Nudity

I have never done nudity and I would only consider it if I really fell in love with the script.
It's really a personal thing, I know I would be very uncomfortable doing it and I'd probably cry! So I won't put myself in that situation unless I am passionate about the project and I feel my character/the film needs that particular scene.
I respect people who are happy doing it however.
We all need to do what feels right for us.

• 15 years ago
• 1

I do find it a slightly odd thing that so much fuss is made about nudity as a sort of prerequisite for the 'uninhibited' actor...it seems to me that it's worth appearing nude if the script calls for it in order to make either a necessarily symbolic or a needfully naturalistic point. But, realistically, how many times is someone nude in life? When they have a bath or shower, when they are in bed (sometimes), on holiday (maybe), in hospital, that's probably about it. Maybe in the past, a few would have gone nude in certain situations (battle, for instance) but not very many. I tend to think a lot of nudity gets thrown into drama for shock value, and shock value alone (either that, or sheer titillation), and, frankly, that's not a good enough justification for it in my book.

I have also argued that the attitude taken towards the issue of nudity does seem to vary depending on whether an actor is a man or a woman. I think by and large most male actors, if pushed, wouldn't have a massive problem with it. Most female actors have much bigger issues - and I understand this - there is a much greater fear of being manipulated as a sex object, and a general feel that privacy is being invaded. I would also hazard a guess that far larger numbers of male directors/producers see nudity as a 'necessary' element of 'cutting edge' work than female directors/producers do.

• 15 years ago
• 2

I think I may have posted what follows the last time the subject of nudity appeared, but nonetheless...

A friend of mine was approached by his agent saying he wanted to discuss a potential commercial casting. The commercial would have required him to be naked; the fee was £36,000. Did he, asked the agent, want to be submitted for it. Guess what my friend said...

• 15 years ago
• 3

I agree with Lee - mostly it is men who don't have a problem with nudity. What I wonder about is - are you asked to strip off at the audition? If so, definitely not for me. Open to all sorts of abuse. If not asked for at audition point, and the nude scene is such a major factor, how do they cast the right person?

• 15 years ago
• 4

I totally agree with you Lee, unfortunately, very often, the nudity is there for many reasons that have nothing to do with the story or the acting.
People who say that you are not a great actor if you don't do nudity because a great actor has no inhibitions, are just putting pressure on female to remove their clothes for the wrong reasons.
Last time I heard this argument, the director also told me that his wife understood that he needed to have a very close, special relationship with his lead actress, that it was necessary for the art of the film...
Needless to say I left and never came back. I later heard many horror stories about this director, my instinct was right unfortunately.
We women, in this industry, receive a lot of pressure to be used as sexual objects either for the pleasure of the audience or for the one of the director/crew.
I will not be part of that.
But if the nudity is part of a beautiful script and adds dimension to the film, then yes, I'll consider it.

As for theatre, it seems there is more and more nudity for the chock value, to make sure that they'll sell tickets. Again, these are the wrong reasons and it saddens me. What it does very often, is take away the quality of the piece and turn it into an attraction rather than a work of art. There are exceptions of course, but too often this is happening, a good play spoiled by the desire to make profits.

The funny thing is that the most successful films of all times contain no/very little nudity: Star Wars, ET, Aliens, Titanic, Harry Potter....and the list goes on.
And Julia Roberts, one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood has never taken her clothes off.

• 15 years ago
• 5

Christine - in relation to your query re stripping off at auditions, I believe that they can ask you but if they do there is meant to be an equity rep there to make sure it is all above board (forgive me if i'm wrong but I'm sure something like that was mentioned when I was training!). Can anyone confirm?

Re doing nudity, I don't have a problem with it if it is professionally done and necessary for the role. Definitely staying away from directors who want 'close relationships' though!!!

• 15 years ago
• 6

Well, I've been in a theatre with my legs akimbo and loads of strangers staring at my chuff.
Obviously, I was in a great deal of pain and I really didn't give a sh*t who saw my bits.
After bearing and feeding 2 children, I can't imagine anybody would want to see my body for titilating reasons.

So, yes, I probably would do a nude, because if anybody is willing to pay me to look at my stretch marked and sagging body, I would whoop for joy. lol

• 15 years ago
• 7

In my experience attitudes towards female nudity and male nudity are pretty different so this conversation is one thing in theroy, but another in practice.
I hope it doesn't make me a bad actor just becasue I wouldn't whip me togs off for all those student/unpaid films that seem to ask for it because... they can!

• 15 years ago
• 8

I've had two children, both occasions were pretty dramatic (ever the Diva eh??) and required at LEAST 8 different faces and 16 pairs of hands all over me,
sorry. Is this too much information?

Anyway long story short....all of that has made me pretty relaxed about who gets to look at my lady garden....but I wouldn't be making movies where *those" sorts of positions were required (then again, each to their own eh?)

But as I've had two kids...it's the audience I'd feel sorry for. I must look like the latest edition of the AA roadmap for all the stretch marks etc.

Best to you all, clothes on OR off
Andie x

• 15 years ago
• 9

Ahhh...Miss Tottie, yes, I thought I recognized you!

• 15 years ago
• 10

Do you know I have become muss less strict about it since seeing Eva Green in 'The Dreamers' After all, that was pretty explicit and it hasn't done her career any harm.
x

• 15 years ago
• 11

Wasn't Eva naked for more of the movie than she was clothed...or at least it seemed that way.

• 15 years ago
• 12

definately!!! it seemed like it.

• 15 years ago
• 13

Hi.

I dont think nudity is a big deal. I definately think women are more paranoid about it than men. I have just finished filming two feature films and had to shoot a 70s style glamour scene which was a bit unnatural! I was playing a girl who ends up becoming a prostitute and gets bumped off by the police because she has seen too much.
Going back to the nude scenes,I have a less than perfect size 14 figure so was not that confident. Got to work with Sean Bean so it wasnt too bad!

• 15 years ago
• 14

I think if Sean Bean was involved my clothes would just fall off automatically.
But seriously, the issue of nudity is very different when it's a well-paid professional production.
It just really annoys me when students ask for it, or you're expected to get naked for free when the script doesn't call for it - just for cheap thrills.

• 15 years ago
• 15

HELEN! :-I

• 15 years ago
• 16

Yes Mr Head?
It's true! I've been sent loads of scripts, not very well written ones often, where the female character spends alot of the piece in either provicative underwear or fully nude for no other reason than 'it'll probably be fun to look at a naked girl'! Often unpaid indie (young filmakers) or students. I wouldn't dream of doing it for that-they have the footage forever, to do with as they please.
If it's a good play, or a fully recognised professional film production company then of course my attitude would be different.
But does that make me a bad actor?!

• 15 years ago
• 17

no no. i was just commenting on your clothes falling off at the sight of Sean Bean. haha

• 15 years ago
• 18

yes, now that is a much more valid debate.
it's probably a good thing it's highly unlikely i'll get cast with him any time soon. that'd be embarrassing for all involved quite frankly!

• 15 years ago
• 19

Re Clair's posting and no nudity in successful films such as Star Wars, ET and Aliens. I venture to suggest that I don't recall Chewbacca, the ewoks, ET or the alien wearing a great deal of clothing! Just a thought.

• 15 years ago
• 20