Life's nude scenes
20 August 2010
Do you ever hear something totally weird, but discover you can somehow relate?
James Marsden was on The View last Tuesday (you find yourself watching some odd things when you have a newborn) to promote his latest movie. I had a massive crush on him back in middle school when he was on the show Second Noah (I think that’s what it was called) so I stuck around to see what he had to say.
One of the ladies asked James about a comment he’s made in the past about being willing to do nude scenes in comedies but not in dramas. He explained that, for whatever reason, he feels more comfortable “putting it all out there” as something to be laughed at rather than something to be taken seriously.
I don’t even feel comfortable stripping down to my swimsuit at the city pool, so the thought of doing any kind of nude scene is what my nightmares are made of. But I somehow really understand what James means.
I think whatever it is making him feel that way is the same thing I experienced back when I was unpublished and felt reluctant to tell people I was working full-time as a writer in hopes of being published. Instead I made jokes about it. I didn’t want people thinking I took myself too seriously. I didn’t want people to know how much I wanted it, how much rejections crushed me.
Or like about six weeks ago, when my friend, Kelli, saw me crying at church and followed me back to the bathroom. Instead of answering specifically what was wrong with me, I kept everything vague. Kelli’s a close friend. She doesn’t mind dealing with my junk, just like I don’t mind dealing with hers.
Until then, I considered myself quite comfortable with my emotions. I mean, I’m a writer. We’re a people comfortable with being vulnerable, right? We understand that when we dig deep into our own insecurities and put them on the page, magic happens.
It wasn’t until I walked away from church that day – frustrated with myself for not being more specific when I talked to Kelli – that I realized I have a problem being serious with people. Want to talk it out on e-mail? Sure. I can do that easy. But those eyeball-to-eyeball conversations do not come easily to me.
- Skimming what I just wrote *
Okay, when I started out talking about James Marsden and nude scenes, I didn’t really foresee this entry getting so serious. Kinda makes me uncomfortable. And makes me think I should suck it up and post it.
Have a great weekend everybody!
Comments
Yeah, I’m not articulate at all so the backspace key is real handy.
Posted by Stephanie Morrill on 20 August 2010
First, the title of this post is going to mean you get a zillion hits on your blog.
Second, you’re so right, and so is Roseanna…there’s no backspace in real life. How many times have I wanted to go back and edit something I’ve said, tweak it, make it better?
Posted by erica vetsch on 20 August 2010
I’m the same way. I think it’s because I know there’s no backspace button in real life. Once you say something, it’s said.
Of course, I have no problem whining in emails either. =) Gotta get it out somehow, but I, too, prefer a faceless method. One where I can delete a sentence if I don’t like it.
Hence why we whine so well to each other, I suppose. =)
Posted by Roseanna White on 20 August 2010