S*x scenes in Hollywood: the uncomfortable and technical truth behind the cameras

Contrary to how natural and erotic it may seem on screen, Hollywood s*x scenes require a great deal of thought, work, and preparation.

And since the subject of love scenes is so personal, those involved have a variety of tricks and techniques up their sleeves to make scenes compelling for the audience and as comfortable as possible for them.

Here are some of the secrets behind the s*x scenes you see on TV and in movies:

N*dity and simulated s*x are described in detail in the actor's contract and are discussed prior to casting.

If you see a n*de actor on screen, it's important to know that the legal contracts outlining the n*dity details were signed before the actor accepted the role.

SAG-AFTRA, the entertainment industry union, designates a n*dity clause as a requirement in contracts for roles that require "n*dity, partial nudity, or simulated s*xual acts."

This document is negotiated by the actor, his representatives and the production team, and within the pilot are detailed descriptions of what the actor is willing to do on screen.

This includes information about the scene, the type of nudity required, limitations on the use of the footage, and any details or terms agreed upon by the actor and producer.

It is not uncommon for a n*dity clause to include minute details such as exactly which body parts are visible, which body part can be seen, and for how long it is displayed.

Although the nudity clause is a contract, SAG-AFTRA reiterates the importance of consent, specifying: "Remember, even if you have signed a nudity clause, you have the right to withdraw consent at any time prior to the shooting of the scene."

If an actor is working on a non-union movie, he is not protected by the union. This is why many actors choose not to do n*dity or simulated s*x in any non-union production.

It is customary to shoot intimate scenes on closed sets to help the actors feel more comfortable.

Productions often shoot on what is known as a "closed set" during the filming of s*x scenes.

Most film and television sets have hundreds of crew members working while shooting a scene. However, during filming on closed sets, the director and actors operate with the minimum number of people necessary.

As outlined in SAG-AFTRA's n*dity clause, actors may request a closed set prior to filming and may add any other special conditions that they and a producer agree upon.

This can include anything from making sure the room is a certain temperature to requesting that non-essential crew members have their backs to you during the shoot.

Many actors say they use humor to lighten the mood on set.

When he worked with Dakota Johnson on 50 Shades Grey, actor Jamie Dornan said that he used humor to lighten the mood.

Many producers and directors understand that watching a s*x scene can be uncomfortable for the audience.

Some directors, like Adrian Lyne (Fatal Attraction), want to keep the possibility of humor open in s*x scenes in hopes of making them more natural and accessible to the audience.

Although often brief, these scenes can also take a long time to shoot.

Although s*x scenes may be brief on screen, they can actually take hours to film, whether it's for makeup touch-ups, director's notes, or lighting changes.

About her work on Love and Other Drugs, Anne Hathaway told Entertainment Weekly in 2010 that it took a long time to film the s*x scenes as her body makeup needed a lot of touch ups.

"...I found that every time she put my robe on, she took all the makeup off my body, and that added another 20 minutes," she told the publication.

Justin Timberlake had a similar story about Right to Touch to the BBC in 2011.