What second team actually does
After the blocking rehearsal, the script supervisor and 2nd AC have marked where the actors stand. The 1st AD calls "Second team in," and each stand-in takes the place of the actor they match. The DP and gaffer light them, the dolly grip rehearses the move, and the camera operator and 1st AC check focus marks on a real body. When the director asks to see a camera rehearsal, second team walks the blocking at speed.
Stand-ins watch the blocking rehearsal closely, often with the script supervisor's notes, because they need to hit the same marks and turn at the same beats. A good stand-in saves minutes on every setup.
Planning second team on paperwork
Stand-ins usually appear in the background section of the call sheet:
| Background / stand-ins | Call | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SI for Maya (5'6", brunette) | 6:45A | Wardrobe: dark top, jeans for color match |
| SI for Joe (6'1") | 9:30A | Matches Joe's first scene |
| Parking attendants (2) | 9:00A | Holding in lobby |
The stand-in's call time follows their actor's first scene, often a little ahead of the actor so lighting can start before first team has finished makeup. On shows that use background actor agreements, stand-ins are counted and paid under those rules, and they sign in on the background voucher system rather than the Exhibit G. Budget them from the day out of days for their matching actor.
Mistakes with second team
Wrong size or color. If Joe's stand-in is 5'9" and Joe is 6'1", the lighting and headroom shift when Joe arrives, and the tweak that follows costs the time the stand-in was meant to save. Clothing matters too: a stand-in in a white T-shirt for an actor in a navy jacket gives the DP bad information.
On a set without stand-ins, the temptation is to keep first team on set during lighting. That tires actors, runs their hours, and can put them in the heat of lamps for long stretches. Even using a PA as a stand-in is better.
"Second team" also shouldn't be confused with a second unit, which is a separate crew shooting different material. Stand-ins are cast through the extras casting director on most union shows.