Continuing a new feature of Stand-In Central, we’re wanting to hear your opinion on topics related to the job of the stand-in.

Here is our second debate topic.  Post your opinion in the comments section below, and reply to others’ opinions as they’re added.

We will moderate these comments so should your comment not post immediately, we hope to have it live in a few hours.  (Kindly keep the discussion civil, respectful, and mature.)

– The Editor

Most stand-ins go without credit for their work.  This reality is hard to understand given the central focus many stand-ins have in a production, and given that oftentimes stand-ins work more than some day-playing crew members who receive credit for their work.

For some people who stand in, it’s no big deal that they go without credit at the end of a TV show or film.  For other people whose careers are as a stand-in, recognition with credit for the work and time invested on a production is highly appreciated, especially for the purpose of professional résumé-building.

The names of crew members often appear in a document known as a crew list, yet stand-ins — who are classified as crew members — are rarely included in that list.  It would seem that in general stand-ins do not receive credit largely because they are usually cast by background casting, meaning they do not make it on this crew list but work amongst the many other uncredited workers on a production.

Other reasons stand-ins do not receive credit may be because they do not fall into a conventional production department, so when credit is given, stand-ins do not appear on any list of department members submitted for credit.

Of course, producers may choose not to award credit given that awarding credit is a power that producers have, but it seems that it’s more likely stand-in names aren’t submitted to producers when awarding credit rather than producers’ disparaging stand-ins’ contributions.

Of the credits I’ve seen awarded to stand-ins, their placement in the end credits is irregular. Stand-ins have been listed below cast members, below production assistants, or even separately.  Stand-ins could be seen as bunched with another department or even seen as their own department.

In light of the above: Where do you think the best place is in the end credits of a TV show or film to award credit for stand-ins?

We’d like to hear you debate where best to place credits for stand-ins. Post your comments below and check back to continue the discussion.