James forced to get naked on the show

[zobothehobo]

Maybe not to that extent, but he still probably had some idea of what he could be asked to do. I'm not sure it's legal to force anyone, even an actor, to do that without their initial consent.

I'm going to paraphrase James here... he has said several times that when you sign a contract for a show, they don't tell you really anything about what you'll have to do in the future. But most shows are pretty safe... you see what happens in the episodes and the same thing or pretty much the same thing will happen episode after episode. But Buffy was not like that. The Buffy writers would take it this way and that way and make you do this and that and this and that... and if you weren't comfortable... tough cookies. You signed a contract. So to answer your question, no. they don't have to tell actors what they're going to do in future episodes. But most actors have a general idea... As for legally putting them on camera naked... they can't make you have sex with someone if you don't want to. but they can make your character have sex with another character even if you don't want to. Depending on who you are is how much pull you have. For instance, Sarah also hates nude scenes and she barely has any. James has spoken several times about how sometimes she would jokingly rub that in his face... like show up to set in full winter attire and say "I'm ready for my love scene now!"

 

[Chosen Enemy]

Maybe not to that extent, but he still probably had some idea of what he could be asked to do. I'm not sure it's legal to force anyone, even an actor, to do that without their initial consent.

I don't know about the legal thing, because a contract is legal, and beaking it isn't legal, you can get sued or fired. So technically it's legal to force them.

 

[patriot1123]

I'm not sure it's legal to force anyone, even an actor, to do that without their initial consent.

I think it would depend entirely on what is, and is not, in his contract. I've never seen an actor's contract, but I'd love to see one.

---------- Post added at 02:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:37 PM ----------

I don't know about the legal thing, because a contract is legal, and breaking it isn't legal, you can get sued or fired. So technically it's legal to force them.

Here's an interesting but not-entirely-relevant distinction: it's actually perfectly legal to break a contract. You may, as you correctly point out, get sued or fired, but there's nothing "illegal" about it. It can sometimes be a legitimate choice for someone to break a contract and take their chances with firing and/or damages.

I'm not saying James should have, or maybe did, consider that option. Again I'd love to see his contract to know what his options were if he really did object to being naked.

 

[Chosen Enemy]

I think it would depend entirely on what is, and is not, in his contract. I've never seen an actor's contract, but I'd love to see one.

---------- Post added at 02:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:37 PM ----------



Here's an interesting but not-entirely-relevant distinction: it's actually perfectly legal to break a contract. You may, as you correctly point out, get sued or fired, but there's nothing "illegal" about it. It can sometimes be a legitimate choice for someone to break a contract and take their chances with firing and/or damages.

I'm not saying James should have, or maybe did, consider that option. Again I'd love to see his contract to know what his options were if he really did object to being naked.

So basically, it's legal to force them if it's part of the contract, but it's also legal to break it. Interesting.

 

[Tome]

Honestly, I didn't see it as that big of a deal. It goes both ways. 😛

And it got us some hilarious scenes, like when Xander shows up at his crypt and Spike tells him he's ''exercising'', LMAO!!

 

[Harley]

Does anyone have links to where James has said he was uncomfortable or was forced into anything? My phone hates google right now so I cant look it up myself.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Gum Gnome33]

I see how you can think of his nakedness as gratuitous, but I think one argument for it is that we're meant to see Spike through Buffy's eyes: as a piece of meat. In season 6 Buffy is using Spike, and kids, she wouldn't be using him if he was gross-- know what I'm sayin'? Throughout the entire season, Spike is definitely trampled over by our heroine and her justification up until "All the Way" is that he's harmless, fighting by her side.... and hot.

Actors belong to unions. They protect their rights and ensure that everything that was agreed to in the contract is upheld by the employers. But imagine what it's like to sign your first major contract on a TV show. It's hard to say no in Hollywood! If you do, there's always someone who is eager to take your place. I'm sure James has a lot more control now over what he has to do in a scene, than he did in 2001. He's earned it! (Then again I could be wrong...)

 

[prophecygrrl]

I see how you can think of his nakedness as gratuitous, but I think one argument for it is that we're meant to see Spike through Buffy's eyes: as a piece of meat. In season 6 Buffy is using Spike, and kids, she wouldn't be using him if he was gross-- know what I'm sayin'? Throughout the entire season, Spike is definitely trampled over by our heroine and her justification up until "All the Way" is that he's harmless, fighting by her side.... and hot.

Actors belong to unions. They protect their rights and ensure that everything that was agreed to in the contract is upheld by the employers. But imagine what it's like to sign your first major contract on a TV show. It's hard to say no in Hollywood! If you do, there's always someone who is eager to take your place. I'm sure James has a lot more control now over what he has to do in a scene, than he did in 2001. He's earned it! (Then again I could be wrong...)

Good point about Buffy's perspective! I'm sure that's a part of it as well. I didn't watch it live so I can't comment on viewership or how ratings were doing at the time, but that seems plausible too.

I've heard James say that the network change was part of it too. All the writers had much more freedom on UPN, and they got carried away, to paraphrase what he said. Don't remember which convention video I heard that in though.

 

[thevikingsgirl]

Compared to Oliver Queen in Smallville, the amount of skin in Buffy seems very non-gratuitous. My husband and I laugh every time Ollie's on screen shirtless (I also drool, shhh).

 

[StarSlayer]

Here's an interesting but not-entirely-relevant distinction: it's actually perfectly legal to break a contract. You may, as you correctly point out, get sued or fired, but there's nothing "illegal" about it. It can sometimes be a legitimate choice for someone to break a contract and take their chances with firing and/or damages.

It depends on the kind of contract though. Like, with leases, many people can break the lease but of course there will be consequences in that they'll have to pay the damages. If it's a contract for an actor and their performance, it may depend on the specific language of the contract. Like, the contract could say that if the actor choses not to follow it or breaks it, there will be legal consequences, such as being sued for damages or even being fired. So, it's not really illegal to break it, but it's still wrong because they originally made a promise to stick with the contract once they signed. Just wanted to clarify the legal reasoning on that, lol! 🙂

Getting back to the thread discussion, I think it seemed like James didn't mind having to be naked in some episodes, and he knew it would be expected especially when he learned Spike and Buffy would be having sex. As actors, you know that part of the job is based on the look. So, it can be expected that in some shots, you may have to show some of your physique.

 

[Buffy Summers]

Compared to Oliver Queen in Smallville, the amount of skin in Buffy seems very non-gratuitous. My husband and I laugh every time Ollie's on screen shirtless (I also drool, shhh).

He goes to my gym. I've done an extra hour on the bike just to watch him work out lol

 

[Christopher]

I like seeing naked women on shows. Piece of meat yeah. But it works for the ratings. And it's good vitamins for the eyes. >8D

It's good for your health. For the sake of living a long and prosperous life, I force mysef to do it regularly.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sgjslldwJA[/ame]