directing Handling Nudity

ShortFilmSensei

ShortFilmSensei

So, I'm hoping to hear from those who have worked with mature scenes or nakedness in their films.

I want to stretch myself out on a limb, and do a really introspective piece that is mature, in that there are scenes that I want to portray lust. I don't want blatant French Cinema or Pink Film style in your face graphicness... But more of a subtle, artsy piece.

I'm wondering all the little details that make everyone comfortable with the whole thing. Anyone have experience with nudity in their films, and what successes/set backs did you encounter during the process?
 
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We have some implied nudity in my 2nd feature DETOURS. In terms of making the actors comfortable - they met for the first time on the day we shot the scene - the director, who is also an actor and teaches acting, used several exercises that he's developed over the years. These involved having them touch each other gently on the hands, in water, and in very controlled environments.

When we shot, the ONLY people in the room were the two actors, the director, and the DP with the camera. We didn't even use a monitor, because there was nudity in reality that we had already agreed would not appear on screen. We didn't WANT any real nudity - not that there's anything wrong with that, but it would just have limited us re fests, screening opportunities, etc.

We guarded these dailies very carefully, and they did not circulate as others did.

When we moved to editing, the guy who was hired for that understood the agreement.

In the end, we got what we wanted - you can tell that there is nudity, but "nothing" shows while everything is suggested.

Keep in mind that these are very experienced and professional actors who have had experience with these kinds of scenes in the past.
 
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mlesemann said:
When we moved to editing, the guy who was hired for that understood the agreement.

In the end, we got what we wanted - you can tell that there is nudity, but "nothing" shows while everything is suggested.

Keep in mind that these are very experienced and professional actors who have had experience with these kinds of scenes in the past.
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Thank you for sharing. So the key is just privacy and comfortability. And an understanding about what is allowed and not allowed. Got it.
 
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I'd add one more thing - make sure the actors feel safe to express - both in advance and when you're shooting - what's OK and what's not OK.

In our case, everything was agreed to in advance and there were no problems when we shot and/or when we edited.

But actors need to be feel safe saying "no" or "stop" even while you're shooting - some people have traumas in their past that may not come out until they're in that situation so they need to be able to say when something's not OK.
 
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I think you'll have more luck if you bring on trusted female friend as a producer to recruit them for you.
someone that knows you and can vouch for you. these things are all about trust.
 
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mlesemann said:
I'd add one more thing - make sure the actors feel safe to express - both in advance and when you're shooting - what's OK and what's not OK.
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That makes sense, I will definitely make certain anyone who offers understands what we are going for first and foremost. The footage I want isn't really even that crazy. It will be 1 second flashes or images going in and out very quickly. So that may make it even easier to work around/modify. I am extremely flexible with the scene, so I will cater to the actress and the comfortability level.
sfoster said:
I think you'll have more luck if you bring on trusted female friend as a producer to recruit them for you.
someone that knows you and can vouch for you. these things are all about trust.
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Very true. The primary person in question trusts me and I trust her. So, that definitely helps with the conversation side of things. I take this scene very seriously too, since it would be my first "mature" scene.

Rayandmigdalia said:
Just give serious thought to where you're going to go with the finished film. Many film festivals will only show films that are family friendly.
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No festivals for this one, its going to be a very personal project. Not going for publicity or awards at all. Its just to get grooving and working in an abstract kinda way.
 
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onebaldman said:
I will cater to the actress and the comfortability level.
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Absolutely essential. But don't forget that there are also men who have been sexually abusive, or have other issues that could be triggered by shooting this type of scene - and it may even be harder for them to speak up.

Sounds like you have a good handle on it - I just wanted to mention that as much for people who may reference this thread in the future as for you.
 
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onebaldman said:
Anyone have experience with nudity in their films, and what successes/set backs did you encounter during the process?
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From memory, yes. I have directed one and crewed another. One with implied nudity for a few actors and another shoot where 3 or 4 of the girls were on display. So it's not so much a lot of experience. There may have been another one or two that I don't remember.

I found the trick is to over communicate and pay attention to the little details. Ask lots of questions, encourage them to ask lots of questions. Do whatever it takes to make your talent comfortable so they can perform... that's a good rule in general, not just for nudity. Everyone is different. I tend to over communicate and be clear in what's happening and be a little overly cautious. When I've been explaining what's going to happen, I've had actors who cut me off "Shut up.. Just do it", and others who ask a million questions and want other people to do it/or to do it themselves.

I've never really understood closed sets. If the actor is comfortable enough for their private parts to be captured on film, they're usually comfortable enough in front of others. That being said, if an actor wants/expects it, do it. It's all about what they need. It has nothing to do with what you think is appropriate.

Prepare for shooting to be slower than you expected. Nudity can introduce issues that aren't always expected. Lav microphones are notoriously difficult to hide without clothes. We had a shower scene where a last minute change to hot water caused damage (we assume through condensation or whatever it's called) to equipment.

If you're implying nudity, more attention needs to be taken into consideration so you don't see what you're not supposed to, and have enough coverage to allow a proper edit.
 
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Sweetie said:
I've never really understood closed sets.
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This brings up a good point/illustration of issues that aren't immediately apparent when planning such a shoot.

The actor in question had modeled extensively at a high level. An open modeling shoot with nudity included a crew member surreptitiously taking and sharing photos. Fortunately this was before social media became as prevalent as it is now, but it was still a very upsetting experience.

So the issue wasn't the actor's comfort with the nude shoot but the number of people who would be trusted with the images - the fewer, the better.
 
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mlesemann said:
This brings up a good point/illustration of issues that aren't immediately apparent when planning such a shoot.

The actor in question had modeled extensively at a high level. An open modeling shoot with nudity included a crew member surreptitiously taking and sharing photos. Fortunately this was before social media became as prevalent as it is now, but it was still a very upsetting experience.

So the issue wasn't the actor's comfort with the nude shoot but the number of people who would be trusted with the images - the fewer, the better.
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Well those are also going to be less flattering photos, taken at stupid angles by a random crew member.
if you're gonna be naked you want the photographer taking your photos
 
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You're missing the point entirely - or you get it but are making a tasteless joke.

Agreeing to a controlled amount of nudity in a movie or a photo shoot is completely different from an asshole crew member circulating your photo to his friends to jerk off to.

Movies and photo shoots stipulate (or SHOULD stipulate) what can and cannot be shown in the images that are ultimately used. The actual shoot often involves far more nudity in order to avoid stray bits of clothing, the band aid over the nipple, etc from impinging on the shot.
 
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mlesemann said:
You're missing the point entirely - or you get it but are making a tasteless joke.

Agreeing to a controlled amount of nudity in a movie or a photo shoot is completely different from an asshole crew member circulating your photo to his friends to jerk off to.

Movies and photo shoots stipulate (or SHOULD stipulate) what can and cannot be shown in the images that are ultimately used. The actual shoot often involves far more nudity in order to avoid stray bits of clothing, the band aid over the nipple, etc from impinging on the shot.
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Yeah I totally missed that point sorry.

I was just thinking "Who on earth wants an UNFLATTERING photo of them naked?" like if it were me personally and I were in shape i don't care at all about being naked if those images are going to make me look good. but I wouldn't want some photo of me ass naked while I'm bent over picking up a script or something ya know. its a totally different animal to have an unflattering photo like that of you as opposed to one that youre prepared for and consent to. not a joke

even actors like porn actors where it is their job to have imagery circulated and masturbated to will not want some random photo where they look bad on the set.
 
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I don't have anything to add with regard to "handling" nudity in film and on the set. I'll just add a couple of stories.

The first feature film on which I worked had quite a bit of nudity. The protagonist was completely nude from behind in one scene. In another scene there was full frontal nudity of one of the actors getting out of a bathtub, and then being "assaulted" while her husband watches - it was a fantasy role-play situation and the protagonist was a male prostitute hired by the couple. There were a number of other topless and other sexual situations (spanking, scenes in showers, etc.). When sharing production stories with me over dinner the producer and the director mentioned some of the actors were totally exhibitionist and some were extremely restrained. So the only advice I can offer here is that every actor is different.

I worked as PSM/Boom-Op and also did the post on a short. One of the actors runs across a room topless, but the director didn't want to show anything. At my suggestion as she came into frame she turns and looks over her shoulder for her lover, thus positioning her body so you could see she was topless but not seeing anything.

As far as working on the set keep the crew down to essentials, as mlesemann suggested. And make sure that it's warm enough!

And it has always been "interesting" doing ADR on scenes with sexual situations. In one session the two actors were practically getting it on in the studio during the session so we could get a proper DX performance. As I said, interesting.........................
 
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Awesome advice everyone! Thank you so much for the advice. I will keep it in mind when planning everything out.

It's going to be an abstract piece, so I may be able to imply more than actually show. Its supposed to represent the feelings and thoughts of lust in our minds. I guess that really could be anything. Lips kissing, body parts moving, hands rubbing.

But I just wanted to cover all bases and make sure I have a clear and considerate mindset moving forward with the project.
 
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No experience here whatsoever. I'll still add one thing though. The question of nudity has come up on IT before, naturally. One thing that multiple posters have agreed upon was the merit of shooting any such scenes first. That way you get them over with and they're not a cause of anxiety for everyone throughout the rest of the shoot. Having them out of the way, everyone can relax and focus on the rest.
 
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richy said:
No experience here whatsoever. I'll still add one thing though. The question of nudity has come up on IT before, naturally. One thing that multiple posters have agreed upon was the merit of shooting any such scenes first. That way you get them over with and they're not a cause of anxiety for everyone throughout the rest of the shoot. Having them out of the way, everyone can relax and focus on the rest.
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Good idea! Didn't think about that. Its a good point. It would take away MY anxiety too! Haha. Then I can be a slightly better Director.
 
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