I’ve stood in with actor Haley Zale for a couple seasons on Showtime’s Nurse Jackie.  As a stand-in, Haley demonstrates a lot of respect for the job, and I asked her what interesting take she might have on standing in for an interview for Stand-In Central.

Haley wanted to comment on standing in for actors who are dissimilar to herself, something she has intimate experience with.  Read the interview with Haley Zale below!

- The Editor

Haley Zale

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

HZ: My name is Haley Zale and I work as a stand-in when I’m not auditioning for acting roles.

SIC: Who are some of the actors for whom you’ve stood in?

HZ: I have regularly stood in for Merritt Wever for Seasons 3 and 4 of Nurse Jackie.  I’ve also stood in for Jill Flint on Royal Pains, Tiffani Thiessen on White Collar, and day-played for actors such as Julia Ormond, Jacqueline Laurita of The Real Housewives of New Jersey fame, Marian Seldes, Jaimie Alexander, and Eddie Shin.

SIC: Oftentimes a stand-in is similar in key ways to her first-team actor.  You, however, have had experiences being quite different from your first-team actor.  What are some ways you’ve been dissimilar to your first-team actor when you’ve stood in?

HZ: It hasn’t been unusual to stand in for a person that is very dissimilar to me.  The most extreme case was when I stood in for Eddie Shin on Royal Pains.  I was different both in gender and ethnicity.

Height, weight, hair and eye color have been different as well.  The majority of my stand-in experience has been for Merritt Wever, who is 3/4 of an inch shorter than me and has lighter brown hair.

SIC: When you have stood in for a dissimilar actor, did you compensate in any way to be more similar to your first-team actor?  How do you recommend compensating for differences?

HZ: When I stand in for a first-team actor who is dissimilar to me, there are certain aspects I’ve learned that I can’t control.  I can’t control my ethnicity or my gender or my height or my eye color or my skin tone.  But I can adjust a couple things.

If my first-team actor is taller than me, I can easily slip into a pair of high heels.  I have a stand-in bag with three different pairs of shoes, varying in heel size.  I have a pair of ballet flats, a pair of 1-inch heels, and a pair of 3-inch heels.  I’ve found that with this collection I can switch into shoes that better match the height of my first-team actor.

However, being taller than my first-team actor has proven to be trickier.  Bending my knees isn’t a feasible option.  Squatting for 45 minutes as the lighting is set is a thigh workout that will exhaust me for the rest of the day.  Slouching will sometimes work, although that can also be painful to the body.  I will use slouching sparingly, only when the camera operators or the director of photography are looking at the shot.

My favorite trick is to take a wider stance.  It’s a simple fix to shave off a half an inch or more, depending on how wide the stance.  And it’s a comfortable position to sustain for a 14 hour day!

SIC: For what characteristics do you find it most important to adjust?  For what characteristics do you find it less important to adjust?

HZ:I find it most important to adjust my height.  I’ve found it less important to adjust my hair, although it makes me more confident when standing in for someone who looks dissimilar to me.

I can make slight suggestions with my hair by copying the style of my first-team actor.  For example, when Merritt Wever’s hair is in a lower bun, I make sure my darker hair is in the same style.  When her hair is in ponytail, I do the same.  In order to keep my position as a stand-in, I feel that paying attention to detail and doing a good job are aspects that I can control.

SIC: Have you considered changing your everyday appearance in some way when you’ve regularly stood in for a dissimilar first-team actor?

HZ: I have considered lightening my hair to keep a 10-episode job as a stand-in.  But I didn’t do it.  I investigated using colored Halloween hair spray that washes out, but the yellow turned my hair greenish and looked too artificial.  No one asked me to lighten my hair.  It was an idea that I had based from my own insecurity.

Permanent color was not an option.  Coloring my hair would result in it being different than my natural color in my own actor headshots.  I wasn’t willing to re-market myself with lighter hair.

SIC: Sometimes being dissimilar to an actor can threaten a stand-in’s self-esteem on set.  How would you recommend someone deal with feeling different with her first-team actor, as opposed to having her same height, same hair color, or some other identical characteristic?

HZ: Remember one thing when you’re booked for stand-in work: You’re BOOKED! There is a reason they booked you.  Yes, you can easily be replaced with someone who is probably a better fit.  But being smart and paying attention to the character mannerisms and stances–and most importantly, blocking–will show your professionalism and help you keep your job.

SIC: Do you let differences in appearance keep you from submitting yourself as a candidate for an actor’s stand-in on a project?

HZ: Sometimes I let differences in my appearance to an actor inhibit me from submitting as her stand-in.  Usually I won’t submit for a blond actress.  But if there is a posting for a brunette who’s within an inch of my height, I will submit.

SIC: Do you have any advice for a stand-in looking for regular stand-in work but for an actor she doesn’t resemble?

HZ: My advice is to try it!  Being selected to stand in for someone is out of your control.  But what you can control on set is your behavior.  Do a good job listening for them to call “check the gate” before they ask for second team.  Be easily accessible and always let someone know if you step off the stage.  Doing these things will show your professionalism.  If there are ways you can wear your hair to resemble your first team actor, do it! Even if it’s not a flattering look or the way you usually wear your hair.  Once the DP and the director see your professionalism, they’ll invite you back to work again.  And soon it can turn into a regular stand-in gig!

SIC: Anything else, Haley?

HZ: Color cover and nametags have become my two best weapons.  I work on a TV show where a new director comes in every two weeks.  I make sure I have a new nametag with both mine and my first-team character’s names on it for the first few days with a new director.  I wear my name tag proudly!

Color cover serves as a bold statement that I am standing in for this actor.  She will wear pink in this scene, so I wear pink while standing in and during second-team rehearsals.  Even if the clothing that wardrobe gives me for color cover is too big, I still wear it with pride. I become associated with that color and associated with my first-team actor.

SIC: Haley, that’s a wrap on this interview!

HZ: Great!  See ya!

Haley Zale lives in New York City.  Her website is http://www.haleyzale.com.

This column stands for “Hair/Makeup/Wardrobe.”  These are preparations a first-team actor must go through before going on camera.

Associated with this column are times.  Commonly, an actor will report to work or be picked up, then immediately go through “HMW” (possibly after a rehearsal on set before the crew and stand-ins).  The next column usually is the “Set” column, which is an estimation of when the actor should be ready to work on set to shoot the scene.

The times in these columns aren’t that important for stand-ins, but they may be helpful to gauge how long a day will be.  If you’re standing in for an actor later in the day, the time listed in the “Set” column may give you a sense of what time the production is expecting to begin shooting your scene.  If you’re standing in earlier in the day and the crew will be moving onto another location without you, the “Set” column may help indicate by what time the production expects to wrap on your scene.

Do you find value in knowing the times listed under “HMW”?  If so, reply below!

Some actresses always wear their hair styled in the same exact way. But for other actresses, their hairstyles change depending on the scene. And you may stand in on a project for two or more actresses with different hair types and hairstyles!

On some sets, DPs and camera operators are not very strict about the appearance of the stand-in. But on other sets, they can be very particular about appearance–from color cover to high heels, hair color shades to hairstyles, etc.  While you may not feel that matching your hair is necessary for some sets, for the sets that are more meticulous about their stand-ins, it is best if you can imitate the hairstyle of the actress for lighting purposes and camera setups.

So what aspects of hairstyling should you consider while standing in day-to-day?

Note:
These tips are for working  day-to-day with your current hairstyle to imitate the style of the hair of the actress you will be standing in for. For more tips and information about changing your current style to match your hair to an actress for a stand-in gig, see ”Stand-in Hair for Women: Changing Your Hair for Stand-in Work.”

Hair Length

If the actress has short hair (above the chin as in a bob cut, pixie cut, etc.), hair length may be an important consideration when booking a stand-in.

If you have much longer hair than the actress you are standing in for, your hair length is something the DP will have to keep in mind when lighting you.  When you have long hair, the DP may look at how it falls across your shoulders, how far it falls down your back, etc. This can change how they set up the lighting, especially with lighter hair.

If casting got the OK to book you, then your hair length should not be an issue on set. Just make sure your pictures are up-to-date and you are not being booked off an old headshot when you had a much different hair style.

Bangs

Bangs can make a difference with lighting too. I stand in regularly for an actress who currently has long, sweeping bangs across her forehead. Last week on set, I heard the DP mention how he wanted a particular light set, saying it will look different on the actress compared to me because she has bangs and I do not. This was a difference between the hairstyles of the actress and me that the DP had to keep in mind; I have never been asked to cut my hair to match hers.

On the other hand, if you do have large bangs that cover most of your forehead, you may want to consider pinning them back or to the side if you are standing in for an actress without bangs.

Hair Framing Your Face

As I mentioned above, bangs can make a difference for lighting. The light interacts differently with hair than it does skin, whether it is bouncing off of it or absorbing it. So you should also think about how your hair frames your face compared to the hairstyle of the actress you are standing in for.

It may seem like an insignificant detail, but how your hair frames your face can make a difference if your hair is falling by the sides of your face or is pulled back away from your face.  On a long term stand-in job, I saw the DP repeatedly come up to another woman I was standing in with and tuck her hair back behind her ears. It was always done in a friendly manner, but it made me realize how much this small change you may not think matters can be important for lighting purposes.

Ponytails and Up-dos

You may arrive on set and find out that the actress you are standing in for that day will be wearing her hair pulled back or in an up-do. It is a good idea for you to pull your hair back too.  Your hair doesn’t have to look just like the actress’s, but it should mimic the general style of her up-do (pony tail high or low, bun high or low, or half-up half-down).

Also note if her hair is completely pulled away from her face and/or off of her neck. Keep a few hair elastics, bobby pins, and clips in your bag when you go to set so you’ll be ready for anything!

Do you have any thoughts on how your hair should be styled while standing in? Do you have any experiences or tips to share? If so, please comment below!

Women & Hairstyle

For women, the style or length of your hair compared to the actress isn’t always a major factor. You can have longer hair and get booked to stand in for someone with shorter hair and vice versa.  In my experience, I have found that films have stricter hair requirements for stand-ins than television projects.

Whatever the project, it’s important to be honest about how your hair currently looks. If you have recently changed your color, added highlights, or gotten a significant haircut, you should inform the casting director of this when you get called to stand in. If you don’t have professional pictures of you with your new hairstyle, you can take a candid digital photo to have ready to send out upon request.

Changing Your Hair for the Job

For particular jobs, you may be required to change your hair to match the actor you are standing in for. You will usually see this detailed in the casting notice, and the casting director should be able to give you more information about how the actress’s hair will be styled.

If the casting director didn’t mention that you should be willing to change your hair, then most likely it is not required. If it is required, you would be asked to cut and/or color your hair after chosen for the job, not for the interview.

Making the Decision to Change Your Hairstyle

Changing your hair for stand-in work can be a big decision. If you’re an actor, you have headshots that reflect your current image, and you will have to figure out how to work around that issue if your image changes.

If you are thinking about changing your hair for a stand-in job, here are some things to consider:

• How many days of work will this job give you?

When you get called for consideration for stand-in work, the casting director should be able to tell you how many days you would be working on the project.  A major character could work anywhere from 10 days to 40 or more days on a film. If you would only be working on the project for a shorter term, it may not be worth it to you to change your hair.

• Does it make sense financially to change your hair?

Find out if you would be responsible for covering the cost of changing your hair. A cut and color can be expensive for women, and it could be more expensive in the long run if you decide to change it back to your previous style. You can ask if there is someone in the hair department who would be willing to do it for you. This would save you money, and their stylists would know best about how your hair should look to match the principal actress.

• Will you have to cut your hair?

Figure out how much of a cut you would be comfortable with. Trimming your hair a few inches is a minor change, but a much shorter cut or bangs can change your look a lot, and it would take longer to grow back out to your previous style.

• Will you have to change the color?

Once you change your hair color more than a few shades, it’s not easy to change it back. It could take several appointments to gradually change your hair shade-by-shade to get it back to your previous color. It can also be damaging to the overall health of your hair.

• Are you willing to get new headshots taken?

If your look changes dramatically, you may need to consider taking new headshots to represent your new look. Even if you want to change back to your previous style, you may need a new picture to represent you while your hair is transitioning.

Finally: Ask Questions!

There can be a lot to think about when deciding to change your hair for stand-in work. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you need more details about how you would have to change it. You need to feel comfortable and confident that you are making the right decision. Good luck!

Do you have any comments about changing your hair for stand-in work? Please share below!

The reason in this film was that as the stand-in, I was also a potential photo-double for the principal actor.  While I thought my going out to get a haircut on my own was a professional thing to do (I was getting shaggy), I learned that the proper protocol would have been to check with the assistant directors first.  After my maintenance cut, I learned that they probably would have provided me a haircut if I needed one.  While it suddenly made sense after the fact, it never crossed my mind to ask production if they want to cut my hair.

When I get booked to day-play as a stand-in, oftentimes I will do a little research into the actor for whom I’m standing in to see what his hair is like.  Of course, I never really know what the actor will look like the day I show up, but I try to put my hair at least somewhat in the style of the actor’s hair as I generally understand it to be.  With my usual haircut, I have a nice amount of flexibility.  I can part it in different places.  I can wear it from conservative to bedhead.  I don’t want to show up with the bedhead look for a generally conservative-looking actor.  And I want to try to match the part the principal actor has in his hair in case it matters on camera.  I won’t go so far as to dye my hair overnight just to day-play, but I will usually make some effort toward wearing an appropriate hairstyle if I can find some information about it.

Recently for a stand-in submission I was asked if I would shave my head if I got the gig.  I thought about it for just a second, and said “Yes.”  The gig was going to last for a few months, so I thought I would make that drastic change for the work.  It surprised me just how much I would give for a stand-in job.

But that’s just how important hair can be in standing in.  If you are  a man booked on a long-term stand-in gig, getting your hair cut is one thing, but you might also be asked to dye your hair, wear a moustache or beard, or shave.  While not all productions are demanding about hairstyles, some can be for good reason.  These are just some things to consider when you are a man thinking about getting a haircut as a stand-in.

Any other tips on stand-in hair?  If so, please share in the comment section below!  (The plan is to have a column on stand-in hair for women in the future.  Check back!)