So you’ve gone through the casting process and landed yourself a role that involves simulated sex acts and/or nudity. That can be a very vulnerable and scary thing for an actor to do! You may be wondering, then, how to keep yourself safe, protected, empowered, and educated throughout the process. This, my friends, is where the nudity rider (sometimes called a nudity clause) comes into play.
Allow us to break it all down for you—because the more educated you are, the better you’ll feel when it comes time to bare it all.
A nudity rider is a detailed written agreement made between the actor and the production to ensure a safe, professional work environment when it comes time to shoot nudity and/or simulated sex acts. It goes beyond what is outlined in the script and is borne from careful and detailed negotiations between directors, producers, actors, and their representatives. It is vital that everyone—cast and crew alike—have a thorough understanding of what the scene entails, what all parties have agreed to, and what parameters will be in place well before cameras actually roll.
A nudity rider should be as detailed and informative as possible so that there is zero confusion on the day of shooting. Exact particulars will depend on the scene, but in almost all cases the contract should include:
- Descriptions of exactly what is being asked of the actor(s) with regards to nudity and/or simulated sex
- Specific language of what you agreed to do and what is off-limits
- Agreements as to which body parts will be shown and which will not
- A breakdown of who will be present on set
- Details of how the footage can and cannot be used
How Intimacy Coordinators Keep Actors Safe During Sex Scenes “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. “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.”
Every project’s needs will be different, so there is no standard nudity rider. Some productions may have an initial template, but every set and film/television/commercial shoot will be different. That said, there are resources you can consult, like SAG-AFTRA’s Quick Guide for Scenes Involving Nudity and Simulated Sex and Sex, Nudity & You Member Booklet, as well as Equity’s template nudity rider.
If you’re using a body double, that performer should also have a nudity rider.
Are nudity riders required?
These contracts are required on union projects that include nudity. “A rider provides an opportunity for meaningful, considered consent,” writes SAG-AFTRA. “Performers should never be pressured or coerced into signing a rider, ensuring they only commit to performances and depictions they are personally comfortable with.”
Though not officially required for non-union shoots, nudity riders are (and should be) regularly used by even the most independent of productions in order to uphold professional and safety/comfort standards. After all: You’re all at work, and you should feel safe at work. Ultimately, nudity riders should be considered a non-negotiable aspect of any professional onscreen undertaking and must be signed by all parties involved during preproduction.
It is not required that a legal representative draft and/or read a nudity rider, but it is always helpful for them to take a look. If you have a representative, they should also take a look and assist you with outlining what will be expected of you and your body, what modesty garments will be afforded to you, intimacy coordinator expectations, and more.
It should also be noted that the SAG-AFTRA Basic Agreement’s section on nudity (section 43) is not a sufficient agreement on its own. If a performer/actor is expected to be nude (even just partially so) and/or engage in simulated intimacy, a separate nudity rider must be written up, agreed to, and signed.
In the end, nudity riders keep everyone safe—from actors to crew to the production as a whole. It shows that everyone knows exactly what is expected of them and hopefully mitigates any vulnerable feelings that might lead to bullying, intimidation, or just a deeply uncomfortable environment for all involved. Creativity can only flourish—especially when telling stories that involve intimate subject matter—when everyone involved feels protected.
