If a director asks if you believe in doing nude scenes, what should I say?

harmonica44 said:

I am auditioning for a movie and received an email asking if I would do nudity and sex scenes for a film. For me it would depend on the script and the material, but I don't want to say anything that will have them turn me down for a chance to be in the movie. What's the best thing to say? I read my audition lines and it does not give me any ideas on what the context of a sex scene would be in this plot, so I have no idea what the scenario would be.

What should I say?

Thanks.

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Do you believe it's OK to do nude scenes? YES, OR NO. It's really that simple. Either you have morals, or a price.

It's up to YOU on how you respond to a director asking you that question. However, I'd be sure and read your scripts carefully before audition for a part.

Cracker Funk said:

Boys have a penis, girls have a vagina, why is that such a big deal?

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQvnZOR_oIk


The first feature on which I worked had LOTS of female nudity. The protagonist was a male prostitute, or a call boy, or a gigolo, or whatever you want to call him, so he was completely nude as well, but the - ahem - important parts were in shadow or just below the frame line. Did there absolutely have to be nudity? Maybe not, but the film was gritty and it was right to have the nudity.

BTW, it's a pretty decent film.

Yeah, I'd just ask about it. No film maker is going to turn down a chance to talk about their project with an interested party.

Get the deals. Voice your concearns. Judge their reaction. Make a decision.

if anything - if I were you, and I took the scene, I would team up with the other actors involved, ask to see a shot list / storyboard ahead of time and raise issues, concearns, questions and demands far ahead of time.

You have the right to be involved in the scene since it's your face on the screen. If it doesn't abide by what you're comfortable with, politely back away from the project as soon as you can so they have time to replace you. It's not that difficult.


- Jow

Also - I don't think morals has anything to do with it. I have morals and would a do a nude scene for free if it was right within the project.

Granted, I'm art-minded by that. If it was gratuitous and needless and exploitation - then I'd most likely back out. If it drives the character's spine, relationships and plot - then yesI would take it.

- Jow

I'm slightly surprised by the reactions on here.

I think that male nudity ought to be encouraged. Almost all 'serious' actresses have appeared nude at one or more points during their career, and yet the same is not expected of me (except Harvey Keitel and Ewan McGregor).

Nudity is a natural part of life. If you are shooting an independent film that strives for accuracy, then people should be naked in the bath, they should be naked having sex, they should be naked whilst getting changed. Basically, they should be naked whenever people are actually naked. Striving for accuracy does not make something pornographic, in fact it's kind of the opposite.

What nick said ^^^

What bothers me all the time is actually in female nudity. After two characters have done the dirty and the woman pulls the blanket over her chest but the male doesn't. In my experience, there is no sudden "oh no, better not show more of my ta-ta's" thought. Most women hate their bras and enjoy free sailin it.

- Jow

Yeah I was watching Lethal Weapon 2 a while ago, and noticed how the woman's breasts were showing over the covers, and thought it was redundant. But maybe it's more realistic, since women like free sailing.

Well I told the director that it depends on the themes and contexts of the movie.

NickClapper said:

I'm slightly surprised by the reactions on here.

I think that male nudity ought to be encouraged. Almost all 'serious' actresses have appeared nude at one or more points during their career, and yet the same is not expected of me (except Harvey Keitel and Ewan McGregor).

Nudity is a natural part of life. If you are shooting an independent film that strives for accuracy, then people should be naked in the bath, they should be naked having sex, they should be naked whilst getting changed. Basically, they should be naked whenever people are actually naked. Striving for accuracy does not make something pornographic, in fact it's kind of the opposite.

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I agree with this statement completely.

In my film, there is both male and female full-frontal nudity, but not one naked person appears without a legitimate reason for being unclothed. Asides from the fact that I'm working on a werewolf film and the lycanthropes don't hide extra clothes all over the woods, I also don't believe that a man who just finished making love to his lady friend and has to jump out of bed for any reason would be wearing his tightie whities.

As a director, I made it very clear during the auditions that some roles involved nudity. I outlined the scenes in great detail to every person who inquired about it, and had serious discussions with the actors I cast prior to filming. (I also shot most of my nude scenes first, just to get them out of the way.) The most important thing was that the actors felt they could trust me.

Granted, I did go above and beyond a bit and did something that I wouldn't expect others to do... I appear nude as a werewolf victim in my own film. Although I absolutely hate being on camera, I did it to show that I won't ask an actor to do something that I wouldn't do myself. Many people on my cast and crew expressed to me that they thought it was very cool that I did that and how comfortable everyone was with my approach to nudity on set.

However, I have heard many horror stories from actors about directors/producers who are less than honest about nude/sex roles while auditioning. It didn't surprise me at all to learn that some actors vetted me, looked up my resume and asked around about my professionalism before auditioning for a nude role in my film. I would certainly recommend that to an actor who has any concerns about a project.

I beleive in nudity. But only when the right people get naked. I've seen stuff I never want to see again...