Actors

I've been curious about this for the longest time.

I'm sure you guys know how drama shows like Degrassi have homosexual characters in them. Not that it matters, because I don't care what people are, but do you think they're homosexual in real life? Additionally, if they're not, do you think it's a bit weird for them when they have to do same gender kissing scenes? (Nothing overly sexual, just some light kissing.)

 

The guy who played Marco is I think.

 

Looks like he is. Confirmed here.

 

From what little experience I have in acting, I can still say pretty safely that same-sex kissing scenes are just something you get over if you find them weird. At the end of the day, the characters are kissing, or doing whatever, not the actors themselves. Same would go for homosexual actors asked to do straight roles.
At the end of the day, an actor's job is to be somebody else. What that character does doesn't affect them.

 

Technically speaking, the actors are doing it because it's their lips that are touching.

However, overall I agree. I'm straight, and, personally, if I were an actor and I was asked to kiss another straight guy for a scene, it wouldn't bother me. I was just wondering if maybe it's a bit weird for some actors, especially if it's two straight actors. For example, when in Paris in Degrassi (season 13), Tristan (portrayed by Lyle Lettau), who's gay, was attracted to Miles (portrayed by Eric Osborne), who's straight. Tristan lost control of his inhibitions when at a restaurant or something (I don't remember exactly what) and gave a quick kiss to Miles on the lips.

The actors are 19 (Lyle) and 16 (Eric) years old, which leads me to another question: How far do the those age of consent laws go? Like, someone who is 18 years old or older cannot have sex with someone who is 17 years old or younger, but does that include kissing?

 

When they are doing the act of kissing, they are portraying people different to who they themselves are. They are that character, instead of themselves.
You may feel differently, but that's because you aren't an actor. Actors have no responsibility for the actions their character undertakes. A good example of this would be John Barrowman, whom is entirely homosexual, while his character Jack Harkness from Doctor Who is pansexual, flirting with and very happy to kiss anyone of any sapient species if they're interested in him.
It's more a matter of perspective though. I'm sure there's some very talented actors that aren't willing to have same- or opposite-sex contact in that way, but as a generalisation I would say it's just something you get over.

 

I may have worded that wrong. If you take two heterosexual actors and make their characters homosexual and have them kiss, the two people that are kissing in said scene are doing that because that's who their characters are, not who the actors are. However, it's still the actors that are kissing each other on camera.

Hope I worded myself better, but let me know.

 

Straight actors play gay characters all the time, just like gay actors play straight characters. It's acting. It shouldn't matter what you really are or who you're really playing.
The actor who play Will in "Will and Grace" (Eric McCormack), is straight in real life, and Michael C. Hall plays a gay character in the show "Six Feet Under"
Conversely, Ian McKellen, who is very openly gay (and generally awesome) plays straight characters. Would that be seen as wrong? No. It's just acting.

Like Darktraitor said, they're just portraying characters. Anyone who has a problem with that needs to get their facts checked.

 

I don't have a problem with it at all, just so you know. :) I was just curious if some actors, despite knowing they're just acting, maybe get a little nervous / uncomfortable / whatever about it.

 

I know you well enough Amaury to know that you have no problems with it at all, and was just genuinely curious about it. Don't worry. It's just something I had to voice out since some people find a problem with it.

 

I know. :) I was mostly saying it in case someone else misunderstood me.

 

they're getting paid and its their profession of choice so i doubt they think anything of it

 

Granted, I'm not exactly heterosexual, but for me it was always easier to kiss a girl onstage (like really light improv kissing), especially if I knew she was straight, since it took the 'but what if they're attracted to me and I can't reciprocate' edge off the situation for me. But that just might be my problem and not the common point of view.

 

Most actors have a way of distancing themselves from the emotions of their character.

 

Good point.

Like this guy, for example, had a major homosexual role in Degrassi, but is straight in real life. He most likely thought nothing of it with his character's boyfriend, just as you said.

It's the same deal with the actor that plays his boyfriend.

 

Unless the actor in question is Johnny Depp.

 

In which case it's the character's job to be him.

 

I wish I could give an intellectual input but the question's been answered.

 

I always thought about this but more with just general sex scenes. However, I think they have to view it as a job- something to put dinner on the table and even enjoy. Some actors will have problems with it and I'm sure they will be warned before auditioning for a part so they are fully aware (just like if they are okay with partial nudity) so if they are uncomfortable then they don't have to do it. If they have been playing a part for a while and all of a sudden asked to do something of the sort then they are free to voice their objections and hopefully they will be helped through it or it would be got around somehow.