Staying Dressed

Recently, I was offered a role on a television show. A staffer called to tell me that the producers had loved my audition for a different role that a Casting Director had taped, and they thought that I'd be perfect for a new role. They were offering it to me, no further auditioning needed! I was thrilled! Then they told me that the new role would involve a simulated sex scene in which I would have to be topless and wearing pasties during filming...

I turned down the role. It would've been good money, good (if indecent) exposure, and a good credit for my résumé. But I know where I stand on that issue. I told them that I would love to be considered for a future role on the show. I haven't heard back from them, and I doubt that I will. That's a risk I was willing to take.

That was actually the second time in NYC that I've had to turn down something that involved pasties (the other project involved a shower scene with a group of women, which was not mentioned in the audition notice). As unfortunate as it is to have to turn down paying (and potentially high profile) work, it's something I'm not willing to budge on.

After my post on Personal Morality, a parent wrote to me that in their teen's search for a good college theatre program, they came across a couple in which classes are "conducted in underwear, on a bed, with a partner." Huh?

Can you imagine anything like that happening in any other career field? If a chemistry student or an accounting student were asked to strip down to underwear in class, the professors involved would surely be fired!

No one needs to get naked to be a good actor. I have a Master's Degree in Acting, and I have never been asked to disrobe on stage. If I had been asked, I would have said no. And I know that I would not have been kicked out of school for that.

[In the interest of full disclosure: I was in a bikini on stage once in grad school, but that was my own decision and unrelated to my studies. My friends were producing a play and asked me to take on the role, and I felt it was a safe situation in which I felt comfortable, so I said yes.]

It's frustrating to know that acting is one of the only careers in which you can be disqualified from a job based on gender, race, age, hair color, eye color, height, weight... I even once had a production company cancel my audition after I complied with their request to send them a picture of my hands (for the record, I have worked as a hand-double before, so I don't think I have unattractive hands).

I think maybe that's part of the reason that it's hard to say no to things like nudity, simulated sex, and intimate scenes: it's just one more reason that people get immediately disqualified from consideration without being given a chance. It's hard to remove yourself from the running.

I recently got a callback for a project I would love (LOVE!) to take on. And it was painful to see, "Are you willing to do nudity?" written on the callback form. I rocked my audition, but I know that my chances are greatly reduced by that one little "no."

It sucks that this is part of our industry. It sucks that most student films I see audition notices for require nudity (um, why?). It sucks that there's no easy way to change it. It sucks that being willing to get naked became a sign of being an artist. A real actress.

I know that my choice to stay dressed is going to limit my options. But for me, it's the right choice.

--Angela Sauer

 

P.S. Have you come up against this issue in your work as an actor? Leave your story in the comments!

Comments

[Michelle]

I completely agree with this blog! Especially since, being a college age girl, I feel like like I've seen so many casting notices for roles for my type but I'm required to strip down. It's so unnecessary and aggravating. And when it comes to student films I feel like it's just a bunch of college guys who are writing scripts like that for non-professional reasons.

[Cole Matson]

Good for you. And thank you for continuing to address these issues. I was once told (in a discussion of lying on one's resume) that if I refused to lie on my resume, in the name of my integrity, I would never make it in this business. My response: "Then I won't make it. My integrity as a human being is more important than an acting career."

And in any case, that person was wrong. Honesty and trustworthiness will get you far in this business, as in any other area of life.

[Ben Hodge (@benhodgestudios)]

What a timely and refreshing post. As an acting teacher in "flyover" country, I get a lot of misconceptions and questions about the reality of the business. Many actors and their families bring the issue of morality and/or nudity up quite quickly. I always tell my young actors to NEVER DO ANYTHING that makes them feel morally uncomfortable and to be aware of what you talk so eloquently about in your post. Thanks for your honesty and strength.

[Charles]

Get over it people. Nudity is not a big deal. Do you get naked in real life for things? Yes. We all get naked before sex, before getting in the shower, etc. You're portraying a character, you're portraying life. It's not like they're asking you to pose for playboy god. If you are a good actor, you are a good actor, if you suck, you suck; nudity or not, it's not going to change your talent. No one cares if you have a masters in acting, they care that you are going to make them money or be convincing in the role and if the role calls for nudity and it makes sense with the writing and character then so be it.

[judith]

this is well said and you are a brave and smart gal. i know it is going to pay off...you will find the kind of work you are looking for and get paid for it!!

[Lonni]

Way to go Angela. These scenes are rarely included for any artistic reason, despite what the industry would like you to believe. It's primarily about money, and sex sells. Any one who thinks that getting naked and simulating sex in a room full of strangers is "no big deal" is setting themselves up to be taken advantage of, regardless of whether it's a student film or a studio pic. The only one who can protect you from perverts who prey on actors is YOU.

[Emma K. Harr]

Charles' comment up there brings up an interesting point (although he does sound a little more annoyed/rude than perhaps he should): characters do and should have fully realized lives within the context of their stories. Meaning OF COURSE they use the bathroom, shower, change their clothes, get intimate with another person, etc. But you can't just say "well, the character does it, therefore I will do it" and be done with it. For example, I'm allergic to cigarette smoke. It makes me really sick. I will not ever smoke a real cigarette for a role, no matter how lucrative the part. Why? Because I won't be able to DO MY JOB well if asked to do something I physically can't or don't want to do. I will be hacking up the whole scene, you won't get any good shots, and also you might kill me. No something I'm willing to compromise on. Same thing with nudity. It's all fine and good that the character is nude for whatever reason--but I, as the actor, would still have to disrobe in front of a bunch of people, have to be directed and repositioned, have to have wardrobe help with pasties-positioning, have to deal with standing there bare for however long it takes to get the "right shot." Same thing goes for stage--and that's in front of an entire audience of people every night, even if it's not immortalized on screen. That's still MY naked body representing the nudity of the character--and therefore I'M the one that would have to be comfortable with it.

I don't think that if you are not okay with nudity you should have to force yourself to "get over it" as Charles said just because characters are sometimes nude. I think your post here is really wonderful, Angela. I'm also not okay with nudity at this point in my career. My agent even made a comment to me one day where he just assumed that I would be okay with doing sex scenes on screen and I had to stop and say--"why is this just a GIVEN? I'm allowed to have my own opinions, AND my boundaries, and I won't compromise them just because I'm a twenty-something ingenue and that's apparently what everyone expects from me in this industry."

And for the record, I don't see myself "getting over" being made sick by cigarette smoke any time soon, either. Why should I have to compromise just because someone else wants something different? I don't ask them to stop writing their nude scenes. Stop asking me to do the same.

[LV]

How an actor decides to use their body, their tool is a deeply personal choice. Appearing before anyone - ever - without clothes on is a state of vulnerability - just like showing raw emotion. And that state that can either be exploited or used as a springboard into a state of connection and strength. Condemning someone for seeing and making use of the artistic merit of their body is fundamentally no different than condemning for someone for *not* making the same choice. Every performance, every project, is different and actors have to work with creative teams to determine what allows everyone to proceed with dignity and integrity.

[Monique]

Angela,

Your story brings me back to August 2011, when I took the chance to audition for a drama short. I thought I'd be perfect for this role. I wanted it badly. I waited 3 months, before I was able to have a more personal read through/audition with the director. That is when she dropped the bomb on me- my character has sex with her boyfriend where both are fully nude, but she also has a moment where she stands in the mirror naked, looking at herself.

I was in no way wanting to be nude, but how could I admit that? I knew that my chances of getting the part would be slim to none. She was honest with me, and told me that she wouldn't want me doing the part if I didn't feel comfortable being nude. She also explained that it would be tastefully done, but as much as I wanted her words to ease my anxiety, it didn't. I knew she could read it all over my face.

I didn't get the part. I know that it could've been mine, had I been 100% on board with this sex scene, but I couldn't turn my back on what what I believed, and getting nude was and has always been my #1 don't. Looking back now, I am happy that I didn't lie to her, but most importantly, I am happy that I didn't lie to myself.

Some actors don't mind being naked. Some do, and I think that is perfectly alright.

Besides, when you do or don't get a particular role, it just shows what wasn't meant for you.. and what was. :)

[jay]

@Charles ; I think where Angela is coming is a place of integrity.Unlike a lot of people who are so quick to get jude so quickly for a few dollars. She actually has talent which she wants to share in the field of acting. After all we're actors not strollers you seem the type. Who wouldn't mind disrobing for money if this is what you believe. Save yourself the hassle of trying to be and actor. Go be a stripped its quick cash and would better suited for someone like you. Actors need to really question the motives of the writer not the character. When a sex scene comes into play usually its in there to help sell the story. For the most part sex scenes are pointless and can be done without. Angela stick with your artistic integrity we need more like you