Naked extras, a worrying trend

Following a surge of inclusion of adult performers in mainstream roles there is currently a worrying trend where mainstream extras are being asked if they feel comfortable working to nude levels. This is done for a lower fee than the equivalent adult industry performers would merit. While cost-saving this comes with an increased element of risk. This raises some worrying questions:

• What if the nude performer finds being naked in a room of 20+ strangers to be unexpectedly overwhelming?

• What if they are uncomfortable with the partner they are paired with?

• What if the director decides they want to turn up the heat and move the action from topless kissing to simulated oral sex?

• What if the nude performers trying to simulate sex look wrong - awkward, robotic?

• What if the agent providing the extras was light on the details, meaning performers arrive expecting implied nudity and discover they are signed up to stand naked in a crowd of other performers and crew?

• What if the nude performer took the role in the hope of elevating their acting carer and regrets it? That regret could be a small footnote in their life or it could grow and become a deeper burden that impacts them for the rest of their life.

Typically, naked or sexual extras form the backdrop for large party-style scenes. The larger the scene, the more beneficial it is to have full crew on set (see Advantages of an open set).

It is more expensive to have a perfect take marred by one scared or awkward extra than it is to pay the professionals to come in and produce the perfect backdrop for the main cast to work off.

Intimacy coordinators play an important role on set; they ensure everyone feels respected and heard and help performers to gel and interact in a healthy way. The inclusion of intimacy coordinators however does not suddenly transform all performers into adult performers. Having a stunt coordinator doesn’t mean hired extras suddenly know the best ways to fall out of a moving car, the same is true for intimacy coordinators and sex scenes.