From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

In Hollywood, there's a protective clause for both male and female actors: when filming nude and intimate scenes, the director must obtain the actor's consent. Even decisions about using body doubles and the extent of their involvement are entirely in the actor's hands; they can refuse at any time.

Of course, the power dynamics between producers and directors pressuring unknown actors are another matter. There are many times when actors don't have the power to say no, but that's a separate, complex situation.

At least, on the set, the initiative and the right to refuse lie with the actors.

Every actor, regardless of age, status, or gender, possesses this right and can refuse to film intimate or nude scenes at any time. This is explicitly required by the actors' union to be included in all contracts.

In 1976, Marlon Brando and director Bernardo Bertolucci, while filming "Last Tango in Paris," filmed a transgressive intimate scene without informing the inexperienced young actress Maria Schneider.

They deliberately deviated from the script, engaging in bold and explicit actions in a realistic manner, which terrified Maria Schneider. The camera faithfully recorded this moment.

After the film's release, it faced overwhelming criticism. Countless industry professionals widely regarded it as one of the most infamous scenes ever filmed. Although Marlon and Bernardo held extremely high positions in the industry, and it was back in 1976, their careers weren't severely impacted, but this stain accompanied them throughout their subsequent careers.

Now, the "Butterfly Effect" is similar.

Mackie and Eric's insistence, along with Rachel's agreement, led to a perfect accord.

Thus, they arrived here, both sitting on the edge of the bed in bathrobes, looking at each other with shyness and restraint.

In fact, the reason Rachel agreed was that the scene was simple.

An intimate scene, no nudity required. Rachel would be completely covered by the bedsheets, only revealing her shoulders. There wouldn't even be any back nudity, making it no different from acting in an off-the-shoulder evening gown, because Mackie and Eric insisted that the focus of this scene wasn't on exploiting suggestive gimmicks, but on showcasing the chemistry between Evan and Keller.

Everything was solely for the sake of the film, not to create sensationalism.

Therefore, Rachel agreed.

However, thinking is one thing, and practice is another. The scene of actually sitting on the edge of the bed in bathrobes with another male actor, with an ambiguous and passionate atmosphere swirling in the air, was still inevitably awkward.

Anyway, for Rachel, this was her first time.

She thought she was mentally prepared, but in reality, she needed more preparation.

"…It's my first time. If I make mistakes, please guide me," Anson's voice came from beside her, and Rachel suddenly looked up.

Then, Rachel saw the frank and bright smile on Anson's face.

She was taken aback. "It's your first time?"

Anson shrugged lightly. "Strictly speaking, I had some experience while filming 'Catch Me If You Can,' but Steven filmed it more in a joking and playful manner, not truly focusing on intimate scenes. He and Tom were very conservative in that regard, so there wasn't an ambiguous atmosphere on set, more like an academic research environment. You wouldn't have all sorts of fantasies in your mind."

Rachel: "So, you're having fantasies now?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Rachel regretted it. She didn't know how that sentence had slipped out.

Anson: "Occasionally. Not to everyone."

The subtext was…

Rachel slightly opened her mouth, feeling a dryness in her throat, but this time, she didn't avert her gaze. Instead, she looked directly into Anson's eyes—

If Rachel didn't understand at this moment that Anson was easing the tension and setting the atmosphere to prepare for filming, she would be too foolish.

Therefore, she couldn't avert her gaze. She needed to follow Anson's guidance to enter the scene and get into character; not only that, but she also needed to be more proactive.

In the storyline, Evan is insecure, but Keller isn't.

Keller doesn't know what Evan has experienced in parallel universes. She is a sunny girl who hasn't suffered any harm. Rachel needs to show her sweetest side, allowing the audience to feel that Keller truly loves Evan.

In other words, in this scene, Rachel needs to be more proactive.

Thus.

Raising her eyes, Rachel looked at Anson, and immediately saw that clear blue, focused and deeply in love, gazing at her. Her face was reflected in the depths of his pupils, which made Rachel pause, just like that—

Falling.

As if lost in that blue, those words, those meanings, that ambiguity wrapped around her soul like smoke, slowly falling.

Rachel felt a little shy.

She still hadn't fully entered the state, averting her gaze with slight panic and tension, tucking the scattered strands of hair behind her ears with restraint, only realizing her ears were burning hot when she accidentally touched her skin.

She glanced at Anson again.

Anson was still looking at her affectionately and attentively, unwavering and wholeheartedly. The bright blue was like a flowing stream, and she could see golden sunlight dancing above the water. Before she realized it, her heartbeat was already a mess.

Lowering her eyelids to hide her expression, she raised them again after a short half-second. In the tug-of-war between emotion and reason, reason had already abandoned its armor and collapsed.

Then.

Falling in that deep blue, continuing to fall.

Heartbeat, a roaring sound.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The sound came from her eardrums. Rachel couldn't hear the voices of others at all, vaguely seeming to hear the director instructing them to lie down on the bed. She couldn't be one hundred percent certain, and she lay down as if possessed, even entering the role before hearing the command to start filming.

So, was she Rachel, or Keller?

Or rather, she was both Rachel and Keller.

Silently, she was lost in the splendor of the blossoming flowers.

Huff, huff.

Heavy, rough breathing came from the room, seemingly the sound of the final sprint. The camera was aimed at the air, unable to capture any actual movements, only grabbing the details of those breaths and collisions from the microphone. Even though nothing could be seen, it made people unable to stop imagining.

In the entire room, there was only one lamp, the orange light ambiguously and hazily supporting a corner. Hot and scorching sweat permeated the air, causing even the halo of the light to become blurred.

Until, everything ended.

The camera slowly moved, and then two figures could be seen tightly embracing, the lines of their bodies outlined by the sheets, already soaked with sweat.