The Globe and Mail: Given the strict union guidelines around on-set nudity, there’s seldom a reason for performers to be surprised. Actors must be told of any nude scenes well in advance and nudity waivers require directors to itemize exactly what will be shown and how. In Canada, the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists provides people called called OSLOs (on-set liaison officers) to make sure the rules are followed. As Susan Milling, ACTRA Toronto’s director of independent and broadcast production, puts it, it’s “to remind the performers that they are in control.”
Saturday, March 03, 2012
The naked truth about on-screen nudity
The Globe and Mail: Given the strict union guidelines around on-set nudity, there’s seldom a reason for performers to be surprised. Actors must be told of any nude scenes well in advance and nudity waivers require directors to itemize exactly what will be shown and how. In Canada, the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists provides people called called OSLOs (on-set liaison officers) to make sure the rules are followed. As Susan Milling, ACTRA Toronto’s director of independent and broadcast production, puts it, it’s “to remind the performers that they are in control.”
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8 comments:
On screen nudity is such a sensitive topic because it not only raise questions about the actor's comfort, but pretty much, the comfort with the audience who is going to see the show! Though the times sure have changed, and we are more de-sensitized to all the sex in media and TV today, it is more difficult to control who is sneaking in to what movies, and what is "exposed" for a selected age group. But still, I don't think this is where the problem falls, this situation has surely been around for years. It's more about the actor's comfort-- so long as they are okay with how their body is portrayed to millions and millions of people!
I am in complete agreement with the previous comment. In modern society, it's all about the audience reaction. I feel that the comfortability of the actor has been something that been been perfected down to a science. From know well in advance and having it monitored intensely, the process of filming is not where the concern should lie. Outside out life theaters, we are legally obligated to say if there will be nudity during the performance. Why is this not an issue in the movies. I know that we have ratings, but now a days that means almost nothing.
I really didn't know anything about the process surrounding nudity on film, and I had wondered about that. I still wonder what the equivalent process is for live theater - I really don't know. With film, there is complete control over what the audience sees, where as in live theater an audience member can choose where to focus, and everyone gets a slightly different experience. I guess, for that reason it makes some sense that there are more required warnings for the audience about live nudity. Movies are required to list if there is nudity or partial nudity on their ratings, but it is not so easily accessible as it is in live theater. I'm just curious about the differences.
Abby brings up an interesting point about live vs film nudity. I would also like to learn more about the regulations surrounding nudity in live performance. From what I very, very vaguely am aware of, it seems like the rules are much more strict regarding live nudity, or at least there seems to be more of a taboo there than in film. In my brain it seems like it should be the other way around because in theater the people nakedness has sort of a restriction or protection around it, in that the only people witnessing it are those who see the production, for as long as the production exists. Whereas in film that is your naked body living in the digital world where anyone can bring it up anytime and manipulate it. Obviously I am in agreement with Natalie also in that whatever the case, everything has to do with the actor's comfort. The instance that is mentioned in the article, with Anne Hathaway getting to review the final naked sequences seems like the way that should be the standard everywhere, if possible.
This is interesting to me because I never realized that the actors involved in nudity scenes could have so much power over the type and length of shots in those scenes. It absolutely makes sense for them to have this say though. I like the idea of having an on-set liaison to help the actors out with this process. It is ideal for them to have an advocate who can give them advice or help them out when they are feeling uncomfortable. I'm glad that there are so many actresses today who have said that they would not do certain types of nudity. It is great that they don't feel pressured by the media, fans, or other people in the industry to go further than they want to with on-screen nudity.
This article is informative in explaining the legal process for on screen nudity. This is something I didn't know much about before and was interesting to learn more about. It's funny, there seems to be much less reservation for an actor or actress doing live theatre to do nudity than there is on film. Maybe this is true, or maybe the issue is just more well advertised in the film industry. Nonetheless, I do agree that having a full nudity scene on recording forever is daunting. However, if it truly adds to the scene, I do think the actor needs to consider the art of the piece versus their own level of comfort.
From what this article has told me, I'm very supportive of the legal process between the director, producers, and actors. Everything seems to be very detailed, with the actor signing off on everything, being able to negotiate, and surprises being very rare because all this information is presented well in advance.
As far as the audience goes, if someone is sensitive about film nudity, they should probably make a habit of finding out why a film is rated how it is before they go see it. Because that information is very available and very clear, I can't feel any sympathy for someone who complains about seeing a naked butt they hadn't expected to see. If it really matters to you, look it up beforehand.
I definitely believe that nudity on screen is a really critical storytelling technique. Its effective in communicating ideas and revealing details about a scene exactly how the director intends. I know that in this society every generation has a different idea of what happens for instance when two people walk into a room together and shut the door. In order for a cross generational understanding of the scene - it is important to be clear in what is happening. That being said it is important that there are legal issues that protect such a process - especially with something so sensitive. This article provides insight into a cloudy area that a lot of us are not aware of.
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