Jasmine Curtis-Smith in “Real Life Fiction” | Image: Black Cap Pictures
In her boldest and most mature role to date in the film “Real Life Fiction,” Jasmine Curtis-Smith expressed her wish that the production teams would look after their actresses and make sure they were comfortable during the intimate scenes.
Curtis-Smith made these remarks on the sidelines of the press conference for Real Life Fiction, alongside Piolo Pascual. The film required her to expose certain body parts and do some daring love scenes – this was her first appearance.
The actress said she practically stepped out of her comfort zone to deliver the performance required for the scene, but she credited the production team for taking care of her while filming her intimate scenes.
She knew that her experience was somewhat contrary to what newcomers Angeli Khang in some of her films, and that’s why it’s important for the production to take care of its actors so that they aren’t exploited, she said.
“I think it depends on the production team as well as the actors saying what they need to be comfortable with. Sometimes the actor or actress doesn’t feel comfortable making a request like that because it might sound demanding, and I completely understand that,” Curtis-Smith explained.
Curtis-Smith said there are situations where a role requires great intimacy and as actors they are obliged to do their best, so it is best to put it behind them.
“Kasi alam naman natin na ayun ‘yung mga request of film or ng storya (we already know that this is the requirement for the film or the story), so gawin na natin diba (so let’s stick to it),” said the “In My Mother’s Skin” star.
On the other hand, the intimacy coordinator in charge must establish certain rules, such as limiting the number of people who observe the intimate scenes.
Ultimately, Curtis-Smith said, she hopes Khang will find the strength to ask anything that makes her feel safe on set.
“I’m sorry she felt so uncomfortable, but I really hope that in the future she will find the courage to ask for these things, or that her management, the production team, will take this step without her having to ask,” she said.
Khang recently made headlines when she admitted that she felt “taken advantage of” while filming love scenes for Vivamax films because her co-actors were often particularly passionate towards her.
Your revelation has raised the alarm with the party list group Gabriela, who called for the protection of women in the entertainment industry and described her sometimes unpleasant experiences while filming love scenes as “an expression of the pervasive exploitation to which women are still exposed.”
When asked how she made sure she felt comfortable during the saucy scenes in her new film, Curtis-Smith said she was lucky because her production team helped her.
“When it comes to filming intimate scenes, it’s usually what’s requested or what the protocol says. The standard procedure is to have an intimacy coordinator on set as often as possible, if allowed. I can set a budget (if there is a budget). I’m very lucky,” she said.
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“Our assistant director was also a woman; I didn’t really have to ask for an intimacy coordinator and at the same time, there was a certain level of familiarity because I had worked with Paul Soriano on several projects. I really didn’t have to ask him ‘Uy paano natin to gagawin’ (How are we going to do this?) because I knew he would be very protective of me too,” she further said, referring to her film director.
“Real Life Fiction” will be in local theaters on August 28th.
