SAG-AFTRA is scolding HBO for taking so long to rectify the Westworld sex scandal, in which more than 50 extras were told they’d have to perform simulated sex acts on camera.
A consent form promulgated by Central Casting, which cast extras for the sci-fi series, said the extras would be required to take part in “graphic sexual situations,” including “genital-to-genital touching” and simulated “oral sex with hand-to-genital touching.”
HBO issued a statement blaming Central Casting
, saying the consent form “was not requested, written or approved by HBO, Warner Bros. Television, or the producers, and contains situations that we do not require of any actor. We are rectifying immediately the discrepancies in this vendor’s document with our actual on-set practices, which provide a professional and comfortable working environment for all performers.”
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SAG-AFTRA, however, is wondering why it took HBO so long to rectify the situation. “SAG-AFTRA sent the consent form to HBO [Tuesday] afternoon and requested that the document be changed to more accurately reflect the contractual provisions,” a union spokesperson said. “HBO had every opportunity to rectify this situation, and it was only after their direct refusal to remedy this that we posted the notice on our website. The union is very pleased to hear that HBO is doing the right thing now, but it is disappointing that we had to take such public measures to ensure compliance with our contracts and protect our background actors.”
Related ‘Westworld’ First Trailer: HBO Teases Series With Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris




why and who cares?? the actors are willing and they are being paid…
Agreed
More over… I think it’s actually incredibly responsible and reasonable behavior for a production company. To me, this says: “We’re doing a very sexually explicit scene, let’s make sure that everyone involved knows what they are getting into before hand. This way nobody can be surprised, and we won’t have any problems.” I don’t buy that this is unfair because people feel compelled to do the work. These aren’t regular’s on the show from what we can tell… these are day player extras who should have no problem saying they aren’t comfortable doing the work.
Are you guys insane?
So now I guess every woman who wants to be an actress in Hollywood will have to perform oral sex on the producers or take part in orgies on camera with sexual partners not of their own choosing in order to have any chance at advancing their careers.
I guess America really has become Rome all over again. Same Republic, same “Founding Father” cult, same decadence, just put some togas on and start calling for bloodsports, oh wait, we’ve already got that!
Instead of togas, our Senators wear suits, and I guess our gladiator games and orgies just take place on television, so that makes it different somehow right?
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
– Ecclesiastes, ~935 B.C.
Breathe. That’s not what anyone is saying at all. The consent form stated up front what the work would require before they agreed to do it. That’s why they call it a consent form. No harm, no foul if they decide not to skip the gig.
Your comment perfectly illustrates the blindness this exposes. A lot of people would work in a poisoned, cancer causing swamp for a paycheck, too. Do you think those conditions should be permitted?
I’m afraid to hear your answer….
Right on!
Clarice, the poison swamp you describe sounds life-threatening. These people aren’t in any kind of danger unless you count potential STDs from unauthorized bouts of just-the-tip.
yes, because nudity=cancer.
This whole “controversy” is pretty dumb.
Here in Europe we’re laughing at it pretty hard.
Yeah?… we know you laugh at a lot of little things “pretty hard”!
By “we” I assume you mean you and your only friend, a cheese toastie.
That’s why we left about 240 years ago…
I’m sorry…are you familiar with the concept of a labor union? Of course there are always going to be people willing to XYZ to support themselves, that’s the reason something like SAG exists to keep workers from being taken advantage of. If YOU personally don’t care about background actors, maybe don’t read this article and keep scrolling?
Simon
Yes, you are sorry.. Labor unions still fail to get actors and writers paid for their work. The industry as a group is still known for “Creative Accounting” methods that would make Bernie Madoff blush.
Any producers reading this, I’m just kidding.. ;)
To be honest? I thought my audition rocked. Sadly, the person I was grinding against with my genitals tried to steal focus with an improvised orgasm.
Who knew Westworld would have an orgy in it?
Westworld was like Fantasy Island with robots. There’s probably a Roman World in the adult amusement venue.
There was in the movie – the robots go crazy and have a massive orgy – probably that scene – or just some sweet gen on gen touching for the gag reel
i’m in. will hbo take a check?
Stop chasing headlines and get us our residuals!
Amen to that!
Best PR ever for 600 bucks x 20
Nice work if you can get it. By the way, I’m available.
But rape and torture are ok…
SAG-AFTRA continues to expose what a joke they are. Worry about our residuals and productions continuing to kill the middle class actor wage. Go after MTV who pays series stars shamefully little. Buyouts, $100 dollar a day SAG signatory productions, the list goes on and on… This “Westworld” production seems to have gone above and beyond to make all parties informed and comfortable with a sexually explicit scripted scene and paid substantially above scale for it. What’s the controversy again? Stop wasting resources better used on real membership issues!
Your kiddin’ right? If anything it’s the opposite. For once they actually did something.
You’re kidding, right? HBO says, “hey we’re filming an orgy scene, so if you decide to take the gig, you’ll need to act like you’re, you know, at an ORGY.” Jebus.
I’ve been in film since the 1960s. Orgy is just another four letter word. Filmed many, never heard a complaint from cast or crew. Y0re mileage will vary. Jebus kids.. get a clue..
To those commenting who don’t think this is a big deal, my first question to you is “Have you ever worked as a background actor on a film or television set?”
Many. Not all. Not even most, background actors are young, inexperienced and impressionable. They believe that, by doing background work, they will be “discovered” and that it will lead to large roles and make their career.
Yes, sometimes nudity is required for a background actor. I’ve done it. But to ask a background actor to sign a “consent” form that they are okay with genital to genital touching, etc. is a strict health violation. Unless the production provides a STD clinic on site to test every performer (highly unlikely), the “consent” form is merely a cover by the casting agency to avoid litigation. Also, the “consent” form does not specifically state that a background actor can freely terminate his or her participation whenever they feel uncomfortable. A right given to Union background actors.
What’s more, none of this even applies to non-union background actors, which would more than likely be more than half of the 50 mentioned in the article. A SAG-AFTRA representative was present to monitor the situation and to answer questions of its union members. I hope that representative also went out of his or her way to protect the non-union actors. The ones who are truly at risk to being pressured into something they are uncomfortable with.
And, yes, they are getting paid. $600 by many accounts. A normal “day-player” who might have only one line and wouldn’t have to perform genital to genital contact makes over $900 in a standard day and receives residual checks after that.
So, yes, technically they are getting paid and they “know what they’re getting themselves into” but that is not an excuse by either a casting agency or production company to exploit workers, many of whom are normally getting minimum wage for 12+ hours per day.
“genital to genital touching, etc. is a strict health violation.”
Exactly, it is amazing how many people are glossing over that requirement. Putting your or someone else’s health in jeopardy is not worth any amount of money.
thank you. shocking how few deadline readers understand the issue here… i thought this was an industry news website. oh, wait, yeah, i forgot what this industry is like most of the time…
Is anyone really surprised that HBO’s head pervs like to put graphic sex acts in their shows, especially after the success of Game of Thrones?
why
classic hollywood
Extras did graphic sex scenes and full nudity in the orgy in True Detective season 2. Not to mention every episode of Spartacus, but that was filmed in NZ.
Nothing like free publicity.
I was cut from the first group of extras, because I couldn’t “fit” within the frame.
I too am a bit wider these days.. My condolences..
Westworld sounds like it will, uh, suck.
Westworld will not suck.
I suspect massive ratings due to these strong, motivated background actors/actresses. I’ve filmed orgies in the past, (Mainstream film) and everyone was glad to get the work, B/G actors included. The only downside anyone complained about, the beer was not as cold as it could have been. The whole issue is just for the PR. (IMHO)
It will be the most watched new HBO series in years thanks to all of the moral furor. The BG I talked to about were pretty into it – especially at the much higher rate. Funny how sex infuriates so many, yet show graphic murder and mayhem and the same folks don’t even make a peep.
Don’t want the role because of sex? Don’t audition. Don’t like gratuitous sex on TV? Don’t watch it.
Ah HBO the go to place for all your softcore porn needs. Seriously, the original film wasn’t even explicit in terms of sex.
You know what HBO, just don’t stop there, make it unsimulated and show all those jizz flying here and there. Why hold back!?! Go all the way!
The original was from a different era. As you know, Westworld is a 1973 science fiction western-thriller film written and directed by novelist Michael Crichton and produced by Paul Lazarus III about amusement park robots that malfunction after a power surge and begin killing visitors. It stars Yul Brynner as an android in a futuristic Western-themed amusement park, and Richard Benjamin and James Brolin as guests of the park. It clearly does not compare to the 1972 release of the Mitchell Brothers “Behind The Green Door”. In today’s market, “R” rated movies are everywhere, and “Hard R” on all major cable channels. I fail to see a problem.. Butt, nice PR effort, eh?
How did Game Of Thrones and True Blood make sure actors were aware of nudity and possible sex scenes?
Probably the same way every production does. I received a script whenever I was recruited for any part.