Which jobs are usually considered above-the-line positions in filmmaking?

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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 filmmaking, above-the-line positions refer to the personnel responsible for the artistic and creative aspects of a production. These roles typically include:

Directors1
Actors and actresses1
Screenwriters1

These individuals are distinguished from below-the-line workers, who are primarily responsible for the technical tasks of production, such as set design, costume design, and makeup artistry. The classification is significant because the negotiation of contracts for above-the-line workers—particularly those who are well-known stars—can be complex due to their specific bargaining power.1