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Alex by David Vance
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Wednesday, August 18, 2021
To Nude, or Not to Nude?
I know most of the readers of FH love movie male nudity. I love following the on-screen skinning of actors, the trends, the surprises, the differences over the decades. If we're honest though, we know that really great movies, those movies that we collect and watch again and again, don't really need it. My movie collection, from collecting DVD's through digital, includes many films with little to no nudity. A quick glance at my collection includes classics like Star Wars, Jaws and The Wizard of Oz. Holiday films like Love Actually and Miracle on 34th St. Films directed by Hitchcock, Donner, Lucas and Spielberg.
There are a handful of great films, where the nudity either enhanced, or made the film better. The skinning dipping scene in A Room With A View, is the fist one that comes to mind. The skinning dipping scene wasn't necessary needed, but it was like a playful intermission, a brief visual escape which made the film even better. I also can't imagine watching Shame without Michael Fassbender's nude scenes, especially at the beginning of the film. They were shocking for a mainstream film, but really helped define the character. Without them, the audience would have felt something was kept from them, something audiences generally don't appreciate. Director Steve McQueen wisely put Fassbender's frontal's at the beginning of the film, getting the needed element out of the way once Brandon was introduced to the audience.
So so films however, are a different story. There are so many films I saw, and didn't really like, that I ended up buying or watching again, only because of a scene of male skin. I've watched the original Jaws several times. I've watched each of the sequels, just once. Had Jaw 2 included a butt scene from actor Mark Gruner, or Jaws 3D, a skinning dip scene with Dennis Quaid, I may have actually bought them on DVD, but when they hit the sales bin of course...
Although I'd love to seen more Mark Hamill skin, there was no need for Luke Skywalker to walk around naked in Star Wars. The prequels however, could used a dosage of derriere. I hated all three of the prequels and barely got through one viewing. If however, Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor or Liam Neeson had dropped their Jedi robes, even for a second, they may have warranted a closer look.
I have bought, although not kept, so many so-so and even bad movies over the last twenty years, mostly because of brief scenes of male nudity. It was especially common in the 80's and 90's to throw in a quick male butt to garner additional promotion. These two decades were filled with 'sex' comedies, with virtually no sex, but just enough skin to get horney movie viewers attention. These scenes may not have proved to increase box office in any substantial way, but they did increase profits, especially with future video and DVD releases.
Who really would have watched The Blue Lagoon without the nudity from Christopher Atkins. We all nude Brooke Shields nudity was a body double, but we saw all of Atkins. They story was really not that compelling, and could have been told in a page or two. The acting was not really great either, but it didn't matter. I was obsessed with seeing the film when I was a kid. I knew of the nudity long before I was able to get my hands on a VHS copy. I re-watched the film, those scene over and over. I bought a couple of DVD's over the years, the original release, the special edition and the digital release. I know I'm the only one who watched again, hoping that Randal Kleiser might have slipped in a surprise.
I could list hundreds of movies who's success and reputation was based on the addition of a little skin. Those few seconds of Sean Astin's ass are the only reason I DVR Toy Solders, when I see it's airing on the movie channel. I wonder then, why some movies missed their opportunity for additional promotion and increased video and DVD sales. There are some pretty bad movies, that could have been improved with a bit of male butt. This entire piece, is actually based on seeing part of a recent film. I say part, as the movie didn't really hold my interest, even though the male cast members certainly did. See which movie I'm I'm talking about by checking out the next page HERE:
Jonathan Pointing in Plebs
'It actually feels like I'm naked all the time! '
English writer, actor and comedian Jon Pointing knew when he joined Plebs (2018-2019) that there would be nude scenes, but he tried not to worry about too much. Jon hoped it would be like any other part of a new job, just something you got used after awhile.
Jon Pointing, British Comedy Guide
I only recently discovered Pointing, and Plebs, but I must say, I love his look, and I really love the wobble. I've only seen a couple of episodes but the nudity is both sexy and fun, and Pointing an incredibly engaging and talented actor.
'The first nude scene I shot was with all three of us, we were naked walking through town. I think it actually makes it easier when we're all naked! It was a really nice day and there were loads of extras there but no one was really bothered about the fact everything was hanging out. It's just another day at the office for them, everyone's used to it. It is the thing that people have nightmares about, turning up to work with no clothes on, but it's all in the spirit of the silliness of the show.'
'PLEBS follows three desperate young men from the suburbs as they try to get laid, hold down jobs, and climb the social ladder in the big city - a city that happens to be Ancient Rome'
Skin in the Game: Alex by David Vance
'I probably first noticed Alex's red hair and pale skin.'
My affinity for gingers started when I was just a kid. I was drawn to an older guy who lived a few streets away in the subdivision I grew up in. It wasn't however his russet hair that initially drew me to him. I didn't know for sure he was a ginger at first as he was usually wearing a baseball hat backwards on his head. The bit of hair I could see looked more a light brown than an orange or red.
What attracted me to him was his skin. He was usually playing hoops in his driveway, and most of time he was shirtless. I rode my bike, and walked my dog by his home as often as possible. I was fascinated by his beautiful pale skin, his freckles and bit of auburn hair on his arms and legs. My fascination with gingers was cemented and remains strongly intact to this day.
When photographer David Vance sent on his work with model Alex Espenshade, those memories came flooding back. Alex has great facial structure and an incredible body, but it was his beautiful skin my eyes were drawn to first. The color contrast between hair and skin is often visually compelling, but exceptionally so with gingers. I especially love David's shots which capture the tuft of hair peaking out from Alex's grey sweat pants.
David also has an affinity for gingers, something I'm sure played a part in his reaching out to Alex with a DM on Instagram. Very little planning or discussion was required, Alex was aware of David's work and quickly responded he was up for a shoot.
'My shoot with Alex was kind of easy-breezy. No drama; he was very agreeable and easy to work with. His personality is very up and open. I love photographing all types of skin for different reasons, but pale skin, to me photographs like marble, giving the body a more sculptural, flawless look. '
The Maryland born model and actor started out working as a production assistant at a construction company, but soon decided it was time to move west to pursue his dreams of becoming an actor. Like so many, when Alex landed in LA he didn't really know anybody, so because networking in an attempt to make some connections. Those early connections led to Alex doing some modeling, something he hadn't really even considered before. Once he had created a decent portfolio however, modeling offers quickly followed. Alex continues to pursue his acting dreams sees his look and hair color as an asset. Unlike the many blonde and dark haired young actors he a auditions with, Alex see that his red hair sets him apart allowing him to leave a more memorable impression.
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