21st
Tales from JERICHO SEASON 2’s Second Team
I guess I will start with my name, John A. Dalton. I am a “Stand-in” or “Second Teamer” on JERICHO (both seasons.) What is a “Stand-in” and what do you do; you may ask, like my family? A “Stand-in” is basically an understudy for the Actors. Whenever an actor is unavailable and they are needed on set, a stand-in fills in for them. This is mostly for lighting and camera blocking but often we read off-camera lines, give eye lines for the Actor, and read-thru scenes with Actors before they shoot their scenes. Doesn’t sound like much, does it? But we must watch rehearsals and actual takes (shooting) to see what the actor does and then re-create the scenes for the lighting crew, grips, and cameras; while the main actors are doing interviews, discussing the scene with writers/producers, getting make-up and hair retouches, or even getting into wardrobe.
How did I get this job? Or how do most stand-ins get this job? Most of us, and there are roughly 6 regular stand-ins on Jericho, are frustrated actors, directors, writers or stunt people. I am one of the actors. I have a BFA and a Post-Graduate degree in Acting. I have been working in TV, Film, and Theater since 1989, living and working in Florida, Iowa, New York, Chicago, St. Louis, and LA. I moved to NYC after graduating school and lived there for 9 years. While in New York I continued studying and worked on soap operas, did a feature film and some modeling. In 1998 I moved to Chicago where I had a successful commercial and theater career before moving to LA on Sept. 10th 2001. Since moving to LA, I have been working on some independent films, produced a cooking show, hosted a game show and cooking series. Most of the time stand-ins or second teamer’s get their jobs through Central Casting. Central Casting is the BIG casting company that supplies most TV series and Movies with their background artists (also known as atmosphere or extras). Everyday that I work I have received a call from Central Casting that tells me the scheduled start times, and where to report. We make a base salary, for 8 hours, of $145 a day and are in the Screen Actors Guild. But most days we work for 10-14 hours.
How did I end up working on JERICHO? I had met Skeet through a mutual friend right before he shot the pilot. When he returned from the shoot he and I were talking one day and found out we were both golfers. He is self-taught! And I have played since childhood, golfing runs in my blood. We started playing often… I have to say he usually beats me even though I have played my entire life! We played almost every day the summer before JERICHO’s first season. When shooting began on season one I was lucky enough to get a stand-in job. I worked about 2-3 times an episode the first season and this season I am in everyday for almost every hour. The first season I was the 3rd male utility stand-in; which means I was used for any male character when there were more than 3 male actors in the scene. This year, the second season, I am designated Skeet’s/Jake’s stand-in, so I mainly just stand-in for him; unless he is not in the scene, in which case, I then fill in for other actors in the scene. It has been the best scenario for me. I get to work with my friend AND I also get to watch a very talented performer make interesting choices.
