My name is Ben.  I was standing in for a character named Rich, played by an actor named Jason.

I worked in scenes with another stand-in named Erin.  She was standing in for a boy.  Her character was named Ben.

So, when I heard things like, “Move to your right, Ben,” I did not know if the camera crew was telling me to move or the other stand-in to move.  I would move or Erin would move, or sometimes both of us would move, when only one Ben was needed to move.  The experience was a touch flustering as the camera crew set up the shot.

In the same film, I worked in scenes with another stand-in whose character was named Jason.  While the issue never arose, it could have: “Move to your right, Jason” could have referred either to the other stand-in or to me (since my actor’s name was Jason).

Given this experience, I realized the value of having a unique nickname on hand for when your name matches another’s name when you’re standing in.

Struggling with Nicks and Names

On this particular project, the name problem was further compounded by having two other Bens who worked for the production.  I thought I might go by “Benjamin” … until the first production Ben introduced himself to me as “Benjamin.”  By this time, I just got used to the occasional confusion and didn’t come up with a nickname.  But, boy, would it have been helpful at the start if I came up with something?

Since my last name (Hauck) isn’t as easy to remember as my first name, using my last name as my nickname wasn’t a great option.  Perhaps I could have gone by (cringe) “Benji” or (uck) “Benny,” but these ideas (fortunately) didn’t come to me.

A nickname I figured would only be helpful if it a) were memorable, and b) were marketable.  That is, my nickname had more value if (hypothetically) someone could request me from casting by the name.  “Benji” meets a) but probably doesn’t meet b).  “Hauck” meets b) but probably doesn’t meet a).  Ah, the rub!

Finding a Nickname

You’re probably lucky if you have a unique nickname on hand.  If so, this might be a good time to whip it out or have it on the ready.

However, if you don’t have a nickname, now might be the chance to think of one.  Tomorrow, you might be on set with three stand-ins with your same name, in a scene in which one of the characters also has the same name!  (Imagine trying to block that scene–or don’t.)

In choosing a nickname, having it be marketable (i.e., related to your branding, i.e., related to your professional name) helps should the production want to bring you back, especially after some time has passed.  If production calls casting asking for “that Benji guy,” casting might not be able to figure out who you are to call you back in.  But if production calls asking for “that Hauck guy,” there’s a better chance of your being found and brought back.

Then again, it might not matter!  A funny situation, though, and one to think about if you have a common name.

What is some advice you have for choosing on-set nicknames?  Would it be better of a camera crew gave you a nickname?  Have you had any funny experiences with actor, stand-in, and character names on set?  If so, share below!

The label is a piece of equipment whose value you might feel inclined to diminish by wearing it in a non-obvious place. However, your label can be quite valuable to the rest of the crew when they’re trying to give you direction.  It is a good idea to respect the label when you are given it.

First off all, with your label, the crew will be able to distinguish for whom you’re standing in, especially when there’s nothing really obvious about your physical characteristics to determine for whom you’re standing in.  Second, the crew will be able to get your attention politely when they need you to reposition yourself during lighting and camera setups.

Most of the time, stand-ins wear the label like a nametag across the upper chest, on either the left or the right.  Whenever possible, I prefer to wear my label across the center of my upper chest.  I find it’s more practical to wear it there.  Across the center of my upper chest gives my label a slightly better chance of being seen on camera for the crew to notice, especially when I’m standing at an angle to the camera that would obscure the label if it were on one side or the other.

Obviously, you don’t want to do this if you are exposing skin on your upper chest, or if you are wearing a jacket that is partially unzipped.  And it is irrelevant if your first time standing in on a set is with your back to the camera (where your label is unseen).

Positioning the label on your clothes is not a big thing, only a small thing, but something that may make things a tiny bit more helpful for the rest of the crew during setups.

Do you wear your label in a specific way?  Any other pointers?  Comment below!