Sometimes when you’re “sitting in” (standing in for your actor but sitting in a chair), your height in a chair might not match the actor’s height.
Christina George contributed an idea to Stand-In Central for adding height when you’re sitting down.
“When the DP needs me to sit a bit higher in a chair,” explains George, “all I do is sit on one of my feet. This usually adds the few needed inches to get my height to match my actor’s height.”
If this is uncomfortable for you to do, another solution for adding height when you’re sitting in is sitting on a pad or cushion. Usually the camera crew will request from props a cushion for you to sit on when they need a little more height from you. A cushion is not something that the stand-in requests unless sitting is uncomfortable for some reason.
Still another idea for adding height when you’re sitting is simply sitting up straight as opposed to slouching.
Got any other tips for adding height when you’re sitting in? Post ’em below!
Also, decreasing your height is sometimes necessary while standing in! You may find that you are the same height as the actor you are standing in for, but you may have a longer torso and shorter legs than the actor. Therefore, slouching in your seat would work for this situation.