Contrary to how erotic, effortless, and natural sex scenes seem on-screen, they take a lot of preparations, thoughtfulness, and hard work.
We reveal to you some of the secrets behind the sex scenes you see in movies. Filming sex scenes is no turn-on. There are big cameras and crew members that come with them. The sex scene is a performance with a stranger for a director who is judging every whimper and caress. It is tense and awkward for the actors – it is the antithesis of hot.
Advertisement
Since the subject matter of sex scenes is so personal, people involved have many techniques and tricks up their sleeves to make those scenes comfortable for actors and convincing for people watching. Scroll down to read about some of them.
Stimulated sex and nudity are outlined in detail during contract negotiations
Actors sign a legal contract that outlines the nudity detail before you see them naked on TV. The nudity clause in the contract includes all the specifics of how the sex scenes will be filmed, who will be there, and what the actors will be asked to do.
Actors usually aren’t naked
Have you ever watched actors in great passion and wondered how naked they really are? Well, the wardrobe department is the actors’ best friend when it comes to shooting a sex scene. They’re usually wearing coverings and modesty patches while filming sex scenes. Unless the sex scene is extremely explicit, they are wearing some type of flesh-colored undergarment covering their privates.
The garment is important to prevent any contact between the actors. The man wraps his privates in a cloth that is shaped like a sock, to make sure all his private areas are covered.
Sex scenes are sometimes tightly choreographed
The team precisely choreographs the sex scenes. They plan every move the actors will make before they start filming. The director decides how spontaneous or choreographed sex scenes will be. The directors openly talk to the actors about where the camera will be, what will be visible, and what the actions will be. And they do stick to the script.
Sex scenes can take a long time to film
They are often brief onscreen, but they take hours to shoot, whether it is due to the director’s notes, lighting changes, or makeup touch-ups.
Glycerin or rosewater spray is used to get that sweaty look
The goal of every sex scene is to make the sex look as natural and real as possible. They accomplish that by adding such small details. The team spritzes the actors with glycerin or rosewater spray between takes. This looks like a real sweat to the camera.
A closed set is provided for sex scenes
While filming sex scenes, only the essential crew members that need to be onset for the scene are present. Otherwise, hundreds of crew members shoot the other scenes. This crew includes the director, script supervisor, camera operator, and boom operator. The closed set helps actors feel more relaxed and comfortable.
Advertisement
The sex scenes aren’t hot for the actors
Let’s see what actors say about these ‘hot’ scenes:
“Filming a sex scene is not a sensual or pleasurable environment. It’s really hot – not in a steamy, sexual way. It’s just sweaty and not very comfortable”.
– Dakota Johnson
“It’s always pretty awkward when you have to take your pants off in front of a crew and other actors. During the scene it’s fine, you don’t feel uncomfortable, but as soon as it’s cut and you’re standing around in your underwear, that’s when it’s weird and uncomfortable.”
– Liam Hemsworth
“There is that revoltingly embarrassing moment when you have to take your clothes off in front of strangers. But as with all things in life, the second you stop making it about you and you make it about everyone else, it just gets, dare I say, fun.”
– Anne Hathaway
“It’s hard to have a sex scene, period. It doesn’t matter if it’s a friend, a male, a female. You’re with 100-something crew members, lighting you, repositioning you. There’s no comfort whatsoever.”
– Mila Kunis