stars, sex and nudity buzz : 05/9/2012

Dunham's Jugs A-Flashin' Ain't Gonna Save Girls

The HBO series Girls misfires again in this week's episode that has viewers pulling their hair out wishing the characters would just stop their whining, grow a spine and grow up. In the wake of the recent backlash, it's curtains for the series for this viewer (and many others) as the backlash grows. 

 by Abra Deering Norton (May 08, 2012)

 
{Note: I admire all who create. Creating is not easy. Still, when you put something you create into the world you open yourself up to criticism. Girls has been getting a fair share of it as of late, some of it deserved. The following is my opinion, take it for what it's worth. I believe that Lena Dunham can do better.}

The problem with the HBO series Girls (by creator and star Lena Dunham) isn't so much the backlash and controversy against the show, although that was on an epic scale. (In case you missed it, one of the show's writers tweeted insensitive comments that were deemed "racist" which lead to a critique that for a show set in Brooklyn, a very diverse borough, it lacked diversity.) The problem in addition to that is — the show isn't as funny as it thinks it is. The characters are so pathetic while being so arrogant at the same time that it's hard not to feel they deserve every horrible thing that happens to them. In short: They act like idiots.

And not the endearing kind.
"Hannah's Diary" doesn't show them changing anytime soon. They're still clueless girls who want us to revel in their cluelessness. They are the kind of moronic idiot that is hired as a nanny, goes to the park to talk down their nose at actual (multi-cultural) nannies, and then loses your kids. Then said nanny goes home to flirt with your husband who tells said nanny that losing children in public "happens to all of us."
God bless and god help us all but um, cough, no — it does not.
The moment at the end of the show made me pretty much decide to put Girls on my own personal permanent hiatus. A show this self-consciously awkward cannot expect us to believe this phoned-in attempt at a "heartfelt" moment. Plus it totally misfired. Jessa is a totally unlikable character. It's not that we don't have sympathy for her — we just simply pretty much despise her. Like most in the show, she's self-involved to the point of needing an intervention. Hello, Jessa, reality's calling: It wants to bite you (in a last-ditch effort to make you grow up).
Is this the new thing in the low-rent hipster world? You're a self-destructive moron who doesn't give a f*** and we're supposed to revel in this? Whoever's selling that can keep it. I ain't buying.
This show is "adorkable" and "awkwardable" but it is just not cute. Not cute at all. In fact, it's the anti-cute. It also is not really all that funny. Not nearly as funny as it wants to be.
I want to like it. I want to like Hannah, I really do. I want it to be "quirky," and witty, and smart and even off-kilter and bizarro. But at the end of the day — I just don't. I cannot escape the feeling of wanting to swear at the television screen and hurl my hipster T-shirt at my flat panel TV. But then I'd be watching the show either a) topless or b) in my cami. Oh wait — Hannah already did that in this episode.
Why? Is it because HBO loves nudity and sex? Is it because, well, what with Hung and Game of Thrones, HBO wants to be a porn channel? Probably not. In the case of those other shows, their sexual encounters, while graphic, are always in context. Those sexual scenes are actually required for the series' storylines. In Girls? Not so much. Maybe they're required for (methinks) Lena Dunham's massive narcissistic ego.
There, I said it.
When she took her top off, to take the topless photo of herself, the camera could've cut from the shoulders up. The only conclusion to draw is that she wants the world to get a gander at her headlights. Okay, noted. You got two boobies, so do most girls. Can we move on now?
The episode was downhill from there. I tried to get into it. I tried not to get annoyed at the hipsterism gone awry. There are different kinds of hipsters but this show represents the worst kind: Entitled and lazy East Coast hipsters who actually come across like they're stupid. They make mistakes and bad decisions and it's not okay. Why? Because they should know better.
Girls would play better as a tragedy than a comedy. Nearly ever single character is a complete f***-up and totally lost. It's as if the lost generation became very self-conscious and decided to just give up.
Hannah appears to have completely given up. Her quasi-"friends" either wear a coat of such forced cynicism it's plastered on like lipstick on a 3-year-old — desperate to appear cool but really not grown up yet; or they come across like forlorn little girls: Aimless, confused buoys — floating on the sea of life — desperate to cling to any man hoping he will rescue them.
Why — oh why — can't there be one character in the show who gives a rat's ass about her career? Is career a dirty word to these Girls? Is trying uncool? How about just a passion about anything? Like, even, a hobby? Is learning freaking Windows and Word macros that difficult?
Yes, yes and no.
The "awkward" moments abound: An overly-eager character's overly-eager date goes down on her, much to her chagrin. We get it. It's the flagship "awkward" moment. Then there's the kind of funny text with the requisite "OMG!" that follows (only in this case, it's characters repeating "Oh my god!" over and over until you want to hurl your vinyl record collection at your flat panel TV). Turns out, Hannah's non-bf BF accidentally texted her a photo of his penis dressed up as a squirrel in a fur that someone said looked liked their grandmother's fur coat. Kind of funny. Then Hannah's flashing the camera her set, which was "awkward." And Hannah's whole office dysfunction.
Sigh.
I didn't want to go here but I'm going: For all the controversy surrounding Girls, no one's really taken on the feminist angle. Trust me, I don't even really mean feminist (other than in the broadest sense of the word). I mean like just a normal, upright, breathing, responsible, female women.
I'm starting to dislike this show so much — I'm starting to really dislike Judd Apatow. This is saying a lot since I considered myself a huge Apatow fan. Maybe Apatow does represent, on a big scale, like never taking responsibility. Many characters in Apatow movies have that in common. Many of these girls are learning to deal with responsibility, they're not fully grown-up yet but hello, they are 24 not 14. Or rather — they are 24 going on 14.
So back to the office. Hannah's boss decides that he's going to give her a "massage" and feels her up (er, down) instead (hand down shirt). No, that's not cool. While most women can understand inappropriate stuff at the office, or borderline stuff, or off-the-cuff jokes (especially if you've ever sat in the writers' room on a comedy show, I have) — you roll with it. What you don't really ever roll with is some old dude, as in ancient — sticking his hand down your shirt.
Unless you're just like really kind of messed up. By that I mean: A total f*** up.
When he's your boss and you don't like it? It just isn't cool.
Since I'm complaining, the other thing that wasn't cool was the stereotypical portrayal of minorities in the office. They spoke with strong accents. They drew absurd eyebrows on Hannah's face (which her BF later said she looked "Mexican:" Is this supposed to be a Frida Kahlo joke or what?). They also told her to accept the Old Mister-Cop-a-Feel and deal with it because they got financial perks and kickbacks from the old perv.
Girlfriend, say whaaaa!?
I don't know about you, but most tough city girls (of any race) that I know — would not put up with this crap. The episode ends with her roommate's boyfriend writing a partial song after reading Hannah's diary. I felt like I was watching an Afterschool Special, we're back in the 24 going on 14 territory again.
If the show had something to say — or was extremely funny — these types of egregious and offensive elements could be overlooked. As it is, it is just so annoying that it makes me want to shout at the television screen.
A lesson to be learned here is that pathetic girls aren't funny because these Girls have lost themselves — lost their power. They have no self-esteem. They don't even aspire to self-esteem. That goes from awkward to just — yuck.
Women make mistakes, we all make mistakes. Being "empowered" as a woman does not mean you don't make mistakes. What it does mean is — you don't play the victim.
You really don't play the victim when you have a choice.
A show isn't a political statement, but what is this show saying?

• Don't take responsibility for your life.
• Be a total headcase, first-rate f*** up masquerading as "adorkable."
• Let an old perv stick his hand down your shirt and smack you on the butt.
• Let your non-BF BF degrade you (we are talking serious degradation here) and go back and beg for more.
• Be a victim in your life and then think it's funny.

I want to be on the "Oh I'm so hip" bandwagon and give a big ole Facebook "thumbs up" "Like" to this show but I just can't do it.
Not until Hannah discovers her spine and starts taking life a little more seriously.
In the meantime, I wish her the best on her journey. May she find a good eyebrow stylist (may I recommend threading) and learn to keep her shirt on and that she does not have to work for a perv. I thought the personification of a New York woman was that she was a tough, ballsy, no-bs type of woman. Hannah has the personality of moldy socks and can't seem to find her spine or any cojones. Maybe the Midwestern girls have it right — all that cold and snow makes you tough and independent. Or the California girls who work smart (not hard) and are independent and savvy. Failing that — maybe Hannah just needs to move out of New York.
Maybe I just don't get it. If glorifying absolutely aimless incompetence and powerlessness for women is the new cool — you can count me out.


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DogFart interview with porn newbie Lia Lor

Lia Lor has just made the jump into adult video. We got her first boy/girl scene and was able to spend some time with her before the shoot. Listen to Lia Lor as she talks about her racist ex-boyfriend and what he'd think if he found out she was out banging black dudes.

The Devil's Advocate and Lia Lor 

Everyone say hello to Porn Valley's newest arrival -- Lia Lor. Lia came from a small town in Texas, and in this interview she talks about growing up, her sexuality, and her feelings about sex work: stripping, porn, and escorting. 

 

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OYSTER (Marie Schuller, Anita De Bauch, Vivienne Westwood, Dans La Vie)

"An outbreak of composed cool exhibitionism. The ratting of wheels, the hum of the night, the baring down of speed and implosion of shock, the raw explosion of nudity is a comfort on the Central Line.

"Directed by Marie Schuller, a London based filmmaker, Oyster is a raw and unhinged documentation of exhibitionism in the simplest form. Blatantly thrown in the British face of public transport, Anita de Bauch gets naked. Commissioned for London’s Fringe! Film Fest, iF showcases the edited version whilst the raw footage will premiere on April 15th during the festival in London.

"Marie Schuller, a London based director, is an internationally recognized director with film pieces screened at numerous film festivals including La Joalla, NYC Fashion Film Festival, and ASVOFF where she received the “Best Director of Fashion” award. For the past two years she has been working for SHOWstudio as Nick’s Knight’s fashion film editor as she continues to contribute as a filmmaker."

Anita De Bauch (born 15 January 1986) is an English model from London, England. She is an international fetish fashionista, art nude model and pin-up. She has graced films, books, magazines, stages and exhibitions around the globe. She is a fully formed, self-styled character, effortlessly blending cutting edge fashion with art, glamour and a timeless elegance. Diverse, dynamic, and always distinctive. She is Anita De Bauch.

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An Open Letter to Horror Actresses and Filmmakers

by James Morgart (09/21/2011)

With the advent of the prosumer camcorder, more and more “filmmakers” are coming out of the woodwork in a similar fashion to the infamous GWC’s of the modeling industry.
Basically a GWC is a “guy with a camera” or “guy with camera.” These are males with little to no equipment who hold nude modeling shoots usually for their “private collection.” Often, once they’ve gotten the model naked, they’ll either proposition the model or push the boundaries even further.


Unfortunately and regrettably, our own industry has seen the rise of male “filmmakers” who follow this same formula.
While the horror industry has flourished in recent years, there’s a fine line between consensual exploitation and taking advantage of young women who want nothing more than to be successful actresses. Competition is extremely high and jobs are extremely scarce, so often these “filmmakers” in question take advantage of these conditions by either pushing the boundaries of nudity or pushing the personal space that an actress would agree to.
Due to a rise in real-life horror stories being relayed to me by actresses in our industry, I felt a need to write this column to not only raise awareness within the acting world, but also to horror fans. I’m not arguing against “exploitation” films or nudity in horror films or even pornography. These films are done among consenting adults who have discussed the script and agreed to the content of the shoot well in advance of the shootdate.
However, borderline snuff and mistreatment of women by some of these so-called “indie filmmakers” is not only wrong, it’s becoming more of a reality that aspiring actresses have to protect themselves against. Moreover, they are a blight on our horror community and are beginning to tarnish the reputation of our industry. If we allow this to continue, all of the horror industry is likely to be wrongly accused of supporting or promoting such behavior simply because most horror includes violence and nudity.

Below, I’ve offered not only two examples from friends of mine who have been taken advantage of, but also some suggestions for aspiring actresses who really have every intention of making it in this industry – and conversely, they are points that aspiring filmmakers should follow if they want to be taken for as legitimate horror directors.
The first example is a friend of mine who was offered to be in a “horror film.” She showed up for the day of the shoot and she brought a friend as she knew that the scene was going to require nudity – and being that she had only met the filmmaker once, she wanted to feel more secure. When she arrived on the “set,” there was no crew, just the director and his digital camcorder. The scene called for her to roll around naked in a field. She played out the scene, wrapped, went home, and the next day discovered that the field she had rolled in was covered in poison ivy. Well, she had no insurance and, no big surprise, but neither did the director (fyi, worker’s comp for a $50,000 film should run a filmmaker about $300 to $400…though don’t expect most indie films to have worker’s comp). The director didn’t bother to scout out the locale beforehand and he refused to pay her medical bill. Instead, he attempted to make it up to her by offering her a role in his next indie film. However, the role required for her to have a simulated sex scene with the main character in the film…not so surprisingly, to be played by him. When she asked if she could do the scene with her boyfriend instead, he threw a fit claiming to be “an artist” and “a professional” and promptly rescinded his offer.
The second example is from a friend who agreed to be in a slasher film. It was meant to be the lead role, which she took on with a great amount of excitement. However, on the day of the shoot – after having been driven out to a location in an urban setting by the director and the lead actor – she was told that there were changes made to the script which required not just nudity, but a fully simulated sex scene. She refused. The director became irate and told her to either do the scene or find her own way home from this locale at 2 AM. Regrettably, she relented and followed through with the scenes. Something she regrets to this day.

If you’re aspiring to be an actress in the horror industry or indie film industry, read the following points and hang onto them. As an indie filmmaker myself, these are points that I fully expect any actress who auditions for me to raise, and any filmmaker would happily respond to each of these questions to the best of their ability.
1. Ask about the crew.
Is this guy working alone? If yes, um…why? Think to yourself, is there a single successful film (in horror or otherwise) in the history of cinema where a one-man crew’s final product catapulted the filmmaker to stardom?
If he does have a crew, who are these people? How does he know them? Are they buddies of his? Or, are they hired workers? Or, are they people the director is friends with only after having established a working relationship with?
The bare minimum crew should have a DP (a director of photography also known as a cinematographer), a PA (production assistant), a makeup artist, a production designer, and a sound mixer. If any of these are missing, ask why. Sometimes there’s a logical explanation. If there isn’t, be wary.
If the director gets offended or doesn’t want to answer the questions, then walk away from the project. No filmmaker will shy away from being forthright about their production.

2. Ask about the medium.
Is this to be 8MM, Super 8MM, 16MM, Super16, 35MM, HD, HDV, or DV?
If it’s DV, ask why DV and ask what their plans are for sound. Will it be boomed? Will it be a simple attachment?
DV’s never a reason to turn down a project, but it is worth questioning.
3. If there’s nudity, ask why.
If the best answer they can provide you with is, “it’s a horror film, so of course, there’s nudity.” Then, you may want to reconsider if you’re not interested in being in an exploitation film. Many horror films have nudity, but the respectable horror films tend to make an attempt to address women’s roles as well as to address nudity in general. There’s a difference between the nudity in a Jim Wynorski film and the nudity in I Spit on Your Grave. Both are marketable products, but one of them is clearly using nudity as a selling point while the other makes an attempt at a social message.
If you’re not interested in exploitation and the filmmaker cannot articulate the purpose of nudity in the proposed script (or he does articulate as “in order to sell” and you’re not interested in participating in that), you may want to walk away. There will be better projects to come your way.
Some of these “filmmakers” don’t understand what it is they are asking of an actress when they’re asking them to take off their clothes for the camera and for an audience. Often, they will hide behind the concept of “professionalism” without realizing that they’re asking another human being – and not some object of affection – to be completely naked in front of a camera.
One of my close friends who is now a well-respected scream queen veteran also asked that I be sure to point out the posterity of film. Once you’re filmed nude, you’re nude on film. If you’re not ready for the consequences of that or you’re “on the fence” then don’t agree to do it.
Moreover, you may also consider asking for a stipulation that the film not be advertised using your nude scenes. As an actress, you’re required to sign a waiver giving the production the right to use your image and voice on film. Before you sign the waiver, read it over. If you want a stipulation about not using your image in advertising, then ask the director to add it in. If it’s on the spot, then tell him you’ll write it out and both of you can initial right next to the added line. Then, get a copy of it! If the filmmaker then uses a still or a clip of your nude scene in advertising, you have every legal right to take action. This is a small industry, almost familial, make a bad rep for them, word will get around to anyone who would have the power to help them out with their career.
You may ask, what’s the benefit of this if websites will wind up grabbing the still frame anyway and posting it all over once the movie is released? Well, adding that sort of stipulation in the release form forces the filmmaker to advertise their film on the merit of the work rather than as a skin flick – assuming that you are under the impression that what you’re involved in ISN’T a skin flick…if it is, and you’ve agreed to be in the film anyway, you’d be unnecessarily handcuffing the filmmaker with such a stipulation.
Horror auteur and highly-respected director (and someone who I’ve personally relied on for advice) Stuart Gordon infamously had a body double refuse to do the nude scene for Re-Animator prompting Barbara Crampton to take on the role rather than lose the day of shooting. Gordon, to this day, continues to praise Crampton for her bravery in the scene. If a body double has the courage to walk away from a director who, though not famous in the horror industry at the time, was a highly respected stage director hired to handle a $500,000 budgeted script, you should have no anxieties about passing up a nude role in a film being shot for a mere fraction of that budget.
4. Talk to actresses the director has worked with in the past.
First, look for actresses who have been nude in his past work and try to contact them on your own (that is, if you’re being asked to a nude scene in the first place…if you’re not, then you’ll still want to ask around about the filmmaker and people the filmmaker has worked with). If after doing so, you can’t find any, THEN ask him.
The rationale being that if you ask him upfront for references, it’s more than likely he will only direct you to actresses who will give him glowing reviews. Sometimes, actresses will be honest despite their friendship and that’s to be commended (so part of the impetus falls on the shoulders of other actresses out there to be forthright about the director, his behavior, and his product).
Ask the actresses anything you can think of. How were they treated? Were they paid? Did they receive copy? Were they happy with their overall experience?
5. Ask about gore effects.
Sometimes, the “filmmaker” won’t ask you to be naked, but will require a near equivalent. Moreover, let’s face it, horror requires a lot of gore effects and sometimes applying latex prosthetics require an invasion of what is normally considered private space.

So the first thing you want to know is WHO is handling the gore?
If it’s the “filmmaker,” again, be wary. Why would the filmmaker handle the application of prosthetics onto a boob, a thigh, a stomach, or any other body part? Why would they spend the money to hire an actress to get half-naked (or fully naked) but then not spend money on someone who is a specialist in gore effects?
Unless they’ve spent several years working under Tom Savini and are a gore effects expert, there really is no reason for a director to be applying the prosthetics directly onto your body.
Moreover, why would a filmmaker handle the gore effects if they are not handling the application of general makeup? Your mascara will be in more scenes than that bloodied body part will be.
If there’s no makeup artist/gore effects artist to be found. Ask if you can bring your own. Prosthetics are surprisingly easy to apply. If you can apply makeup, you can apply a prosthetic. So offer to bring a friend who can apply both to you (have them practice a couple times before coming to the set so they feel comfortable with whatever materials the filmmaker supplies them with), and pose the issue to the director as you need this person to handle it for “comfort’s sake.” If the filmmaker turns down the offer and you walk away, then you may have escaped a rather uncomfortable situation.
Remember, a true filmmaker – even legitimate softcore and hardcore porn directors – will be more than happy to accommodate you for comfort’s sake (especially if they’ve already offered you the role based on talent).
Ultimately, we are a community.
The horror industry is a community of people with a similar passion – horror films. Which means as fans, as actors, as filmmakers, and as media we must band together to make the community the best that we can so that we all benefit. Fans ought to consider the boycott of filmmakers who take advantage of actresses and actresses ought to inform other actresses of the “questionable” ethics of filmmakers. Moreover, as filmmakers we should support one another in protecting the many, many brave actresses who allow themselves to get cut up, slashed, eaten, torn apart, and mutilated for the pleasure of our fans on a regular basis. This means passing around references regarding actors, PAs, DPs, writers, sound mixers, and makeup artists who can assist us in making great films as well as informing one another to be on the lookout of those who have generated a reputation as sometimes outright abusing the talent.


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'Fifty Shades of Grey': Romantic or raunchy?

Keli Fulton, NewsChannel 5 

The book 50 Shades Of Grey" by E. L. James has the tongues of South Florida women wagging. 

"Risqué,” said one.
“There's a lot of sex in it,” said another. The steamy novel involves a young woman in college and a wealthy businessman. It is flying off store shelves. But why?
"Anything that women get exposed to that's new and naughty can really turn them on,” said Dr. Maureen Whelihan, a sexual medicine expert. 

"It definitely spiced up my life with my boyfriend,” said Nicole Born, who read the book. “You want to push the boundaries. You get so close to the characters and you figure they're doing it and they're trying it and they're liking, it so let's try it." 

While this book is appealing to women of all walks of life, Dr. Whelihan says mothers with children still live at home are especially intrigued by it. One mom of two, who didn't want to be identified, said her sister-in-law has a unique name for the book. "She's like, 'Yeah, it's mommy porn'. I'm like, 'What does that mean?' So that alone piqued my interest. So now I’m like I've got to read it just because I'm curious."

Despite the tantalizing moments, the book is also producing a sense of outrage. Many women feel the heroine in the novel is being reduced to a submissive sex object.
"Your feminists out there are going to say 'How dare you promote this book,’ but these are willing participants. All along the way, this young lady chooses to go another step with this fellow,” said Whelihan. 

For Constance Lawson, the book, along with the second and third installments, enlightened her view of her own marriage. "My marriage, the way he loves her in this book---which is hard to say because you're only looking at book one---you have to go into book two and three to see that,” she said. “ That's how my husband loves me."
"It's that naughty, ‘I have to have you now, I'm craving you and I want you and I need you kind of thing,’” said Whelihan. “So that's romantic."

You have read this article Fifty Shades of Grey / HBO's Girls with the title stars, sex and nudity buzz : 05/9/2012. You can bookmark this page URL http://socratestvblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/stars-sex-and-nudity-buzz-0592012.html. Thanks!