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Standing In

© Eric Prescott

A stand-in is considered part of the 2nd team, which moves in when the performers (1st team) step off set, so that the filmmakers can set up the shots while the actors are being dressed, made up, run their lines, etc. A stand-in literally stands in the place of the actor so that the set can be properly lit and configured for the best possible shot. Working closely with the assistant director (the AD, who runs the set) for cues as to when to come on and off the set, and the director of photography (DP, or cinematographer), for where to stand and look so that he can light for the actors while they’re away, a stand-in is a vital part of keeping the production moving smoothly forward. Without a stand-in for the actors, the DP has a very poor idea of how best to light a scene, especially with more complicated shots.

A stand-in must be a union actor, and the work mainly comes through extras casting agencies, such as Central Casting, for which you can usually register for a nominal database photo fee.

The Booking

After a casting director workshop with Brett Benner (Romano/Benner Casting -- “Scrubs,” “Three Sisters”), I turn my cell phone back on and find two voicemails. One is from my commercial agent for a Macy’s commercial audition and the other is a booking through Extras Management as a stand-in on a film called “Wheelmen.”

Now, it’s been quiet in the acting world for a little while, and here I get two messages in the space of two hours that create conflicts for tomorrow. Great. I can’t turn down the stand-in work because a) it pays and b) when you work with an extras booking agency, they simply book you on the job and you’re committed to work. I couldn’t have reached them to tell them I was unavailable tomorrow due to the commercial audition because my phone was off for two hours and both messages came through in that time. Oops. Still, I’m glad for the work, which I would have missed out on if I had been unreachable. In fact, the work came through an extras casting office that I am not even registered with, Bill Dance. It’s why I pay my monthly fee to Extras Management. Not only do they handle my bookings, they send my photos out on a CD-ROM to all the major extras casting offices in town, exposing me to more people than I have time to reach on my own. I don’t want to do much extra work, because I’m trying to establish myself as a co-star and don’t want to hurt that, but I’ll take it occasionally on the right show (my back appeared on the West Wing’s premiere), and I don’t mind doing stand-in work for now.

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