Casting the Perfect Stand-In for This Is Book Club – A Success Story
You may remember us posting casting calls galore recently, looking for a very specific type for the short film This Is Book Club.
We were on the hunt for someone with a certain height, weight, and—most importantly—short curly hair.
The goal? To find a stand-in who would match Robyn Okrant, the director, writer and lead actor of the project.
As usual, our team at Aura Casting went into full gear, scouring our database, reaching out to talent, and even taking to social media to find the perfect match. After much searching, we proudly presented our top 10 options to the creative team.
And guess what? The team chose Reina!
Reina’s strong physical resemblance was the key to her selection. Her ability to perfectly match the look of the director was exactly what This Is Book Club needed. In fact, her role as a stand-in was primarily to be present with the back of her head in the frame—something that might sound simple, but as any filmmaker knows, finding someone who matches the physicality of the lead is critical for continuity.
What Does a Stand-In Do on a Film Set?
While stand-ins don’t always appear on screen, they play an essential behind-the-scenes role in filmmaking. Typically, a stand-in’s job is to take the place of the lead actor during technical aspects of filming, such as lighting setups, camera movements, and rehearsals.
By using a stand-in, the director and crew can ensure that all the technical elements are in place before the actual actor steps into the frame. This allows the lighting and camera angles to be perfect, while also giving the lead actor a break from being on set while those technical details are worked out.
In This Is Book Club, Reina actually did get to step onto screen when Robyn needed to step out of frame to direct the scene! So while most stand ins may not be seen in the final product, we’re super excited to potentially see Reina’s stand in debut. We couldn’t have been more thrilled to work on this one and we’re ready to see This Is Book Club make its way to film festivals.
At Aura Casting, we specialize in finding the perfect match for your needs, ensuring that your creative team’s vision is brought to life flawlessly. Whether you need one stand-in with a precise physical resemblance or a crowd of extras to fill out your background, we’ve got you covered.