Sex scene for opening scene ?

Randall_Oelerich

Randall_Oelerich

Veteran
If an opening sex scene is completely germaine to the plot/story, is it okay to open a screenplay with such a scene? Or would a hw reader look at that as thinking the writer is trying to cheap out by using sex? Not porn, but an opening sex scene involving a married couple trying to conceive-- because the need to have a child is germaine to the story. Kept low key, I simply want to show the couple doing the deed or rather finishes the deed, then brief dialog exposition about why, i.e. trying to conceive a child.
 
I'm all for it, but consider that your audience is in no way invested in these people when you thrust this situation upon them. Heh... thrust.

e
 
I agree! The more Sex and Nudity before the opening credits, the more likely I am to watch something. Like the Tudors on Starz for example... that show has more T&A during the opening credits than most movies have in their entirety.
 
It was used in Basic Instinct, but I can not think of too many other movies that put sex in an opening scene. I am not thinking of intense sex for my opening, just a enough to show the viewer that this is a married couple doing it for the sake of trying to conceive-- so finishing the deed, then some exposition dialog, then cut to a scene at the fertility doctor, etc. So maybe it would work if done tastefully?

Capt Quirk said:
I agree! The more Sex and Nudity before the opening credits, the more likely I am to watch something. Like the Tudors on Starz for example... that show has more T&A during the opening credits than most movies have in their entirety.
Click to expand...
 
Black Snake Moan started with a pretty intense sex scene, and it didn't take away from the movie at all. In fact that sex scene layed the basis for half the plot of the movie.
 
Sure why not- it gets the reader and the viewers attention. Especially if it's really hot or shocking in some way *and* key to the plot. Otherwise it's just exploitation or porn. Which have their place too of course but know what you are aiming for.

-Noah
 
Randall_Oelerich said:
If an opening sex scene is completely germaine to the plot/story, is it okay to open a screenplay with such a scene? Or would a hw reader look at that as thinking the writer is trying to cheap out by using sex? Not porn, but an opening sex scene involving a married couple trying to conceive-- because the need to have a child is germaine to the story. Kept low key, I simply want to show the couple doing the deed or rather finishes the deed, then brief dialog exposition about why, i.e. trying to conceive a child.
Click to expand...

Keep in mind that while some will relish sex and nudity wherever it's found, others will be completely turned off by a sex scene, especially if it is gratuitous, and that may hurt sales.

A sex scene isn't necessary to convey that a married couple is trying to conceive a child. So it's not a question of whether or not sex is germaine to creating a child -- it's whether a sex scene is a necessary vehicle for plot development. What does such a scene show/tell the audience that a different scene cannot do as effectively?

There's another discussion thread going on here with a writer wanting to write a so-called 'normal' gay character. It's been said, quite correctly in my opinion, that making a character gay simply to shock people is bad storytelling. I believe inserting a sex scene simply for the sake of having a sex scene is also bad storytelling.

Just my 2 pesos.
 
I would have to agree with Chapel on this one. For research sake, I've had this conversation with plenty of other non-industry types aka those who would make up the audience and many are soooooo over the tits and arse approach to movie making. It's hot when there has been a build-up, a lure for the audience where they have become invested somewhat in the character but putting sex scenes in just for the sake of sex scenes are starting to turn people off from what I can gather and I would have to agree with them. There is nothing more annoying then when I'm trying to watch a movie and a sex or nude scene just pops up, it's jarring but not in a good way, it's because it is out of place and provokes the "where the hell did that come from"? response as it doesn't make sense (and a movie should always make some sort of sense) and ends up equating to nothing more than soft porn. This is my response and I'm not exactly a prude. People what their minds stimulated as well. It's the whole, women want to *be* like the main female character, men what to *be with* the main female character catch-call, but it's true and you generally have to build up to that.

You really need to answer these questions:

Who is your audience for this film? Gender? Age? Likely relationship status/experience? etc.
What is its genre?
What is it about?

Is it about a King that uses women at his pleasure than disposes of them when he tires of them? No? The copying the Tudor approach is not a reasonable example to follow.

Does you film follow similar premise to Basic Instinct? No? Then that is not a reasonable example to follow either.


Writers, in general, do not write for themselves - novels, scripts, whatever, are meant to be enjoyed by someone else.

You need to answer these questions and know your audience first and then they should dictate whether you put it in or not.
 
Last edited:
I'll have to consider all viewpoints. I might just decide to skip a love-making scene and cut right to the G/PG scene with the couple seeing a fertility doctor. The sex scene could be kept real low key though, maybe not even sex per se, just a bedroom scene with the couple post-coital underneath the sheets, talking, etc.-- a compromise.
 
if it's just for screenplay purposes, u might want to think of putting it in just so it starts off with some energy to it. and if it doesn't work, there's always editing it out. magic of post, u can just make things not happen anymore
 
Randall_Oelerich said:
I'll have to consider all viewpoints. I might just decide to skip a love-making scene and cut right to the G/PG scene with the couple seeing a fertility doctor. The sex scene could be kept real low key though, maybe not even sex per se, just a bedroom scene with the couple post-coital underneath the sheets, talking, etc.-- a compromise.
Click to expand...

What would you rather do? Make love with a smokin' hot, Sharon Stone (1992 version) type babe or sit in a doctor's office?

The sex scene wouldn't be gratuitous at all if the movie is about fertility.

Although, if you plan this as an animated movie it might be wise to skip it. Cartoon characters having sex is yucky.
 
People's behavior during sex can be used to convey a great deal about their personalities and their relationship. And you can certainly convey a sex scene without exposing any skin, at all.

Neither the sex-for-sex's-sake nor the shrinking-in-fear-and-disgust-from-any-hint-of-sexuality philosophies have any merit, at all. The propriety of showing your characters in this way has to be determined by the characters themselves, and the story you are telling.

Some number of people will reflexively shrink from sex, or anything to do with it, and advise that you must do the same, as some will cheer to jam it in whether it's helpful to your narrative, or not. Pretty obviously, one of your responsibilities as the writer is to make your own judgment.
 
chapelgrovefilms said:
A sex scene isn't necessary to convey that a married couple is trying to conceive a child. So it's not a question of whether or not sex is germaine to creating a child -- it's whether a sex scene is a necessary vehicle for plot development.
Click to expand...
And I'm going to disagree with you on this. If the wife has her legs straight up in the air, checking her watch and her temperature during sex, that is a classic "I'm trying all the tricks in the book to get pregnant" thing. Prior to that, she should have checked her calender for her optimum days. Or, if you show her poking pin holes in all of his condoms prior to sex, that would also cement the scenario. It's all in how you approach the scene.
 
There's also that masterpiece, A Smile Like Yours, starring Greg Kinnear and Lauren Holly as a couple you'd never, ever believe could be intimate. What a crapfest. Except for the scenery... which looked very good if I do say so myself.

e
 
If sex isn't related to conception then nothing is.

I don't think there's a real question here. Obviously sex scenes work and catch interest -- it's such a strong visual situation that it does NOT need to serve the story directly. The real question is how do you write a sex scene and then how do you film it?

I'd like to share a scene from one of my scripts with a sex scene. Here goes:

INT. BEDROOM -- MORNING

They make love.
 
yeah- you could present it in so many different ways from hard core or r-rated to something very cute and PG like laughing and moaning from behind a bedroom door. But I think it's a good thing and certainly appropriate to this particular concept.

Noah
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top