Casting Director Renee Godbout explains how being a stand-in can help further your career

A stand in is an actor who is usually the same height, body type, hair color, ethnicity, and skin complexion as the principle actor they are standing in for. On all TV and movie sets, principle actors are given a stand-in.

The reason they must be so closely related physically is because it is the stand-in's job to go through blocking with the lighting and sound teams. That way the principle actor can wait off-set in his/her dressing room running through lines, relaxing, or getting hair/make-up touched up. It's important to have a stand-in that listens carefully, follows blocking, and stays close to set for whenever they are needed.

TV shows sometimes prefer to have actors that are good stand-ins over actors that look like who they are standing in for. On Law & Order: Criminal Intent they have the same actor stand in for both Vincent D'Onofrio and Chris Noth, and he doesn't look like either of them. But he's a good stand-in and that's more important to them on a daily basis.

Sometimes actors will develop relationships with their stand-ins, often requesting them on other films or TV shows. It's in many actors' contracts that they have approval over who is used as their stand-in. Somtimes a production will want to go in one direction with a stand-in, and the actor will step in and insist on using the person they want.Stand-ins also become a part of the crew, working every day side by side. They're included in wrap gifts and parties. Since I'm not on set very often, the stand-ins actually know more of the crew than I do.

Once I work with a good stand-in, I try to find other opportunities for them in my new projects. The old saying is true: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Renee Godbout - Freelance Casting Director. Renee Godbout recently worked on the first season of The CW's popular teen show Gossip Girl at Grant Wilfey Casting. Some past projects include 2 seasons of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, the pilot for Dirty Sexy Money, and the upcoming Jonathan Demme-directed Dancing with Shiva.