standin

Stand-in is a person or thing that temporarily takes the place of another. In entertainment production, a stand-in is a dedicated performer who resembles the principal actor in height, build, and general appearance. The stand-in's primary role is to facilitate lighting, camera placement, and shot blocking while the actor is not yet on set, or is between takes. They may also stand in for stunts or for long shots that require precise positioning, but they do not perform the actor's dialogue or character actions.

In film and television, stand-ins are typically used during setup phases and rehearsals to save time. They are usually paid at a standard rate for stand-in work and are released when the principal talent arrives. The practice is distinct from stunt doubles or body doubles, who perform specific scenes requiring the actor's body or skills, often including action or intimate moments.

In theatre, the term stand-in is less common; an understudy or alternate usually fills in for an actor during performances, while a stand-in may be used for rehearsal purposes or when a quick visual substitution is needed on stage.

Outside production, the concept appears in photography and advertising as stand-in models or placeholders for lighting tests or layout planning. In modern CGI and postproduction, digital stand-ins or reference models are used to plan scenes before the final talent is captured.