On pre-printed budget forms there actually was a thick line which delineated
the "discretionary" costs (actors, directors, designers, etc.) from the
"fixed"
costs (travel, sets, costumes, days of production, etc,).
Depending upon decisions of the production company the above-line-costs can be
adjusted by changing some of the personell. For the most part
below-the-line costs remain a constant. Computer budgeting programs still
present us with a
thick line to separate the two sections.
Hope this is of some use.
Rolf W. Brandis
 
 
At 12:20 PM 1/23/97 -0600, you wrote:
>I think I understand the distinction in the film industry between
>"above the line" and "below the line" costs, but I wondered if anyone knew
>the origin of those terms.
>
>What "line" is actually involved--the *bottom* line, or something else?
>
>When were these phrase first used?  Are they still current?
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Don Larsson, Mankato State U (MN)
>
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