Below the Line [Paperback]

For anyone in the industry who thinks the stories in Below the Line are unbelievable and absurd, think again. -- The Calgary Herald

The novel's details are unerringly true, especially in describing the cultural distinctions between Canada and Hollywood. -- The Winnipeg Free Press

Admit it. When there's a film shooting in the neighbourhood, we all slow down to get a closer look, secretly hoping to catch a glimpse of a real live movie star. But who are all those other people bustling about the set with cables and lights and power tools? They're the Canadian crewmembers: the location scouts, caterers, make-up artists, grips, gaffers, and armies of assistants. These are the folks who bring the stars their breakfast, park the trucks, and paint the set the director's latest favourite shade. On budget sheets and cost reports they are known as the crewmembers "below the line." Inspired by their own experiences in film, authors John McFetridge and Scott Albert have created an authentic backdrop for their novel, with script pages, call sheets, and camera reports, giving the reader a complete behind-the-scenes experience.

John and Scott have worked as location managers, transport drivers, production assistants, and assistant directors on both Canadian and American films in Toronto. They are also the proud co-authors of Hunt for the Devil, a schlocky B-movie starring Michael Madsen from Reservoir Dogs and Species, which was filmed in Europe in the summer of 2003.