MY NAKED TRUTH

Last year I was offered a role in a big Hollywood production. I turned it down then sobbed for hours. Lets start from the beginning…

I was requested to audition for a role that involved a very rough sex scene. During the casting I made it clear (on tape) that I was NOT willing to appear naked on screen. The best I could do was implied nudity. Two days later I get a callback. I am excited. I’m assuming the director is cool with my terms otherwise he wouldn’t call me back. I get there and audition for him. He says I’m booked for the role but I will have to be naked for the scene. I’m confused. I made it clear from the beginning, I wont take off my clothes for this shoot why was I even called back in the first place? He asks me to go outside to get some air and think about whether I wanted the role or not. Must admit, it felt good to have the director wait for my decision as it is always the other way round. I go outside and phone my agent to get her opinion. She says it’s up to me. As sex/nudity is a very personal thing. I have a coffee then go back to the studio. I tell them i’l take the role.

A few days later, I phone my agent to ask if there was any money coming in from previous work.  I was so broke that and could use any amount. She says she would get back to me. An hour later, my phone rings, it’s my agent. She says there is no money coming in yet but the good news is an offer came in for the movie I had auditioned for. She tells me how much has been offered. It’s peanuts…way less than peanuts… in fact, it’s just nuts! How can they want me naked for the scene and make me such an offer? I decide to put the money issue aside and ask who will be in the scene with me and will I have lines. She tells me that its a non speaking role. All i’l have to do is the sex scene (frontal nudity mark you) then immediately get killed off. The actor il be playing alongside is no name actor aka not famous. My instincts tell me no. I always follow my instincts. I politely decline the offer. My agent is confused. Just an hour before I had phoned her complaining about how broke I was and now here I am declining work? She respects my decision none the less. I hung up, then cry! This is the first time I have rejected work and it’s happening in the worst financial time ever. The decision was made based on three things.

1. How big is my character? How many scenes, how much lines?
2. Who am I in the scene with?
3. How much are they offering?

In this case, my character had one scene with no lines (unless you count moaning with pleasure then screaming my lungs out as I get killed). As mentioned earlier, I was to play along side a no name actor. If it was a sex scene with Bradley Cooper or even Zach Galafanakis I would have most certainly accepted the role. Imagine how much cred i’d be getting! Finally the pay was an insult to me and actors worldwide.

Don’t get me wrong I ain’t no prude. I have done nude shoots before and I am very comfortable with my body  but there has to be a reason as to why i’m required to be naked in a scene. I hate watching shows where actors (especially women) get naked for absolutely no reason. I watch it and think “Really? you could not say those lines with your panties on? You just had to show us your huha” I find it very degrading and i’m glad that women in Hollywood are now starting to take a stand against this nonesense.

I am all for sex and nudity on screen. Actually, I look forward to the day i’l be  asked to take my clothes off for the camera. Here’s to hoping that when that day comes, my nudity will not be in vain.

…and that, is my naked truth.

Image: Javed Jafferji

Epic Line: Your gut knows what your heart hasn’t figured out yet

-Caroline Mutoko-

Disclaimer: this blog is proudly brought to you by the voice(s) in my head. It does not intend to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any personal issues. If symptoms persist, contact this person immediately !!