The film crew is divided into two categories depending upon the nature of their jobs and the budget factors. One category is above the line crew members, and the other is the below the line crew. Both the categories of a film crew are important to execute and produce a film successfully.
The below the line members are not involved in the creative aspect of the film, and they have the least key significance in the creativity of the film. Below the line members also keep changing during film production, unlike above the line members. The reason behind these changes to the members is the change in location of the shoot, due to which the production team decides to hire local members. The below the line crew is involved in technical aspects, and they are responsible for providing the required elements and amenities on a film set.
Keep scrolling down the article to explore more about below the line film crew and their duties on a film set.
Top 6 Below the Line Crew Members and Their Duties
The addition and reduction of the below the line crew members of a film keep changing during the process of filmmaking. More members will be hired depending upon the need and requirement to do the tasks. It is not necessary that these members will be with you throughout the filmmaking journey. Their roles and responsibilities are important for film production because for producing big hits, you require great help, even if it is for technical purposes.
Below are some of the below the line crew members along with their responsibilities.
1. Extras
Film extras are the actors that appear in a scene to make it rich. These actors are not involved in dialogue delivery, neither are they involved in interacting with the main actors. People behind the actor shown in a market are examples of film extras; they can be found in other such scenes of a film. Arranging a crew requires great time, which is why film companies in Dubai are the right choice for people who want to produce successful films. Such companies help produce films by selecting the right crew at the right time without increasing the film budget.
2. Stunt performers
Most of the films have action and add some stunts to gain the attention of the user or to make their films look better. Due to safety reasons and the skills of the actors, stunt performers are hired. These stunt performers will look similar to the actual actors from a distance, and camera angles are placed so the viewer cannot figure out whether the stuntman or the actor performed the action. These stunt performers are considered below the line crew because they are hired when needed and are a part of the film for a limited time.
3. Supporting actors
All the actors that play a secondary role in a film are known as supporting actors. These supporting roles are not responsible for the success of the film, unlike the main role or actor. These supporting actors may appear in several scenes of a film along with the main lead, but they will not entirely be a part of a film. These supporting may play leading roles in other films, which is why they may also charge more for their performance. They are considered below the line members due to the time and appearance rates in a film.
4. A grip
A person working side-by-side of the cinematographer or the photography director is the grip. A grip will be responsible for arranging and managing all the equipment and essentials that work with a camera or are required for a camera to work better. Some of the camera essentials which a grip has to arrange are as follows.
- Tripod stands
- Static rigs
- Camera tracks
- Cranes
5. Personal assistant
The production assistant or PA is the person responsible for getting the set, cast, and all the below the line crew ready for the shoot. A production assistant will be the one conveying the orders of the producer or the director to the film crew. Depending upon the film’s budget, every department in the film will have a production assistant dealing with the crew involved in that department. Following are some of the types of production assistants for a film.
- Office production assistant
- Set production assistant
- Post-production, production assistant
6. Assistant director
An assistant director is also known as the second assistant. H/she is the person working closely with the director and ensuring his orders are met. Another role of the assistant director is to generate and maintain call sheets and resolve the disputes of the extras. Such duties of an assistant director keep the film production activities running. You can also acquire the services of film companies in Dubai to ensure your film’s productivity and progress are not affected.
Final thoughts!
Make sure you are hiring the right team and personnel to achieve your film goals. Both below the line and above the line crew is important for ensuring the success of your films. The film quality will be affected if the team members are not performing well, no matter how important they are. So, make sure you are hiring professionals of reputable and experienced production companies and make your films a big hit.
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