Nudity is such a personal thing. To literally expose oneself during a scene (or even just in life) can be a terrifying, vulnerable, and psychologically tricky situation—especially if it’s being recorded for other people to see, ostensibly forever. Sure, we’re all born naked, but that doesn’t make the experience of being nude in front of others all that easy. What should you, as an actor, do or expect after you’ve been cast in a nude scene? Read on to find out more.
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It’s a simple question with a complex answer. In short: It depends. In cases where the scene calls for it, yes, actors work entirely nude. Even in those instances, nudity can be fully or partially obscured in the final product through blocking, framing, or editing.
When a scene involves partial nudity, actors often cover other parts of their body on set through tape, bodysuits, or other modesty garments, such as:
- “Shibues” and “hibues,” or strapless thongs
- Nipple covers or stick-on bras
- Pouches
- Silicone barriers
- Athletic cups
Nowadays, there is also the option of using previously agreed-upon digital or physical doubles. For example, using visual effects, Lena Headey’s head was placed on the body of a stand-in during her character’s infamous “Game of Thrones” shame walk.
No matter the circumstances, you should always know the expectations and requirements around nudity before accepting a role or walking onto set.
First thing’s first, when accepting a role with nudity, it’s important that you understand:
1. There will be nudity, whether it’s just undressing or in combination with sexual simulation
2. What the specific details and expectations are for that nudity
3. Your own level of comfort with onscreen nudity
This is where a nudity rider is crucial. “A nudity rider is part of your contract and it should be negotiated before you step foot on set,” explained intimacy coordinator Marci Liroff in an interview with Spotlight. “Your rep should negotiate specific language about what you’ve agreed to do and what you have not agreed to do.… Be as specific as you can and make sure you understand the language. Ask a lot of questions and have it all down in writing as it has to be adhered to on set. They might spring something on you on set but remember you have a nudity rider that states what you will do.”
Intimacy coordinators like Liroff are members of the crew whose sole job is to ensure the comfort, safety, and physical limits of actors involved in nude and/or simulated sex scenes. “With actors, I make sure I read exactly what it is in their nudity or simulated-sex rider so that there are no surprises. I ask them if they’ve had experiences doing intimacy on set before and what they need,” intimacy coordinator Alicia Rodis (“Insecure,” “We Own This City”) told us.
If you’ve agreed to film a nude scene, you must consider your own hard limits in terms of comfort and exposure. Get as specific as possible. Will you show nipple or just breast? Full frontal, just your bottom, or nothing at all? Be sure to ask if the set will be closed (it should be) or if there will be an intimacy coordinator to help choreograph any simulated sex acts (there should be).
Go through every single scene in great detail with the director and/or intimacy coordinator. Get as many answers as you can about what you’re agreeing to. Where will the cameras be? How will certain body parts be shown or obscured? What is required in the scene beyond nudity? Where and how will this project be distributed?
“If [nudity] is something that you want to do or if it’s something that you’d like to be open to doing, it doesn’t have to be this yes or no question,” said intimacy coordinator Mia Schachter (“Blindspotting”) in an interview with Backstage. “It can be: ‘I’m open to doing nudity, and I’m open to doing simulated sex, but not at the same time.’ Or: ‘I’m open to showing my butt, but only without showing butt crack.’ Or: ‘I’m open to implying topless nudity, but I don’t want to show nipple.’... There’s always, always, always multiple ways to tell the same story. So knowing those things for yourself ahead of time is going to be really helpful when you’re either entering into a situation where there is no intimacy coordinator or entering into a conversation with an intimacy coordinator about your comfort.”
Per the rules of SAG-AFTRA, on the day of shooting any nudity or simulated sex scenes, “the set must be closed to all persons who are not essential to the filming or rehearsal of a scene, meaning that only those necessary to be physically present in the moment are allowed on set.” Because nude scenes are so delicate, nonunion projects should strive to mirror union rules and regulations around them. (If you’re a nonunion actor and/or on a nonunion project, this should definitely factor into your decision to accept.)
Production should provide you with a coverup to wear whenever you are not shooting, as well as the previously agreed-upon modesty garments, likely handled at a costume fitting or garment audition.
A closed-set rehearsal will take place prior to shooting, where you’ll practice the exact choreography of the nudity to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety level. This is your time, as an actor, to advocate for yourself, as well as to express any final areas of discomfort or concern. Things change on set all the time, so some level of variance may be expected, but your comfort and safety should never be exploited.
If there is not an intimacy coordinator on set, it’s important that you familiarize yourself with SAG-AFTRA’s guide for scenes involving nudity and simulated sex and advocate for yourself should you feel the situation has become unsafe. SAG-AFTRA has a 24-hour hotline available for anyone should behavior on set not meet the agreed-upon standards: 844-723-3773.
It’s OK to say no
Sometimes, things change—be it your comfort level or the acts happening in the script. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, “no” is your friend and a complete sentence.
“I find that most actors are hard-wired to agree to anything. You are trained to jump into most circumstances with trust and an open heart. But you should know that your ‘No’ is very powerful,” Liroff told us. “For instance, there’s a clause in your SAG-AFTRA contract stipulating that you have the right to say no to a scene while you’re in the middle of shooting, even if you’ve agreed to it and have signed a nudity rider.”
It’s important to know that you absolutely can be vocal about your boundaries, and you can always change your mind at any time. Art should not come at the expense of your own safety and comfort level, so never be afraid to advocate for yourself. Parts come and go, but your internal compass and sense of self is yours alone, and you have every right to fight for what feels best for you and your body.