How sex scenes in Hollywood are really shot?
In order for a movie to be filmed, producers must find actors and actresses that fit the roles of the characters, get together teams or makeup and hair, find extras for the background, find the perfect locations to film at, and so much more. When the filming time comes, each scene must be practice and rehearsed, then shot, and then looked over to make sure all the characters hit the mark, said what they need to say, and the cameras got the right angles and weren't obscured by any objects. But what about sex scenes? How are they thought of, planned, rehearsed, and finally filmed?
In this article, we're going to talk about the methodology and the sensitivity it takes to film a sex scene.
Sex scenes, nudity, and actress/actors boundaries are discussed beforehand.
Everyone involved in the sex scene has to be treated with the utmost respect. You don't wake up one day and suddenly learn that you're going to have simulated sex that day with a stranger you never worked with before. All the details of the sex scenes, the filming location, and who you'll be working with is discussed way before the movie even starts filming. It is usually discussed around the actor or actress receives the details of their role. This is when they are talking about their contract.
The actor or actress has a team of representatives and/or their agent who discusses with the producers what their person is willing to do. They will also negotiate the type of nudity that scene requires, the treatment that their person should expect, and if they are to work with one or more people during the scene. They will even discuss which parts of the body will be nude and for how many minutes it'll be on screen. Everything that is negotiated and agreed upon is written as a contract called a nudity rider.
You must realize that even if you agree to all the details in a contract, this is still a sex scene, and you are free to withdraw your consent at any time. Of course, we know that these performers sometimes feel like they can't withdraw consent. Hollywood is known to make its actors and actresses perform sex scenes that they are uncomfortable in, or else they'll lose their role completely.
These scenes, just like fighting or dancing scenes, are rehearsed and choreographed.
Many directors want to get the sex scenes in their movies done correctly, so the scenes can titillate the audience and add an extra layer of acting to their movie. There are some directors out there that choreograph the entire sex scene and go over it with their actors and actresses. The director goes over how each person ripes off clothes, how loudly they should moan, how many thrust the man must do inside the woman, and if they can kiss or not. Any violence that takes place during the scene like slapping or hitting or choking is also rehearsed.
Then there are some other directors that leave the choreography up to those participating in the scene. The actors and actresses can discuss it together, trade any ideas for the scene, and they usually stay in touch with each other up into the day of filming. Under special circumstances, the sex scene can be improvised on the day of filming. However, this is also a detail that must be discussed in their contract. If they're working in a union film, directors are not allowed to force actors or actresses to improvise a sex scene when they did not negotiate it.
Improvising a sex scene usually happens when the actors or actresses know each other very well and have worked with each other before in either films, or plays, or TV shows. But newer people can choose to improvise a sex scene knowing anyone at all. It all depends on what the person doing the act has most comfortable with.
Everyone is staring at you.
When the day of filming comes, and the actors and actresses are in their robes and ready for the scene, sometimes the director calls for a closed set. A closed set is a set with a minimal amount of people working in the background. This is so the actresses and actors won't be stared at by dozens of people while naked and simulating sex. But there still can be quite a few people on set, depending on the production, and being surrounded by people looking at your naked body doesn't make acting easier.
If there is a pause or break during a scene, those performing in the scene will try to relax the tension and intensity of the aftermath of the scene with jokes and humor. And if you think the people in the scene are getting hot and heavy with each other and are totally turned on during filming, then think again. Even if they were turned on by each other, which they aren't, they are still naked, under bright lights, with people staring at them, and they are often very cold. It's not an ideal situation for actual sex or romance.
Privacy is still ensured.
Also, when they are naked in the scene, their genitals and other body parts are covered up by a pasty or nude cover. This is so the actor or actress can have a bit of privacy even while performing. If you don't see a body part on the screen, then that part is usually covered up. If an actor needs to cover up his penis, they just use a sock. And if women need to cover their vulva area, they used nude underwear that matches their skin color and film from either the waist up or the legs down.
Conclusion
The patience and dedication it takes to film a sex scene, whether it good or bad one, is remarkable. It is one of the most private and intimate scenes you can have with another actor or actress. It is never good to be pushy, rude, or not take your acting seriously during this part of the movie, as doing so could frustrate everyone involved. So the next time you watch a sex scene, you'll know that they spent days getting every detail correct while their naked body was watched the entire time. Nowdays sex scenes taken in Hollywood are far far away from method of first sex scene in movie ever made.