If you work regularly as a background actor, you know that you typically move when you hear “Background action!” called.  “Background action!” is usually called just before “Action!,” which is the cue for the principal actors to move.

Quite a number of stand-ins come to stand in by way of an upgrade on set.  When you come to stand in from the background acting world, you may find that you want to move when you hear “Background action!” called.  You might simply move as an automatic reflex when you hear the background cue.

However, if you’re involved in a camera rehearsal as a stand-in, you should not move on “Background action!”  Instead, you should move when “Action!” is called.

Timing

It’s understandable your desire to move when you hear “Background action!” called.  Yet, when you are standing in, remind yourself that you need to wait until “Action!” is called in order to move.

The point is quite important: Background activity may be timed off of your movement, and if you move on the wrong cue, you might throw off background timing.  Also, you might throw off camera timing if you move before your cue.

Timing is important when you’re standing in, so remind yourself of the proper cue when you’re standing in, especially if you’re coming to stand in from the world of background acting.

Have any other support for this important point?  If so, share below!