2007-08-19 08:26:39 · 5 answers · asked by Hannah 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
A "standby" is like a "swing" for principal roles. So, a standby will go on if the pricipal actor isn't available, but they don't perform as part of the ensemble, whereas an understudy will.
A "swing", by the way, is an actor who will fill in for any member of the ensemble.They don't usually perform as part of the ensemble.
Swings and standby's are basically "on call" actors. Large productions usually have standby's in addition to understudies for their leads, because if you use a standby to fill in, you can keep your ensemble as it is. If you use an understudy, you then have to call in a swing to fill in their position as well.
2007-08-20 04:14:26 · answer #1 · answered by Ashley 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When someone is on standby it means they need to be ready to get on set as soon as possible when called this is normally a film term. An understudy prepares to go on for another actor if the original actor can't go on this is usually a theatre term.
A standin is someone who takes the place of an actor during set up so that camera and lights can be focused properly.
2007-08-19 09:47:56 · answer #2 · answered by DramaGuy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you are thinking of a stand in not a standby. Stand in is someone who helps mark the shots of the camera in a film. And understudy is someone who knows all the lines, blocking for a stage actor.
2007-08-19 14:00:42 · answer #3 · answered by mamabee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never really been aware of the term standby in Theatre, but it would amount to the same thing as understudy I would guess.
2007-08-19 08:41:44 · answer #4 · answered by Theatre Doc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are no "standby"s in theatre.
An "understudy" waits in the wings for the lead to die.
2007-08-19 17:02:34 · answer #5 · answered by d_cider1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋