Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Art Department • Wild Lines • Rough Cut

Above the Line

Term from Film Production industry explained for recruiters

Above the Line refers to the key creative and decision-making roles in film and television production. These are the people who have the most creative control and typically the highest salaries in a production. This includes directors, producers, writers, and main actors. When someone mentions "Above the Line" in their resume, they're indicating they've worked with or as part of the primary creative team, rather than in technical or support roles. The term comes from the way film budgets are organized, with a literal line dividing creative leadership roles (above) from technical and support roles (below).

Examples in Resumes

Managed budgets for Above the Line talent on multiple feature films

Coordinated schedules between Above the Line crew members during pre-production

Served as liaison between ATL and BTL departments on major studio productions

Typical job title: "Above the Line Personnel"

Also try searching for:

Film Director Executive Producer Screenwriter Lead Actor Film Producer Creative Director Content Director

Where to Find Above the Line Personnel

Industry Organizations

Job Boards

Networking Platforms

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you handle creative conflicts between different Above the Line personnel?

Expected Answer: Should discuss experience in conflict resolution, balancing creative visions, and maintaining project momentum while respecting artistic inputs from directors, producers, and other creative leads.

Q: What's your approach to managing an Above the Line budget while maintaining creative quality?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of budget allocation between different creative roles, negotiation experience, and strategies for maximizing creative value within financial constraints.

Mid Level Questions

Q: Explain the relationship between Above the Line and Below the Line crews.

Expected Answer: Should explain how to facilitate communication between creative and technical teams, maintain clear chains of command, and ensure smooth collaboration across departments.

Q: How do you coordinate schedules between Above the Line personnel?

Expected Answer: Should discuss experience with managing availability of high-profile talent, understanding scheduling priorities, and solving scheduling conflicts.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the main Above the Line roles in a production?

Expected Answer: Should be able to identify directors, producers, writers, and principal actors as Above the Line roles and explain their basic responsibilities.

Q: How does the Above the Line budget differ from other production costs?

Expected Answer: Should understand that Above the Line costs are typically fixed and negotiated before production begins, unlike Below the Line costs which can vary during production.