Partners of actors often experience a range of emotions when their significant other has kissing scenes. Understanding and communication are key to navigating this aspect of an actor's career.
Understanding the Partner's Perspective
Many partners find kissing scenes challenging. It's natural to feel some discomfort or jealousy witnessing your partner engage in intimate scenes with another person. This is perfectly normal. The provided reference emphasizes the importance of empathy: "Put yourself in their shoes." Ignoring or dismissing these feelings can damage the relationship.
Strategies for Managing Discomfort
- Open Communication: Honest and open conversations are crucial. Partners should express their feelings without judgment or blame. Actors can explain the professional nature of the scene and reassure their partner of their commitment.
- Setting Boundaries: Establishing clear boundaries with scene partners can ease anxieties. This might involve discussing intimacy levels beforehand or agreeing on specific physical limitations.
- Prioritizing the Relationship: The reference highlights the importance of prioritizing the relationship: "If the relationship is a priority for you, then set mature boundaries with your scene partner outside of the intimate scene." This indicates that focusing on the couple's bond can alleviate some of the discomfort.
- Trust and Understanding: Building a strong foundation of trust and mutual understanding is vital. Partners need to trust each other and understand the demands of the acting profession.
Examples
- A partner might choose to avoid watching the scene altogether.
- Another partner might discuss their feelings beforehand, and then watch the scene together afterwards, engaging in debriefing.
