Most actors who get into the profession recognise that at some point they will be asked about how much nudity or intimate scenes they are willing to perform, especially as film and TV shows try to push the boundaries in response to audience tastes.
For many actors the question of nudity or performing a sex scene is a tricky one and much of it relies on how empowered they feel on set. Some actors may agree to perform a simulated sex scene but put in contract clauses about how much of it gets shown on film. Others will have nudity riders.
For many actors the question of nudity or performing a sex scene is a tricky one and much of it relies on how empowered they feel on set.
But if you are new to the industry and/or don’t have an agent or manager who can advocate for you, then you can be left in a vulnerable situation. Especially if you don’t feel comfortable enough to pushback when more experienced artists or producers and directors ask something of you that you aren’t particularly comfortable with.
Candy Bowers highlighted just this when she spoke to SBS in 2018 about her experience.
“I was working on a show in second year, playing lovers with an older fella who was always teasing me about being prudish while “complimenting” me on my boobs, which was confusing. I was 21 and deeply uncomfortable working with him. On opening night, out of the blue, he tongue-kissed me in the middle of a party scene. Unrehearsed. No consent.”
On opening night, out of the blue, he tongue-kissed me in the middle of a party scene. Unrehearsed. No consent.
When she complained she was told to “get used to it”.
The #MeToo movement saw the start of the outing of such behaviour, including sexual assault allegation charges laid against some heavy weights, such as Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey.
The Australian industry has had similar problems where lines between professionalism and harassment seem to have become blurred.
In response to situations such as these where actors have felt unsafe, the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) have released Australia's first intimacy guidelines for stage and screen. The MEAA notes that these guidelines will “establish new processes for work involving nudity, intimacy, simulated sexual activity and sexual violence to ensure performers are prepared, supported and able to do their best and most daring work.”
The guidelines have been welcomed by members of the industry.
Ana Tiwary, the founder of Diversity in Australian Media and recently appointed as Strategy & Development Executive at the Australian Directors' Guild told SBS:
"The intimacy guidelines released by MEAA are well researched and provide clear safety measures for intimate scenes. What I truly appreciate about this practical document is that it takes into account an inclusive and nuanced notion of intimacy, that may be shaped by the performers cultural backgrounds, abilities, sexuality, age and gender. To create safe spaces, it is important to understand and embrace this diversity and complexity."
Veteran actor Michala Banas spoke about how as an actor she faced situations that pushed the boundaries of consent and that the guidelines were a step in the right direction.
"I once was in an audition where the director secretly told the reader, who was reading opposite me, to kiss me, even though there was no kiss in the scene, just to see what I would do in character. And that's just really not appropriate at all," she said.
There was no conversation about consent.
Actor Rachel Griffiths famed for her performances in 'Muriel's Wedding' and 'Six Feet Under' also spoke about the intimacy guidelines saying she could have used them throughout her career. "There was no conversation about consent," she said.
Director, actor and producer Rosie Lourde had similar thoughts. She told SBS:
"At this time, where there's even more pressure on our stage and screen industries, these guidelines will provide much needed safeguards for performers and producers alike to navigate complex circumstances. With these guidelines, our industries can continue to evolve to further respect and support performers in vulnerable situations as they work."
The more the industry can safeguard its artists, the more we can thrive. Not just as creators but as audiences as well, knowing that the work being made on set came from a place of consent and creativity.
