Sex scenes

well i suppose the hardest part is being naked, not in front of the camera, but in front of the crew and in close proximity to the other actor/actress


everything else you can just go off experience surely. I havent done a sex scene yet, but i suppose the nudity would be the main thing that would make it difficult for me.

• 16 years ago
• 1

Not sure I agree with Nathan totally on this one - I don't think being naked on camera (if that's what they are looking for) is that much of a problem - especially if you've signed up knowing you're going to do it.

What is tricky with any intimate scene (and sex scenes are the most intimate of all) is knowing how to react with respect to the other person involved. I have no idea how 'in - depth' your scene will get, and whether they will be expecting everyone involved to be pretty much naked. The best thing is to make sure that you have a good common bond with your fellow performer before you film it. Chances are that they will be as uncertain (in their own way) about the set - up as you are, and finding time to talk to one another about it will reassure everybody. If you have to be naked in front of one another, it may be better to take an earlier opportunity to allow you to see yourselves naked in front of one another if possible, so you are not caught off guard when the cameras roll.

Pressure may be taken off if you spend time 'rehearsing' what you are going to do movement wise with your partner, as you would rehearse any scene - although you want to avoid losing spotaneity (what is more spontaneous than sex, after all?), knowing where your hands are going next etc. damps down a lot of the fear (even arousal!) you might otherwise have. Also, not taking things especially seriously breaks the ice well, particularly after an intense take. It brings you closer together (which is what you need to make relations look convincing), while at the same time, helping you distance this encounter from something that is genuinely rooted in sexual attraction.

Obviously, some might say that having all sorts of camera people etc. clustered around you while you act 'doing the deed' would be particularly offputting, but I would say, no more so, really, then for any other piece of business that you film. If you are focused in on what you are doing, you don't have to be unduly aware of them.

I think it's quite easy for people to pontificate about doing intimate scenes and sex scenes and, say, hell, you're an actor, you can just pretend, and not worry about the situation. In actual fact, these scenes represent moments when we may be at our most vulnerable, and our natural instincts are bound to kick in to some extent. So, what is needed, maybe more than ever, is adherence to good technique, focus, and respect for your partner in the scene.

Keep confident and focused and you should do fine.

Lee.

• 16 years ago
• 2

Hi,
I've never done a sex scene on film. But I recently had to do a sex scene in a play which was quite full on, and although there was no nudity in the scene it involved a father and daughter so was obviously quite shocking. I think it was probably harder than doing it on film would be, but who knows! I think the main thing is to really have a very frank conversation with the other person you are doing the scene with, so that you are both very comfortable with what's involved and that also makes rehearsals a lot easyer.
I think also a good scense of humor helps! When it comes to getting aroused,
and for a man this is obviously slightly more noticeable than it is in a woman, this is where talikng about it before hand helps a bit, and can save some embarisment. In my case the lady in question said she would be rather disapointed if i didn't show some signs of enjoying it. But I guess this is a grey area and everyone is different so best to have a good chat and a laugh before hand....And hopefully that will make the experience a painless one that you can both enjoy and have a good laugh about, whilst also getting on with the serious job at hand.
Good luck with it all.

• 16 years ago
• 3

I take it is only a small part?

:)

• 16 years ago
• 4

Dear Mr. Hurst,

It's what you do with it that counts.

Yours sincerely,

Etc. Etc.

;)

• 16 years ago
• 5

I think I asked for that...!

;)

• 16 years ago
• 6

I had a tour last year where I had an intimate musical theatre scene with my partner and its not easy- even if you do get on.

And for arousal for men... you would not be human if you did not respond slightly. Dont stress about it, but just try to have a sense of humour- the more yu stress, the worse it will all be....

and I doubt you will be naked- probably she will be topless and you with a g string, with a few shots of your butt and hers- or interchange that of its a gay sex scene.

• 16 years ago
• 7

I had to do a naked love scene in Beauty's Ruin, thankfully Stephanie Murie adn I got on really well or it would have been more uncomfortable than it was. My first thought was "Please stay down!" But when you have a crew around you and the director is talking you through everything (he was very detailed about what he wanted on camera) the thought of anything paying attention (as it were) went out of the window. Apart from the initial embarrasment it was the cramps in thighs and calves that caused the most discomfort!
Just remember it's a job and it's a job you love, the rest is acting, play of own experiences
Kenny

• 16 years ago
• 8

And, of course, another aspect is that, sometimes, you really do have to focus on the ACTING side of things to the exclusion of anything (much) else...because, frequently, the type of sex/intimacy you may be asked to evoke is not strictly the sort of thing you're used to in your day to day life. I've had to play some pretty rough sex scenes in character, which...er...isn't really my 'style' in real - life, so to speak. So actually, as much energy went into getting the level of aggression and lust 'convincing', and I didn't have that much time to worry about anything else. And similar examples could easily be found. So, never forget that what you are doing in an intimate scene is performing 'in character' as you would in any other situation.

Interesting also that this thread has only attracted male comments, wouldn't you say? (Not that I'd want to second guess why...)

• 16 years ago
• 9

Sadly, at my old age, I don't get called for these scenes anymore! I used to really love them. The best thing was the hilarity of the situation. It's like 'dogging' without the sex! No matter how 'few' people are supposed to be there it seems like the room/set is packed with crew/make up/ costume (COSTUME? HOW DID THEY GET IN) and sound lights etc.
It's absolutely nothing to do with sex. It's all another kiss, but with a bit more off the top!
Don't sweat on it. She will be petrified if you do.
Most directors want to get the 'Love Scene out of the way first day or so. That's so when you find out how the two participants don't get on so well as they might you can rely on their performance. It's difficult to expect people who have come to hate each other over seven or eight days of sitting around talking (or not) waiting for the next shot, tensions increasing knowing what is going to be a scene like that. So to 'get it out of the way' and allow the actors to do the rest of their work with that already done makes the shoot easier.
As Kenny says, though, getting on with your partner helps. So stay off the garlic, don't have beans the night before, take a good mouthwash and Tic Tacs with you just in case she doesn't!
Then before you get on with it have five minutes of stretching exercises for legs, thighs, calves and feet.

• 16 years ago
• 10

Oh Alan - me too :-))

• 16 years ago
• 11

At the risk of being tarred and feathered ( ohh matron!! :) ) the reason this has only attracted male responses is simply because us men understand the potential problems that can arise ( excuse the pun).

To cut a long story short ( too late).. the moral is that communicate with your partner ( male or female) and feel at ease with them- the mopre you probably inject humoour and laugys the better they will feel- if its a woman, the more respect and courstesy you shopw them BEFORE the shoot, the better, and afterwards.

If its gay sex scene, perhaps the other actor may feel seriously repulsed by it, and you may not be that keen on it either etc etc.. just give space, and I suppose, realise that its part of this wonderful profession.

On the lighter side, I was once offerted a role in a film ( !) that involved a rather hectic sex scene on a spaceship ( Im not making this up) .. in reytrospect, it was a cheesy B move with soft porn.. I turned it down, did not even take the script home to read.

It did not do well at the box office- I wonder why???? the director said the classic phrase to me " We will handle this sensitively.."

Famous last words.

You have to have a sens eof humour in this damn business.

What I love is that nothing is sacred- sex scenes, erection ect.. we discuss it all on this forum!!!

Now I will shut up..

goodbye.

• 16 years ago
• 12

I'm a girl!

• 16 years ago
• 13

Thanks Antoinette...

I think we had all noticed this...

And...

What a girl!!!

xxx

• 16 years ago
• 14

But Blake didn't :-))

• 16 years ago
• 15

Haaa! Oh this thread has been "so" entertaining. I thank you.

Me? Oh shucks, I'm afraid I'm of the Michelle Pfeiffer genre & wouldn't feel comfortable with nudity in front of the camera. Never say never, but I'd feel too insecure & sooo nervous I'd probably bite the poor guys lip off! (joke! noot! ;-))

• 16 years ago
• 16

I always said that I'd never do nude scenes but I think that's because I've got a crap body :-))

• 16 years ago
• 17

Now now, I won't believe that for a minute. A women's body IS beautiful. End of.

It's only when you start going down the "nips & tucks" route that you "might" be in trouble ;-)

• 16 years ago
• 18

Have been tempted but the cost puts me off - and the fact that it's dodgy :-))

• 16 years ago
• 19

For what its worth- men have body issues as well--- its not just you girlies who get insecure...

• 16 years ago
• 20