Experts have spoken about a rule that every actor who has had real, unsimulated sex on camera has broken after the list of celebrities who have done it was revealed.
Despite more than 99 percent of film sex scenes being completely simulated, there have been rare occasions where the sex shown in a movie genuinely happened.
Whether this be an actor who performed a graphic sexual act on her director for a scene, or Oscar-winning actor Mark Rylance being sexually intimate for a scene whilst he was married.
It is far more common than many perhaps may realise and involves a number of household names who have done it.
What rules have actors who have broken if they film unsimulated sex scenes?
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In short, if they’re actually bumping uglies in any way shape or form, they are breaching SAG-AFTRA rules.
This is the labour union which represents screenwriters, actors, and other media professionals.
One expert on the portrayals of sex and relationships in film spoke about this, expressing the seriousness of films having unsimulated sex scenes.
Brooke Haney previously spoke to LADbible about unsimulated sex scenes in films, lending her expertise as a professional Hollywood Intimacy Co-Ordinator.
She said of the phenomenon of scenes like this taking place: “So in the States, you can't, under SAG-AFTRA rules. That's literally the difference in a film that's under SAG-AFTRA or porn.
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“That's just the delineation. Legally everything that is film or TV under SAG-AFTRA has to be simulated.”
How do these scenes still take place and what punishment could they face?
Those responsible for the decision to film things unsimulated, whether it be producers, directors, or the actors themselves, can face fines, suspensions, or expulsion from SAG-AFTRA if the film is a union-approved set.
Asked about how this can still happen on sets, Haney was very strict, saying: “It was filmed outside the US, or assault was happening. Or rules were being broken. I know that it’s happened.”
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In their rules regarding unsimulated sex, SAG-AFTRA said: “SAG-AFTRA contracts explicitly prohibit actual sex acts, meaning that at no time should a performer auditioning or working under a SAG-AFTRA contract engage in, or be asked to engage in, actual sex acts.
“Actual sex includes genital contact without a physical barrier, regardless of whether the performer is clothed or unclothed.”
Even if both actors consent to carrying out the act unsimulated the rules are not in place solely for their protection.
Sets are populated by far more than just actors and doing so would be forcing all of the other crew member involved to experience that.
Topics: Film, Celebrity, TV and Film, Sex and Relationships
Michael Slavin