A nudity and sex consent form makes union officials see red.
By Raif Karerat
Extras on the HBO program “Westworld” are being required to sign a nudity and sex consent form that has put union officials decidedly on edge.
The explicit consent form itself wouldn’t pass standards reviews at a broadcast network as it recites that the performer “may be required to perform genital-to-genital touching, simulate oral sex with hand-to-genital touching, contort to form a table-like shape while being fully nude, pose on all fours while others who are fully nude ride on your back, [and] ride on someone’s back while you are both fully nude.”
The document also includes a broad stroke at the end that indicates an actor may also be pressed into service to perform “other assorted acts the project may require.”
In response, SAG-AFTRA, a union representing actors, posted a notice on its website telling performers that some parts of the contract may be unenforceable. Performers have the right to revoke consent to nudity at any time based on SAG-AFTRA guidelines, the union said per Time Magazine.
if any of those “assorted acts” verge on stunt work, the union contract may entitle the actor to be upgraded to principal performer, which brings with it residuals and a boost in pay.
The Hollywood Reporter noted that while the union agreement also requires additional payment when a background performer is asked to bring specified wardrobe, no additional payment is required when the performer is told to bring no clothing whatsoever.
HBO describes “Westworld,” which was inspired by the Michael Crichton film of the same name, as “a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the future of sin.”
The one-hour drama features actors Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Rodrigo Santoro, Shannon Woodward, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Ben Barnes, Jimmi Simpson, Clifton Collins, Jr., Simon Quarterman and Angela Sarafyan.