5 Tips On How You Can Get Stand-In Work As An Actor

Stand-Ins are an unsung part of a production crew. If you’ve ever been on set, they are usually seen and not heard, but they are an integral part of assisting the camera department (and other crew such as grips, electric, props, etc.) in prepping, blocking, and lighting a scene. They are also there to give actors a break between takes so they can change costumes, go to makeup, rehearse, or just rest.

For an actor, stand-in roles are one of the best ways to learn about on-camera work and the rigors of a professional set, without the pressures to deliver. But how do you get into stand-in work? It’s not something with much information widely available, and depending on where you live, the work could be union or non-union. Also, as the movie/TV credits roll, it’s rarely posted. To help you access these vital roles, here are five tips on how to get into stand-in work today.

The first step is acknowledging what “type” you are. Have you always been told you look like a certain actor or actors? Let’s start there. If you’re a dead ringer for a specific person, you could also be their photo double or stunt double (if qualified). Many actors keep the same stand-ins and take them along for the ride for many years. However, stand-in work is less about how much you look like someone versus the actor’s skin tone, height, and weight. To use me as…