A times, the demands of a family life and the demands of a screen life can be in direct conflict.  It takes a gameplan and support system to make it work.  Brandon Heath and his wife recently welcomed their first baby Tabby into the world.  Since Brandon works as a stand-in, I was curious to see how he managed his family life amidst his work demands.  I hope you find some of his insights helpful as you plan your family in light of the demands of standing in.

– The Editor

Brandon Heath

SIC: What’s your name and what do you do?

BH: My name is Brandon Heath and I am an actor! I also recently landed the gig of full-time dad!

SIC: Congratulations!  You also work as a stand-in.  On what project have you stood in the most?

BH: I was lucky enough to be hired as a full-time stand-in for the third season of Gossip Girl.

SIC: What has it been like to balance family life with your work as a stand-in?

BH: Itʼs a challenge. But what about our profession isnʼt? My wife and I are lucky that we have been able to switch back and forth as the primary care provider, giving us both the chance to keep our careers going. Planning is key.

SIC: What specific changes in your work life have you made in light of having a baby?

BH: Itʼs amazing the changes that come automatically when you become somebodyʼs parent. But learning to manage responsibilities was the big change. Before, I could simply fill my plate. With Tabby as part of our lives, every new opportunity needs to be considered.

SIC: Do you find that working as a stand-in conflicts with being a father?

BH: There are tradeoffs involved with being in this line of work. Itʼs tough being away from her on a 14+-hour shoot. However, somedays Iʼll only be needed for a single scene and have the rest of the day to spend with her. With every con there is usually a pro that keeps things on an even keel.

SIC: How does working as a stand-in complement your being a father?

BH: Working with so many different creative people is one of the best benefits of this job. Having the support of my peers has been instrumental to my work and my life outside of work. When Tabby was born, every member of the Gossip Girl crew wrote a personal piece of advice for me on a slip of paper. A gesture like that, where you can really see that everyone is supporting you, makes everything worth it.

SIC: Do you find it helpful to let casting know that you are a new father?

BH: No. Within 3 weeks of your due date? Definitely. I simply let casting know that I may have to run out one day in the next few weeks and to have a trusty rush call in mind in case that happened.  The background/stand-in PA and I had an entire plan worked up in the event that Tabby came while I was on set. Both crew and casting were wonderful about the situation and were glad I had set up a contingency plan.

SIC: If someone were a new parent like you and working in as a stand-in, how would you recommend their handling a baby crisis should it come up in the day?

BH: When you are expecting, and perhaps for the first 3 months after you bring her home, the world gives you a bit of a pass. Beyond that, once things have stabilized at home, you’re really not in a different situation than anybody else. Family emergencies happen, and from a work perspective, an emergency involving an infant is really no different than one involving your brother or your mother or any other family member. A family emergency can affect anybody and when one happens, you leave work. If one of your siblings had an emergency, you would leave set and go to them just the same.

SIC: Do you have advice for stand-ins taking on the new responsibility of becoming a parent?

BH: Yes! Start saving your money! When the time is appropriate, let your coworkers know you are expecting. And get ready for one of the most rewarding experiences in life.

SIC: Thanks for your perspective, Brandon!

BH: Thank you!