Some things about stand-ins in TV and film are lesser known — things since 2010 we haven’t even covered on Stand-In Central!

Here is an entry in a new series on Stand-In Central covering lesser-known factoids about stand-ins. Enjoy.

— The Editor

On many union TV and film jobs, stand-ins are a kind of background actor. Indeed, under many of these jobs’ contracts (though not all!), stand-ins are defined as a kind of background actor.

When crew and background actors break for lunch at the same time, and when they take lunch from the same place, background actors usually have to wait for the last crew member to get into line. This crew person is usually called “last man.”  A production assistant often hovers at or near the end of the crew line to observe or inquire about whether all people in a department or on a crew are getting lunch and in line.

After “last man” is in line, background actors usually can get in line. First, union background actors get in line, followed by non-union background actors.

However, in the context of lunch, stand-ins are considered “crew.” So, usually, when lunch is called, stand-ins get in line along with crew rather than with background actors.

Although the history of the privilege is unclear, the logic generally is explained that stand-ins should get in line with the crew because they work with the crew, quite possibly right after lunch, and so they should get in line with them as not to delay or shorten their lunch.

If that logic is true, it strangely applies also to stand-ins who are not working before or after lunch — meaning, they too get in line when lunch is called.

Effectively, stand-in work often brings with it the privilege of eating lunch when lunch is called, rather than having to wait for all crew to get into line before them.

What other lesser-known stand-in factoids can you think of? Post your thoughts in the comments box below!