During the production of a film or television show, a stand-in is a person who temporarily replaces an actor. One of the main purposes of stand-ins is to take an actor’s place during a part of the production that only requires the actor’s physical presence, such as setting up proper lighting or determining where the actor should be positioned in each scene. When an actor is unavailable, a temporary replacement allows the actor to take breaks or assists the production crew in setting up scenes.
One of the most important requirements for a stand-in is that they have similar physical characteristics to the actor they are replacing. The two people should be about the same height so that the cameras can be properly positioned to ensure that the actor is properly lined up in the camera view. The actor’s temporary replacement may also be required to have matching hair color and other physical features so that the producers can more vividly imagine how the real scene will look, as well as adjust any lighting that clashes with or is otherwise unflattering to the star’s coloring. If the actor has fair hair, for example, using a stand-in with similar hair can help ensure that the lighting does not wash out the actor during the scene.
A stand-in may also assist with other duties associated with producing the film or television show, depending on the size of the production team. This could include assisting with the setup of scenery or other props, as well as assisting with lighting placement. Stand-ins may also test audio equipment so that by the time the actors are ready to film their scenes, all microphones and other sound equipment are in working order.
Although stand-ins are rarely hired to perform acting dialogue, they may occasionally take part in script readings during rehearsals. This is more likely if the actors are well-known and are unable or unwilling to attend. A stand-in may act in scenes alongside the other hired actors to ensure that they have the material memorized and are not slowed down by the absence of another actor.
A person must usually apply for work as a stand-in through the same casting agency that selected the actors for the film or television production. One of the most important requirements for the job is the ability to carefully follow instructions and remain alert at all times. Producers are frequently on a tight schedule and must complete all preproduction tasks as quickly as possible, and inattentive stand-ins may cause the process to slow down.