Second Team Stories

Jeff Woolf
  • 5.0 (1)
  • TV & Film
  • Biweekly

Second Team Stories goes behind the camera to spotlight the people who bring film and television to life but rarely get their names on the poster. Hosted by background casting director Jeff Woolf, the show features candid conversations with background actors, ADs, casting directors, stunt performers, filmmakers and crew about what really happens on set, the strange realities of working in entertainment, and the overlooked work that makes the worlds on screen feel real. Everybody knows the stars. Second Team Stories is about everybody else.

Episodes

  1. Oct 22

    Episode 6 | Bobby Ashley

    This week on Second Team Stories, I’m joined by Brooklyn-born writer, director, and producer Bobby Ashley, the creative mind behind The Ave and Single Man Problems. Bobby takes us behind the scenes of his journey as an independent filmmaker, from his experiences working in casting to the challenges of financing, producing, and bringing his own stories to life. We talk about the invaluable advice he received from Deniese Davis, producer of HBO’s Insecure, turning his own neighborhood into a film set, and what happens when your work starts reaching millions of people - including one clip that racked up an incredible 18.8 MILLION views! It’s a conversation about creativity, persistence, betting on yourself, and realizing that sometimes the only person standing between you and your next opportunity is you. Stop waiting for permission. Go make something happen.

  2. Oct 8

    Episode 5 | Teéa Loreál

    Some people wait for opportunity to knock. Teéa Loreál kicks the door open, introduces herself, and asks what time she’s needed on set. And when you hear her story, you’ll understand why. From arriving in New York with just $50 to building a career as a production assistant, background actor, stand-in, principal actor, and stunt performer, Teéa has experienced the entertainment industry from just about every angle. This week on Second Team Stories, she shares the unexpected moments, hard-earned lessons, and incredible experiences that shaped her journey. Including a snowstorm that changed the course of her career, watching Glenn Close work her magic, and discovering what it really takes to become a stunt performer. One of my favorite takeaways is how she describes the value of background and stand-in work: “I’m being paid to come to a master class. I’m not paying to go to a master class.” And she’s right. Where else can an aspiring actor get a front-row seat to watch some of the best in the business do what they do? Background and stand-in work offer a unique opportunity to learn the craft, understand how a professional set operates, and gain experience you simply can’t get in a classroom. It’s funny, informative, inspiring, and a reminder that the most interesting stories aren’t always happening in front of the camera. Watch the Full episode available on YouTube. #SecondTeamStories #GlennClose #BackgroundActing #StandIn #StuntPerformer

  3. Sep 24

    Episode 4 | Jesse Heiman

    You’ve seen Jesse Heiman before. You just might not know his name. With 150+ film and television credits across more than 25 years, Jesse has built one of the most unique careers in Hollywood and become one of the most recognizable background actors ever. On this episode of Second Team Stories, Jesse takes us from his early days trying to get experience on film sets to working regularly for five seasons on Chuck and becoming a familiar face across countless movies and television shows. Then a fan-made video dubbing him the “World’s Greatest Extra” went viral. After 11 years of background work, it helped Jesse accomplish one of the goals he set when he first moved to Los Angeles: appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. And somehow, his story gets even crazier. Jesse takes us behind the scenes of his unforgettable GoDaddy Super Bowl commercial with Bar Refaeli, starting with an audition that involved kissing a blow-up doll and ending with a commercial millions of people were talking about. We also talk about the reality of making a career out of background work, what he’s learned from more than two decades on set, why background actors are essential to creating the world you see on screen, and the advice he’d give anyone trying to make their way in the industry. 25+ years. 150+ credits. Five seasons on Chuck. A viral video. Jay Leno. And one VERY memorable Super Bowl commercial. This is the story of Jesse Heiman. 🎙️ Second Team Stories — Episode 4 🎧 Prefer to watch? Second Team Stories is also available on YouTube. #JesseHeiman #SecondTeamStories #BackgroundActor #WorldsGreatestExtra #Chuckt #GoDaddy

  4. Sep 10

    Episode 3 | Anastasia Folorunso

    In Episode 3 of Second Team Stories, I sit down with Assistant Director and filmmaker Anastasia Folorunso to break down the controlled chaos behind film and television production. Anastasia takes us inside the AD department, from working directly with background actors and bringing the director’s vision to life to solving the constant problems that come with keeping a set moving. But her story doesn’t stop on set. Anastasia also found a way to combine her filmmaking experience with her love of tennis, creating Offseason, a documentary series following rising American tennis players, and building Ground Pass, her tennis media platform and podcast. From managing film sets to carving out her own lane in the tennis world, this episode is about adapting, making things happen, and taking your career in directions you never expected. 🎙️ Second Team Stories — Episode 3: Anastasia Folorunso

  5. Sep 3

    Episode 2 | Rob Stats

    Rob Stats has spent nearly two decades working across background, stand-in, acting and stunt work, and he’s got the stories to prove it. In Episode 2 of Second Team Stories, Rob breaks down the dos and don’ts of background work, set etiquette, what makes a great stand-in, and the lessons he’s learned from years of watching incredible actors work up close. We also get into his stunt career, including his memorable role as the naked guy in Hustlers, and how he eventually became known throughout the New York stunt community as the go-to guy for nude stunts.

  6. Aug 20

    Episode 1- Eddie Griffith

    In the first episode of Second Team Stories, I sit down with Assistant Director and filmmaker Eddie Griffith to talk about the world of background acting, casting, and production from an AD’s perspective.Eddie shares his journey from starting as a PA to becoming an Assistant Director and filmmaker, what an AD actually does, how the AD and background casting departments work together, and why background actors play a bigger role in storytelling than many people realize.We also talk about his evolution as a filmmaker and the journey that took @baldyfilm all the way to Cannes.Plus, plenty of behind-the-scenes stories from years spent working on set.🎬 Second Team Stories shines a light on the people behind the scenes who help bring film and television to life.

  7. Aug 20

    Second Team Stories

    Second Team Stories goes behind the camera to spotlight the people who bring film and television to life but rarely get their names on the poster. Hosted by background casting director Jeff Woolf, the show features candid conversations with background actors, ADs, casting directors, stunt performers, filmmakers and crew about what really happens on set, the strange realities of working in entertainment, and the overlooked work that makes the worlds on screen feel real. Everybody knows the stars. Second Team Stories is about everybody else.

  • 7 Episodes

About

Second Team Stories goes behind the camera to spotlight the people who bring film and television to life but rarely get their names on the poster. Hosted by background casting director Jeff Woolf, the show features candid conversations with background actors, ADs, casting directors, stunt performers, filmmakers and crew about what really happens on set, the strange realities of working in entertainment, and the overlooked work that makes the worlds on screen feel real. Everybody knows the stars. Second Team Stories is about everybody else.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeff Woolf
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jeff Woolf
  • Show Website
    Second Team Stories