This is serious stuff, this sex-on-camera-stuff, so, no smirking.
As a creative video production company here in the sexy city of Seattle we get asked some interesting questions. This is the next in our occasional series about the oddities of our industry.
The client that approached us regarding a ‘bedroom scene’ wasn’t talking porn. (Get your mind out of the gutter… right now, buster.) They wanted to consider just what it would take to capture that most intimate of human endeavors…love, the physical type.
Naturally, the first place you have to turn when considering such things is The Union. So, let’s see what the Screen Actor’s Guild has to say about this. The issue of sex/nudity on the set is found in section 43 of the SAG General Codified Agreement.
First, you can’t just wander in and watch. First rule is a closed set. And only the absolutely necessary tech crew is allowed. After a full discussion with the performers; agreements and waivers are signed. Anybody gets uncomfortable… the deal is off.
This doesn’t sound very sexy…yet.
To get the real scoop on the ‘action’ itself, we talked to our friend, TV and screen veteran, Rob Estes. Rob is the star of such movies and TV shows as Silk Stockings, Melrose Place, 90210, CSI: Miami and Nostradamus. He’s a good-looking guy who, in his estimation has done about 18 intimate scenes with his female co-stars.
“It’s a young person’s job,” chuckled Rob. Then he got serious, “And you always keep one thing in mind when you do such a scene: what’s the focus, what’s the intent? As an actor you have to understand why the scene is necessary…. how it moves the story along. Other wise, it’s really hard to make it believable, and you don’t even sign the papers.”
Yeah, yeah, sounds very professional… tell me about the naked bodies.
“There are scenes that require full nudity…. but most of the time, the actors are wearing something…. even if it’s just pasties and a skin colored g-string.”
“Most of the ladies I worked with were friends; I had the utmost respect for them. There was one time, though, when the lady was a real bitc….er, pill. It was a pretty horrible experience.”
Ok, fine… but did you ever, you know… get REALLY into the scene??
“Oh, that. No, never! It really isn’t like that. And I have worked with some ladies with some very hot bodies. Many times, after ‘cut’ there is a lot of laughter between the actors. It’s like…‘wait till I tell the kids about this.’
That’s another thing: as an actor, when you hear ‘action’, there are just two people in the room, you and your acting partner. When you hear ‘cut’, your suddenly aware of everyone else in the room…it is a little jarring.”
“The most difficult love scene I have done? Has to be with my then wife. We got cast in the roles, which included a love scene together. My wife was very uncomfortable about it. To her it was brining our very private lives into public view… she didn’t like it at all.”
Well, so much for me living vicariously through Rob. He makes this sound like another day at the office, which, when you think about it, for him it really is.
If you ever have any questions about such things as love scenes or even something as mundane as just getting your marketing message captured on video, give us a call at 425-457-7100, or check us out on the web site at www.visualmediagroup.net.
We are Visual Media Group. Whadda’ you lookin’ at?
