor necessary to bring the production to life. This category encompasses roles such as set designers, costume designers, and makeup artists. Unlike the studio-based model of the past where crews were often under long-term contracts, modern production typically utilizes a project-based approach. This shift has resulted in a higher degree of precarity and uncertainty for below-the-line workers, as teams are assembled for a single film and disbanded once production concludes.1