[ SECRET POST #3132 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #3132 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

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10. [repeat]











Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 03 pages, 068 secrets from Secret Submission Post #448.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Comments

[fscom]

09. http://i.imgur.com/b75f4O4.jpg

[(Anonymous)]

Who am I meant to be looking at?

OP

[(Anonymous)]

While the exact characters aren't that relevant, if you're curious, Joe MacMillan and Sara Wheeler from Halt and Catch Fire.

Re: OP

[(Anonymous)]

UGH. Awkward romance is the least of H&CF's problem, imo.

[(Anonymous)]

Their relationship does feel forced in their scenes, but do we know for a fact either or both of them are uncomfortable with these scenes? (I don't follow anyone on this show closely enough to know one way or the other.)

OP

[(Anonymous)]

Maybe it's because I've seen enough of these kinds of scenes, but it's almost always screamingly obvious to me when an actor or actress is phoning it in in a romance scene, and it almost always is in the way they don't put their hands on the other person's body, instead crossing them over at the neck, or if around their body, they make fists instead.

Re: OP

[ketita]

Huh, that's an interesting observation. I never thought of it that way (guess I don't watch too much stuff with romance...)

Re: OP

[(Anonymous)]

I always pick up on that kind of stuff too.
Some people have good chemistry, but for some people it must be really awkward.

Re: OP

[(Anonymous)]

Some of that may be/is down to direction, though. Like, thinking of Once Upon a Time (which is a shit show and a shitshow at once, but still) and has real problems with only "evil" characters or non-consensual relationships being portayed as straight up sexy. The RL married couple playing a married couple look awkward and fake compared to some of the rape/sexual assault scene, which are the only scenes with stuff like partial nudity and moaning. Granted, most shows aren't nearly as fucked up, but still. There could be other reasons than actor discomfort why a scene doesn't come across as genuine.

[fishnchips]

Eh. I think it massively depends on context. I mean sure, sometimes actors just don't have any chemistry, and that's a pity. And I'll be the first person to tell anyone that if the romance scene isn't necessary, leave it out. But if actors sign up for a role with the knowledge that there might be a romance scene, it's kind of their job to not make it half-assed and badly acted. It's literally what they get paid for.

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah I pretty much agree with this. If a romance is important to the plot though I think it's up to the people in charge to make sure the actors are up to the challenge. It's tough for an ongoing show but this is why sometimes there are cast changes after an initial pilot.

Actors need to be capable of doing romance scenes though, there are certain things you can get away with not doing but I can't imagine it'd be easy to be an actor and write off romance scenes completely.

[(Anonymous)]

I think it's cool that there are actors who just don't do them. Neal McDonough is known for refusing to kiss an actress for a role. He plays good leads, just not those kinds of romantic leads.

[(Anonymous)]

The actors know they are signing up for romance but if they don't have chemistry with the person then it's just awkward for everyone including the audience.

I've always wondered if they ever do screen test for chemistry and give them a chance to get to know each other or if they just throw two people together and see what happens.

[(Anonymous)]

They're ACTORS. It's their job to ACT. If it's awkward for them, too fucking bad -- you suck it up and do your job. And if you can't do your job convincingly because "waaaah I wouldn't bone this person in real life waaaaah," then find another job.

There are actors who notoriously hated each other (Fred and Ginger, anyone?) who managed to make it work on-screen. Because they were professionals who did. Their fucking. Jobs.

[fishnchips]

I agree with the other anon. If you can't fake the feeling, you're probably not that great of an actor, imo.

[kallanda_lee]

Filmmaking doesn't quite work like that, though. You obviously have some leeway, but directors do stick to scripts,because if you start to take out random bits (even romance) shit doesn't make sense anymore.

OP

[(Anonymous)]

There are times when romance scenes need not be present though. Like, if it's pretty much dripping off the screen that two characters are gonna have sex, a smash cut to black is sufficient, IMV.

And it's not because I'm a prude - far from it; it's because if the actors don't have the right chemistry then it's just kind of awkward, mentally critiquing all the ways they're trying to avoid physical contact without (they think) making it obvious that's what they're doing.

Re: OP

[kallanda_lee]

No, they do not NEED to be there...but my point it's that it's generally decided whether or not they will be there before filming, so before you might discover the actors have shit chemistry in a love scene.

[arcadiaego]

I think they have good chemistry? I mean, clearly it's all going to go to shit but I am convinced by them being attracted to each other? I liked the nightclub scene because they were a married couple playing around and enjoying each other, which was unusual to see.

[likeadeuce]

Is the implication that a queer actor should not be asked to do m/f sex scenes. That seems..odd.

[(Anonymous)]

... is that the implication? I don't get that at all from the secret.

[likeadeuce]

Based on the OP's clarification, the example given is an actor who's at least widely believed to be gay.I wasn't sure if that was the subtext of 'the director should know.

OP

[(Anonymous)]

Uh, no. The secret is about implausible body language and contact during romantic type scenes in TV and movies.

[(Anonymous)]

But they're actors. It's literally their job to act what they're given, including any romance scenes. If they can't fake it even when there's no natural chemistry, they're not doing their job.

[(Anonymous)]

Huh. I thought this particular couple was intentionally... awkward at times. I feel like they both sort of want but don't want to be together. Their baggage and histories makes me feel like they're trying to be what they wish they could, or "normal", but... they just aren't.

Then again I find their scenes to be the most boring and awkward on the show so maybe I'm rationalizing.