Real World Digital Video, Second Edition

Staffing Requirements

Staffing a film-style production poses many of the same challenges whether you're shooting a Hollywood feature or an inexpensive training video. The only significant difference between big-budget studio productions and low-budget indies is how many hats you ask people to wear.

Above the Line, Below the Line

For purposes of planning and budgeting, salaries on movie projects are traditionally divided into two categories.

Above-the-Line Salaries

These expenses include “high-profile” (and often high-priced) personnel like directors, writers, producers, and leading actors. Although their minimum compensation may be set by unions and craft guilds, what you actually end up paying will usually be a matter of negotiation based on ...