Issue #199 – August 24, 2019 (5 Groups of On-Camera Performers)

The 5 Groups of On-Camera Performers
(c) Peter D. Marshall

Actors are not the only ones who “perfom” on camera. The following is a list of other on-camera talent you will deal with on most film productions. These 5 groups are not based just on Union descriptions, they are also based on my own experiences of how each group functions on a film set.

1. Actors

Here are eight categories of actors you could work with. By “categories” I mean how each group fits into the hierarchy and politics of this business because each group has a different share of the power on a set.

1. The legend (Jerry Lewis, Lauren Bacall, Tony Curtis)
2. The movie star (Tom Hanks, Robert DeNiro, Julia Roberts)
3. The television star (Carol Burnett, Jerry Seinfeld, Tim Allen)
4. The cross-over star (TV to Film) (George Clooney, Will Smith)
5. The cross-over star (Film to TV) (Judy Davis, Glenn Close)
6. The guest star (Brad Pitt on “Friends”, Sally Field on “ER”)
7. The principal actor (Larger speaking roles)
8. The day player (Smaller speaking roles)

2. Stunt Performers

Stunt Performers perform the harder and more dangerous action for movies and television. Here are the 3 basic categories they fall under:

1. Stunt actor (Plays a character – could have dialogue)
2. Stunt performer (Not a specific character – no dialogue)
3. Stunt double (Takes the place of actors for more dangerous stunts)

3. Background Performers

Background Performers are also known as Extras or Atmosphere. I have broken this group into 3 categories. (The last one is my own special category and they are paid the same as general extras.)

1. Special skills extras – They have a special skill or ability they have practiced and trained for. (Football players, scuba divers, ballroom dancers.)
2. General extras – These are the majority of extras on a film set. (Crowd on street, passengers on a plane, bar patrons, students in school hallway.)
3. “Uniformed” extras – They portray background characters the audience knows something about. (Police, waiters, nurses, military, firefighters.)

4. Actor Photo Doubles

 Photo Doubles “take the place of” an actor on camera where the actor’s face is not seen and they are matched for body size, skin color, hair and physical movement. They are used mostly for second units and splinter units (car drivebys etc.) and also used as body doubles for love scenes and nude scenes. They can also be used by the main unit if an actor is not available for wide shots or over shoulder shots etc.

5. Stand-Ins

Although Stand-ins (Second Team) are not technically “performers”, I have included them here because of the invaluable role they play on any film set.

Stand-ins are not hired to work for the actors, they are hired to work for the Director of Photography – to “stand in place of the actors” while the DOP lights them. The camera crew also uses Stand-ins for rehearsing camera movement and focus during the lighting process.

On larger movies, Stand-ins are picked by the DOP after the major cast has been chosen, although some big-name actors could have their own stand-ins they prefer the DOP to use.

TIP: On many low-budget productions producers often do not have the money for Stand-ins. But if they can budget for at least two experienced stand-ins, you will save some re-lighting time when the cast arrive back on set for the camera rehearsal – which means a few more camera set-ups for you during the day!

Copyright (c) 2019 Peter D. Marshall / All Rights Reserved