It is never too late to be replaced.

I've waited a little while on this post since productions are so careful with letting secrets out, but I thought I should share this.

I did a background gig the other day for a re-shoot.  The reason for the re-shoot?  The actor sucked.  The actor was so bad that they were re-shooting all of his scenes - without any of the other actors that were in them.  So basically we were recreating as best we could what they already had and using stand ins for the other actors while the person's replacement came in and performed the role.  So for all of you that were wondering you can be replaced not only after you get the role, but after you perform it too. 

Speaking of stand ins, I had a gig yesterday for Dancing with the Stars where I was a stand in for one of the contestants.  They didn't tell me which one since the list wasn't out yet.  I did get to sit/stand on the real set they are going to use though, so that was fun.  Plus I got to do the walk out and wave at the audience and answer questions from the judges.  It was good practice.  I've had people say to me that extra work isn't real acting, etc., but honestly you learn a ton doing it.  Plus just feeling comfortable on a stage or in front of the camera is incredibly important and not something you are going to pick up in a class room.  Not to mention learning how to behave on a set.  So any of you actors out there that want to do more than theater, I highly recommend spending some time doing extra work.  The experience will be invaluable.