Stand-ins aren’t called “second team” without good reason.

Stand-ins many times function as a team when setting up shots. Two or more stand-ins have to work together during second-team rehearsals to recreate a scene for the cameras.

The teamwork among stand-ins becomes clear when one stand-in’s movements in a scene depend on the movements of another stand-in. For example, if you are supposed to follow another stand-in in a walk and talk, but if the other stand-in doesn’t lead, the second-team rehearsal could be a trainwreck and make you look bad, even though you know exactly what you should do.

My Main Pet Peeve

I’d admit that one of my pet peeves about other stand-ins is not being prepared to lead in a scene what that stand-in’s actor clearly leads.

I might know everything that goes on in a scene, but if the stand-in I’m supposed to follow has no clue what’s going on in a scene, it’s a hopeless cause for me.

Second team as a whole ends up looking bad, even though the fault primarily lies on one key stand-in.

Sometimes I guard against this tragedy by checking in with the other stand-in to make sure s/he are on the same page about what should happen in second-team rehearsal.

Ultimately, though, it’s not my job to tell the stand-in how to do his/her job.

Your Pet Peeves?

Other stand-ins do things that irritate you. What are some of those things?

While some of your pet peeves may simply be personal preferences, others surely could be informative for stand-ins who don’t understand the implications of their behavior on set.

Post your pet peeves about what other stand-ins do in the comments below!