DO NOW: READ ALL THE MATERIAL BELOW IN BLUE AND PREPARE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT "THE LINE" MEANS AND WHY TV JOBS ARE DISTINGUISHED BY WHO IS OFTEN "ABOVE" OR "BELOW" THE LINE.
TV PRODUCTION JOBS:
MANY TV PRODUCTION JOBS ARE REFERRED TO AS "ABOVE OR BELOW THE LINE."
WHAT IS "THE LINE"? THE LINE IS AN WAY TO DIVIDE BETWEEN TECHNICAL AND NON TECHNICAL JOBS. IT IS ALSO USED FOR BUDGETARY PURPOSES AND HELPS TO FACTOR IN COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH LABOR.
What does “Above-the-Line” and “Below-the-Line” mean?
These terms evolved in reference to the budget line of a production. “Above-the-line” is a film and television industry term derived from where the money is budgeted for creative talent, writers, directors and producers. This term means job positions that are associated with the creative or financial control of a film or multimedia project, not the technical aspects. “Below-the-line” is a film and television industry term derived from where the money is budgeted for technical crew working on a film or multimedia project as well as for costs related to the studio, equipment, travel, and location. In regards to job positions, this term means technical crew working in temporary positions and these individuals do not have creative or financial control of the project nor receive residuals. (Post-production crew is typically a separate budget and includes different crew positions.
WHAT IS "THE LINE"? THE LINE IS AN WAY TO DIVIDE BETWEEN TECHNICAL AND NON TECHNICAL JOBS. IT IS ALSO USED FOR BUDGETARY PURPOSES AND HELPS TO FACTOR IN COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH LABOR.
What does “Above-the-Line” and “Below-the-Line” mean?
These terms evolved in reference to the budget line of a production. “Above-the-line” is a film and television industry term derived from where the money is budgeted for creative talent, writers, directors and producers. This term means job positions that are associated with the creative or financial control of a film or multimedia project, not the technical aspects. “Below-the-line” is a film and television industry term derived from where the money is budgeted for technical crew working on a film or multimedia project as well as for costs related to the studio, equipment, travel, and location. In regards to job positions, this term means technical crew working in temporary positions and these individuals do not have creative or financial control of the project nor receive residuals. (Post-production crew is typically a separate budget and includes different crew positions.
HERE ARE SOME "ABOVE THE LINE" JOBS WHO ARE "NON-TECHNICAL"
Producer-The person who comes up with the show idea. He/She also does all the research, interviewing, scriptwriting and shooting for the piece and usually generates "packages" in order to tell the story start to finish. Often they refer to their story as their "baby" working tirelessly until the story is read to edit -where a post-production producer may step in-or not... in which the producer continues to oversee that their script is edited as outline. OR the producer get rolled into a studio taping.
Line Producer-The person in charge of the day-to-day production activities and who answers to the executive producer
Executive Producer-The person who is responsible for the entire show creation and especially in charge of the show's overall budget
Director-The person who is in charge of the crew and ensures that the producer's vision is accomplished during the shoot. He calls the cameras shots to the TD who then operates the switcher and cuts the program line cut.
Associate Director-Responsible for tape timing and getting the show on and off the air on time. Acts as the Directors right hand and helps tell the director tapes
Associate Producer- Assists the Producer in various ways-pre-interviewing, booking guests, logging tape, coordinating crew & shoots, attending & interviewing guests for Producer.
Writer-Writes Scripts and determines what anchors and talent say on the air
Lighting Designer-Lights the set and makes creative decisions for a show's overall look.
Line Producer-The person in charge of the day-to-day production activities and who answers to the executive producer
Executive Producer-The person who is responsible for the entire show creation and especially in charge of the show's overall budget
Director-The person who is in charge of the crew and ensures that the producer's vision is accomplished during the shoot. He calls the cameras shots to the TD who then operates the switcher and cuts the program line cut.
Associate Director-Responsible for tape timing and getting the show on and off the air on time. Acts as the Directors right hand and helps tell the director tapes
Associate Producer- Assists the Producer in various ways-pre-interviewing, booking guests, logging tape, coordinating crew & shoots, attending & interviewing guests for Producer.
Writer-Writes Scripts and determines what anchors and talent say on the air
Lighting Designer-Lights the set and makes creative decisions for a show's overall look.
HERE ARE SOME "ABOVE THE LINE" JOBS WHO ARE "TECHNICAL"
Chief Engineer -Responsible for all technical equipment within the facilities or studio
Asst. Chief Engineer-Assists the Chief Engineer and ensures that particular technical issues are resolved
HERE ARE SOME "BELOW THE LINE" JOBS WHO ARE "NON-TECHNICAL"
Floor Manager-Acts as the Director on the studio floor. Since the irector operates through monitors in the control room, the floor manager acts as his eyes and ears on the studio floor.
Production Assistant- Responsible for doing any/all leg-work needed within a production. Often gets coffee, writes up cue cards and makes updated version photocopies of scripts for all on crew to follow necessary changes.
Makeup Artist- Makes the Talent camera ready using dramatic makeup accenting features that work well with studio based lights
Production Assistant- Responsible for doing any/all leg-work needed within a production. Often gets coffee, writes up cue cards and makes updated version photocopies of scripts for all on crew to follow necessary changes.
Makeup Artist- Makes the Talent camera ready using dramatic makeup accenting features that work well with studio based lights
HERE ARE SOME "BELOW THE LINE" JOBS WHO ARE "TECHNICAL"
Technical Director-Oversees other crew members for the Director. Operates the "switcher" which takes the cameras that the Director calls for.
Camera Operators- Shoot and operate cameras as needed by the Director
Grips & Stagehands- Help to move equipment, set up equipment, build sets and helps accomplish all overall setup goals of the production.
Camera Operators- Shoot and operate cameras as needed by the Director
Grips & Stagehands- Help to move equipment, set up equipment, build sets and helps accomplish all overall setup goals of the production.