Are Stand-In Jobs Worth It for Actors? | Set Experience, Networking & Career Advice

🎬 Are stand-in jobs worth it for actors? Deaton Gabbard and Brandon Wall break down their real experiences working as stand-ins on film and television sets, including what the job actually involves, the networking opportunities it can create, and whether stand-in work is still worth pursuing as you progress in your acting career. From standing in for major actors like Mel Gibson, Garrett Hedlund, Ryan Hurst and Jonathon Sadowski to reading scenes with actors on set, the conversation covers what actors can actually learn from being on set—and why the value of stand-in work can depend heavily on where you are in your career. They also talk about the differences between stand-in work and background acting, learning set terminology, working with directors and DPs, making connections, auditioning while you're on set, and why getting experience behind the scenes can give newer actors a major advantage. Whether you're a new actor trying to get your first real experience on a film set or a working actor deciding which opportunities are worth your time, there's plenty here to consider. 🎙️ Season 3 | Episode 4 Podcast of Traveling Actors features conversations with working actors, filmmakers, casting professionals, and other entertainment industry guests about acting, auditions, filmmaking, mental health, and building a sustainable career in film and television. 00:00 Intro 01:50 Talking Movies, TV & Different Storytelling Styles 04:48 Why We're Talking About Stand-In Work 06:07 What Is a Stand-In Actor? 07:02 How Stand-Ins Work With Major Actors 08:22 Is Stand-In Work Worth It for Actors? 09:37 The Networking Opportunities on Set 10:23 Auditioning While Working as a Stand-In 12:08 Reading Scenes With Actors on Set 13:13 Does Stand-In Work Help Your Acting Career? 14:30 When Stand-Ins Shouldn't Act Out the Scene 15:32 Working as a PA & Finding Unexpected Opportunities 18:08 Working With Famous Actors on Set 20:07 The Reality of Working on Different Sets 21:57 Should Actors Try Stand-In Work? 22:05 Why New Actors Should Start With Background 22:24 Learning Film Set Terminology & Set Etiquette 24:51 Why Set Experience Matters 25:10 Final Thoughts & Advice for Actors 25:24 Subscribe & Follow Podcast of Traveling Actors In this episode: • What a stand-in actor actually does on a film set • Deaton and Brandon's experiences working as stand-ins • Standing in for major actors and working on Run of Show productions • The networking opportunities that come from stand-in work • Reading scenes with actors while working as a stand-in • How stand-in work can help actors learn set terminology and etiquette • Stand-in work vs. background acting • Why stand-in opportunities can be more valuable at certain points in your acting career • How actors can audition while working on set • The importance of learning how a film set operates • Getting experience as a PA and learning the production side of filmmaking • Why actors should consider background work when they're new to the industry • The pros and cons of stand-in work for working actors • Why you should make sure you're doing stand-in work for the right reasons If you enjoy the episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share! Follow the Podcast on Facebook: / podcastoftravelingactors 🎧 Listen on your favorite platform: 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🎵 Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/prof... Follow Deaton: / deaton.gabbard Instagram and Tik Tok: @deatonegabbard Follow Brandon: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... Instagram: @b_wall93 Tik Tok: @brandonjameswall4 Business & Guest Inquiries podcastoftravelingactors@gmail.com Credits: Podcast of Traveling Actors is co-hosted and produced by Deaton Gabbard & Brandon Wall. Studio setup provided by OHD Studios in Louisville, Kentucky. In-studio recording, post-production color grading, and audio mixing by Tommy Shafer. Thank you for watching! If you enjoy the episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share! Follow the Podcast on Facebook: / podcastoftravelingactors 🎧 Listen on your favorite platform: 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🎵 Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/prof... Follow Deaton: / deaton.gabbard Instagram and Tik Tok: @deatonegabbard Follow Brandon: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... Instagram: @b_wall93 Tik Tok: @brandonjameswall4 Follow Sarah: Instagram: @saraheast67 Tik Tok: goforsarah The Audition Room: Instagram: @auditionroom502 https://www.auditionroom502.com/ Business & Guest Inquiries podcastoftravelingactors@gmail.com Credits: Podcast of Traveling Actors is co-hosted and produced by Deaton Gabbard & Brandon Wall. Studio setup provided by OHD Studios in Louisville, Kentucky. In-studio recording, post-production color grading, and audio mixing by Tommy Shafer. Thank you for watching!