It’s getting late in the daytime on set. Maybe there’s a slowdown in work for no obvious reason. Or maybe there’s suddenly an inexplicable rise in on-set activity.

You ask someone on set what’s going on.

The reply? “We’re waiting for Magic Hour to get the next shot.”

Or: “We’re waiting for the Golden Hour.”

Huh?

Here, we cover the meaning of the terms “Magid Hour” or “Golden Hour,” and how these times relate to your stand-in work.

The Meaning of “Magic Hour”/”Golden Hour”

Magic Hour (also known as Golden Hour) is usually sunset or sometimes sunrise. At this time, the lighting has a specific look to it that may be helpful for telling the story or lighting the shot.

The current Wikipedia entry explains a bit more:

In photography, the golden hour is the period of daytime shortly after sunrise or before sunset, during which daylight is redder and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky.

How This “Hour” Affects Your Stand-In Work

GoldenHour

The Sun during Magic Hour (aka Golden Hour)

Because the light characteristic of sunset or sunrise lasts for only a short time, time is of the essence. Scenes during this “hour” must be shot quickly and efficiently.

In coming up against the time as a stand-in, you should remain close to set and pay extra attention to what’s going on and the shot in case you are needed to step back in. While you are standing in, you look for you exit route so you can step off set as soon as your actor arrives, in case time is that essential.

The “Golden Hour” Is Not the Same as “Golden Time”!

“Golden Time” is a term referring to the time when SAG-AFTRA members start to earn their daily rate per hour. Golden Time is a special provision in some SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreements under which stand-ins work. Sixteen hours after SAG-AFTRA stand-ins’ call time, they receive their eight-hour rate for each hour beyond sixteen hours. (Meal times count!)

For example, if such a stand-in arrives at work at 6am, then sixteen hours later is 10pm. Starting at 10:01pm, per Golden Time, the stand-in starts to earn his/her daily rate per hour.

Obviously, “Golden Hour” is quite different! That’s a time of day for shooting; it’s not a contractual period when stand-ins are paid higher.

Have you worked during “Magic Hour” or “Golden Hour” conditions? What tips do you have for standing in then? Share your comments below!