being a stand in - arvold

Casting director/producer Erica Arvold, CSA, and casting director Anne Chapman give their two cents.
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Producer: Amy Quick
Cinematographer & editor: Daniel Vorlet
Music Courtesy of Abel Okugawa Music LLC
Composed by Abel Okugawa
www.abelokugawa.com

[@heatherhammerich-taylor1575]

I started my acting dream in background and extra roles. This was suggested to me by fellow actors in acting classes as a way to gain knowledge and experience on set. I can’t thank them enough for this tip. Although classes and workshops are essential, being on set on various types of projects helps bring it all together for me. I was able to personally use the skills I learned as well as observe seasoned actors in their element and zone. It has been a fantastic learning experience. Starting from the “bottom” is generally how most careers work. It allows you time to learn and develop while working and observing. I honestly have a hard time letting this part of acting development go because I genuinely love being on set and miss it so much when I haven’t been there for awhile. I want to be there. Just being in that environment is so often such a boost to my motivation. I can honestly say that I have learned something to apply as an actor from every set I have been on and I’m thankful for the opportunity to be apart of the projects I’ve been apart of. We are all continually learning as human beings (or at least we should be). I feel I’m absolutely ready for the next steps in my career but I am sure almost every single day spent on set as an extra, photo double, or stand in has been very beneficial to me as an actor. I am thankful for every opportunity I was given. Skills developed, + knowledge gained, + relationships made = absolutely priceless. Good luck friends! And good luck to myself as well! :)

[@zelpynspeed]

Word up, good luck

[@Steve-qn1lj]

I was Walton Goggin's stand in on HBO's Vice Principals. I read lines with him all the time. What an experience and he is truly an awesome guy!

[@VYVEVideography]

Putting the stand in as skill is great advise

[@JLmusic4]

Sets that I've been on have considered stand-ins and photo-doubles as separate from extras/background and have considered them crew (I'd rather be a SI or PD than BG, but I've turned down a long-term SI work for principal work)

[@JayneNicoletti]

I was paid very well for PD since I matched rare measurements exactly and treated like a principle. My male counterpart got to read lines with major star for reshoot scene for the star having a convo. You never know!!

[@jackiesass4140]

Such great insight! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.💚

[@brittanycarr9]

This was so helpful, thank you!!!

[@MrKingCart3r]

I have a ton of standing experience and I've been standing in on the Starz Power tv show for three seasons now could I list it under training on my resume?

[@saro2899]

King Carter that’s my favourite show dude that’s awesome

[@qb_here3412]

Questions. Are CDs apart of negotiating contracts and rates? What are reasonable requests for more dough(ca$h)? How do you properly maneuver the experience?

[@zelpynspeed]

Completely unhelpful. I was hoping to hear some tips on how to be a good stand-in. But all i got was, "your career is over if you do too much background and stand-in". (Paraphrasing) gross