What Is a Stand In on a Film or TV Set? An Honest Guide to the Role in New Zealand
- NZAT
- Jul 30
- 6 min read
Ever wondered why a film set can spend hours preparing a scene before the main actors even step in front of the camera? A big part of the answer is the stand in — and it's one of the most underrated, in-demand roles in the New Zealand screen industry.
It's not glamorous. You won't be on screen. But you'll be working closely with the director of photography, the camera crew, and the production team and you'll be paid to do it.
Here's everything you need to know about what a stand in actually does, what productions need from you, and whether it could be the right role for you.
So, What Is a Stand In?
A stand in is a person who substitutes for a principal actor during the technical preparation of a scene.
Before any take is filmed, the crew needs to set up lighting, position cameras, check focus, and rehearse camera movements. That process can take anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours. Keeping a lead actor standing under hot lights while all of that happens isn't practical — they need to rest, stay in character, work with their director, or simply not be exhausted before the cameras even roll.
That's where you come in. As a stand in, you take the actor's place in the scene so the technical crew can do their job. You stand where they'll stand, sit where they'll sit, move through the blocking as directed — and when everything is ready, the principal actor steps in, and you step back.
You are, in the most literal sense, essential to the production running on time.
Why Productions Need Stand Ins
Time is money on a film set — more so than almost anywhere else. Every hour of delay costs the production real money, and keeping the shoot on schedule is a constant challenge.
Stand ins solve a specific and critical problem: they protect the principal actor's energy and time while allowing the technical crew to prepare at full speed. Without stand ins, productions would either burn out their lead actors running endless technical rehearsals, or lose enormous amounts of time waiting to use the actor for every single setup.
On a professional production, every principal actor typically has their own dedicated stand in. That means a film or series with five lead characters needs five stand ins — often working the same hours as the lead cast, across the full duration of the shoot.
What Does the Role Actually Require?
This is where stand in work differs significantly from extra work. You're not just showing up and filling a background; you need to physically match the actor you're standing in for.
Productions look for:
Similar height — usually within about 2–3 cm of the principal actor
Similar build — body shape and proportions matter for lighting and framing
Similar skin tone and hair colour — lighting setups are calibrated to the actor's colouring; a significant mismatch makes the DP's job harder
Similar age range — not always exact, but the overall visual impression should be close
This doesn't mean you need to look identical to anyone. It means there are specific productions where your physical profile will be a match — and others where it won't. That's not personal, it's just the nature of the role.
Beyond the physical match, what productions value most in a stand in is professionalism and focus. You're working directly alongside the crew, not in a holding area. You need to pay attention, take direction accurately, hit your marks, and maintain positions sometimes for extended periods.
A stand in who's switched on and easy to work with gets booked again and again.
What Does a Typical Day Look Like?
You'll be on set, not in holding. Unlike extras, stand ins work directly in the shooting environment alongside the camera department, the gaffer (lighting), and the first assistant director. You're part of the working crew during setup.
The hours are long. Just like any film set role, a shooting day is typically 10–12 hours. Call times are confirmed the night before — you might be on set at 5:30am or 6am. Flexibility is essential.
You'll need to be focused and patient. A lot of stand in work involves holding a position while lights are tweaked, cameras are repositioned, and the DP checks monitors. You're not performing; you're being a precise, reliable physical reference point. That takes more concentration than it sounds.
You'll build real relationships on set. Because stand ins work closely with the crew across the full shoot, you often develop strong working relationships with the camera and lighting departments. That's good for your reputation and your future bookings.
Call times are confirmed the night before shooting. Not in advance. You need to be available and responsive.
Practical Things to Know Before You Apply
Do I need experience?
Not necessarily, but it helps. Stand in work is more technically involved than extra work, and productions prefer people who understand set etiquette and can follow direction without needing it explained multiple times. If you've done extra work before, that's a genuine advantage. If not, a calm, professional attitude goes a long way.
Do I need to match a specific actor?
Yes, but NZAT will match you to productions where your profile fits. You won't be asked to stand in for someone you're clearly not suited for physically. Your job is to give us an accurate profile (height, build, colouring) and let us find the right fit.
Do I need a car?
For stand in work, having transport is more important than for extra work. Stand ins are often needed on location, some of which are not serviced by public transport. If you don't drive, be honest about it upfront.
Do I work every day of a production?
If you're matched to a principal actor on a long shoot, you could be booked for days, weeks, or even months at a time. This is one of the more consistent sources of work in the industry for the right person. However, bookings vary; some productions only need a stand in for specific sequences.
What should I wear?
Production will usually advise you. In some cases you'll be asked to wear similar tones to the principal actor's costume for that day, so the lighting reads correctly. This will always be communicated to you through your agent before you arrive on set.
What Can I Expect to Earn?
Stand in work pays more than standard extra work, reflecting the greater responsibility and the more active role you play in the production day.
As a general guide:
Stand In: Roughly $350–$450 gross per day, depending on the production and your experience
As with all roles, talents are paid when production pays the agency. This can take 1–2 months from the shoot date. Plan accordingly.
Meal breaks are provided by production throughout the day.
Is This the Right Role for You?
Ask yourself honestly:
Are you physically similar to a lead actor type and can you describe your look accurately?
Can you stay focused and professional in a working crew environment all day?
Are you reliable, punctual, and responsive to short-notice call times?
Are you comfortable with long days and a role that stays behind the scenes?
Do you want consistent, relationship-based work rather than one-off bookings?
If yes to most of those, stand in work could be an excellent fit especially if you're looking for something more structured and ongoing than general extra work.
If you need guaranteed daily work from week one, or you're uncomfortable with the physical matching aspect of the role, this may not be the right starting point.
Why Register With NZAT?
NZ Action Talent (NZAT) represents performers across the full range of screen industry roles, including stand ins. When you register with us:
We match your profile to productions looking for your specific physical type
We handle your bookings, rates, and paperwork
You get access to productions across New Zealand — features, series, commercials, and international shoots
You're represented professionally, which means productions take your availability seriously
We're actively looking for new talent — people who are new to the industry and ready to learn. If you're already represented by another agency, we're not the right fit. But if you're starting fresh, we'd love to hear from you.
We welcome people of all ethnicities, all ages, and all looks. Our ability to match the right stand in to the right production depends entirely on how diverse and varied our talent pool is. The more range we have, the more work we can place.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If this sounds like something you want to explore, get in touch with NZAT. Send us your details, a recent photo, your location, your height and build, and tell us a bit about yourself. We'll let you know if there are productions that could be a match.
Share this with someone you think would be a great fit — someone who's tall, has a distinctive look, or just wants a real foothold in the New Zealand screen industry. Stand in work is one of the best-kept secrets in the industry. Now you know about it.
NZAT — New Zealand Acting Talent. Representing performers across Aotearoa.
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