VANESSA COFFEY ON NUDITY RULES

“THE recent allegations made against Noel Clarke left people asking a number of questions about our industry.

“A number of people took to social media to ask whether it was acceptable to be asked to audition naked and in what circumstances that might be allowed. In the Directors UK guidance, to which I contributed, it is clearly outlined that in respect of undressing:

• No full nudity in any audition or call back. If a performer’s body needs to be seen, request bikinis or trunks.

• No semi-nudity in first auditions. If semi-nudity is needed in recalls, give the performer notice so they can bring a chaperone with them who can stay in the room during the session.

• If a recall requires semi-nudity, give the agent and performer 48-hours’ notice and supply the full script. If the project is secret, NDAs covering script content are acceptable.

• If semi-nudity is to be filmed or photographed the production needs to obtain explicit consent for this from the performer in writing.

“That no full nudity is ever required is something I had previously taken for granted. That you’re allowed to have someone with you in the room and that you have to be given notice of it is all entirely reasonable and sensible.

“We have to continue to take steps to ensure actors and crew feel safe and comfortable to do their work and allegations like these highlight the bare minimum to allow that to happen.”