No-nudity clause
Encyclopedia
A no-nudity clause is a paragraph or a section in a performer’s legal contract that stipulates the performer may not perform nude in a theatrical, television, cinematic, or other type of production. This clause may amount to a performer's right not to perform in the nude, or it may specify that a performer is not allowed to perform in the nude. Nevertheless, a character they play may be shown in the nude by the method of substituting nudity scenes with a "body double".
Although such a clause could appear in the contract of either a male or a female performer, it usually appears only in some of the latter’s contracts, because far more female performers are asked to perform nude than are male performers.
not appear nude. The New York Post reported that after Davis “agreed to be photographed swaddled in nothing but two strips of wallpaper, a TLC staffer called the magazine’s photo department and asked them to run another shot, citing the no-nudity clause in Davis' TLC contract.”
’s full-frontal nudity in Maze
indicates that, for her appearance in this film she “obviously waived the no-nudity clause” when the plot called for her to model for an artist. Likewise, Neve Campbell
told TV Guide Online that she‘s “had the no-nudity clause in my film contracts in the past, because I felt some scenes were for box-office draw and nothing else." Of her nude scenes in When Will I Be Loved (2004), she said they were “about my character's sexual exploration and her power and curiosity, so it made sense.” Campbell went on to do another nude scene in I Really Hate my Job
in 2007.
, for example, who has appeared nude many times in a variety of productions, informed Reuters that she insisted on a no-nudity clause for her cartoon alter ego, Stripperella
, the adult animated series created by Stan Lee
. Likewise, according to the Associated Press, “The San Francisco health department toned down its campaign to combat rising syphilis infections after the company that owns the city's bus shelters refused to display a male genitalia cartoon” that offended “children and families”. Other cartoon characters, notably Homer Simpson
and his son, Bart
, have appeared nude many times, even on prime-time television
, but with their genitals concealed, although Bart briefly shows his in The Simpsons Movie.
has claimed, in an interview with a Maxim magazine reporter, that no-nudity clauses do not exist, contending that “somebody made that up." She explained that “there’s no such thing as a no-nudity clause. There’s a nudity waiver—it’s kind of the other way around. If you have a contract that says there’s nudity, then there’s nudity. If the contract doesn’t mention nudity, then nudity isn’t allowed".
Despite her apparent denial of the existence of the no-nudity clause, Elizabeth herself is reported to have added a no-nudity clause to her own contract. According to the Internet Movie Database, the actress “is fed up" with "taking her clothes off on the big screen" and, after skyrocketing to fame upon appearing nude in American Pie, “now has a no nudity clause in all her contracts. Elizabeth says she wants to be hired for her acting talent, not her body.”
Other performers have also claimed to have such clauses in their contracts. For example, in an interview with Cranky Critic, Kirsten Dunst
when asked directly, “Do you have a no nudity clause with the films you do?,” replied, “Yeah, I'm always very careful about that, definitely.” However, Dunst did appear nude in All Good Things
and Melancholia.
Purpose
Especially when they are launching their careers, many female performers do not object to performing nude; in fact, such an objection can cost an actress or other female performer choice roles in blockbuster films or other lavish productions, unless her reputation and status are sufficiently superior to those of her peers, or she is popular enough, or she has accumulated enough wealth to refuse to accept parts in productions that require her to perform nude without damaging her career. For this reason, for some female celebrities, a no-nudity clause can demonstrate their clout within their profession. When actresses who have no-nudity clauses in their contracts appear in television, theatrical, cinematic, or other productions that require their character to be nude, a body double is used to portray the character during the filming of the nude scenes.Although such a clause could appear in the contract of either a male or a female performer, it usually appears only in some of the latter’s contracts, because far more female performers are asked to perform nude than are male performers.
Studio imposition
Sometimes, the studios or production companies are the ones who insist that their actresses forego nude scenes or other appearances in the buff. For example, The Learning Channel insisted that Paige DavisPaige Davis
Mindy Paige Davis , billed as Paige Davis, is an American actress best known as a host of the reality television series Trading Spaces.-Early life and career:...
not appear nude. The New York Post reported that after Davis “agreed to be photographed swaddled in nothing but two strips of wallpaper, a TLC staffer called the magazine’s photo department and asked them to run another shot, citing the no-nudity clause in Davis' TLC contract.”
Waivers
As with other legal stipulations, the no-nudity clause can be, and sometimes is, waived by an actress for a particular scene. For example, a San Francisco Chronicler reporter observed that Laura LinneyLaura Linney
Laura Leggett Linney is an American actress of film, television, and theatre. Linney has won three Emmy Awards, two Golden Globes, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. She has been nominated for three times for an Academy Award and once for a BAFTA Award...
’s full-frontal nudity in Maze
Maze (film)
Maze is a 2000 romance film about a New York painter and sculptor—Lyle Maze —with Tourette syndrome and obsessive–compulsive disorder , who falls in love with Callie , the pregnant girlfriend of Maze’s best friend Mike while Mike is away on a long stay in Africa as a doctor.-Development:After...
indicates that, for her appearance in this film she “obviously waived the no-nudity clause” when the plot called for her to model for an artist. Likewise, Neve Campbell
Neve Campbell
Neve Adrianne Campbell is a Canadian actress. After beginning her career on stage, and on numerous commercials, she starred on the Canadian television series Catwalk. She then rose to international fame on the Golden Globe-winning 1990s television series Party of Five, playing the role of teenager...
told TV Guide Online that she‘s “had the no-nudity clause in my film contracts in the past, because I felt some scenes were for box-office draw and nothing else." Of her nude scenes in When Will I Be Loved (2004), she said they were “about my character's sexual exploration and her power and curiosity, so it made sense.” Campbell went on to do another nude scene in I Really Hate my Job
I Really Hate My Job
- External links :*...
in 2007.
For cartoon characters
No-nudity clauses have even forbidden cartoon characters from appearing nude. Pamela AndersonPamela Anderson
Pamela Denise Anderson is a Canadian-American actress, model, producer, author, activist, and former showgirl, known for her roles on the television series Home Improvement, Baywatch, and V.I.P. She was chosen as a Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine in February 1990...
, for example, who has appeared nude many times in a variety of productions, informed Reuters that she insisted on a no-nudity clause for her cartoon alter ego, Stripperella
Stripperella
Stripperella was an American animated series created by Stan Lee. The main character, voiced by and based on Pamela Anderson, is a stripper named Erotica Jones who is also the superheroine/secret agent Stripperella. The series was produced by The Firm and Spike Animation Studios...
, the adult animated series created by Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
. Likewise, according to the Associated Press, “The San Francisco health department toned down its campaign to combat rising syphilis infections after the company that owns the city's bus shelters refused to display a male genitalia cartoon” that offended “children and families”. Other cartoon characters, notably Homer Simpson
Homer Simpson
Homer Jay Simpson is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons and the patriarch of the eponymous family. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta and first appeared on television, along with the rest of his family, in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
and his son, Bart
Bart Simpson
Bartholomew JoJo "Bart" Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and part of the Simpson family. He is voiced by actress Nancy Cartwright and first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
, have appeared nude many times, even on prime-time television
Prime time
Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast programming during the middle of the evening for television programing.The term prime time is often defined in terms of a fixed time period—for example, from 19:00 to 22:00 or 20:00 to 23:00 Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast...
, but with their genitals concealed, although Bart briefly shows his in The Simpsons Movie.
Controversy as to existence
Actress Shannon ElizabethShannon Elizabeth
Shannon Elizabeth is an American actress and former fashion model. Elizabeth is well known for her roles in comedy films such as Scary Movie, American Pie, and Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back. She is also well known for her work in horror films such as Thirteen Ghosts, Cursed, and Night of the Demons...
has claimed, in an interview with a Maxim magazine reporter, that no-nudity clauses do not exist, contending that “somebody made that up." She explained that “there’s no such thing as a no-nudity clause. There’s a nudity waiver—it’s kind of the other way around. If you have a contract that says there’s nudity, then there’s nudity. If the contract doesn’t mention nudity, then nudity isn’t allowed".
Despite her apparent denial of the existence of the no-nudity clause, Elizabeth herself is reported to have added a no-nudity clause to her own contract. According to the Internet Movie Database, the actress “is fed up" with "taking her clothes off on the big screen" and, after skyrocketing to fame upon appearing nude in American Pie, “now has a no nudity clause in all her contracts. Elizabeth says she wants to be hired for her acting talent, not her body.”
Other performers have also claimed to have such clauses in their contracts. For example, in an interview with Cranky Critic, Kirsten Dunst
Kirsten Dunst
Kirsten Caroline Dunst is an American actress, singer and model. She made her film debut in Oedipus Wrecks, a short film directed by Woody Allen for the anthology New York Stories...
when asked directly, “Do you have a no nudity clause with the films you do?,” replied, “Yeah, I'm always very careful about that, definitely.” However, Dunst did appear nude in All Good Things
All Good Things (film)
All Good Things is a 2010 romantic mystery film directed by Andrew Jarecki starring Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst. The film is inspired by the life of accused murderer Robert Durst. All Good Things was filmed between April and July 2008 in Connecticut and New York...
and Melancholia.