Intimacy Coordinator Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of Nude Prosthetics in 28 Years Later

Initially, “28 Years Later” is a highly praised and harrowing horror film, as evidenced by our review. Additionally, it offers a moving and poignant portrayal of survival, second in importance. Contrary to popular belief among some viewers, the movie is not about large prosthetic penises. However, this misconception has sparked a wave of enthusiastic posts from fans. Despite the potential challenges of filming such scenes, the film’s intimacy coordinator discusses her experience.

British native Vanessa Coffey has previously served as an intimacy advisor on productions like the steamy mystery “The Couple Next Door” and the sweeping fantasy saga “House of the Dragon,” and will continue to do so for the upcoming sequel “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.” Given her history, it wasn’t surprising that she’d again collaborate with nude extras infected by something. However, Vanessa shared with Variety that crew members were initially taken aback but soon adjusted as it became routine. In her own words:

Initially, many departments seemed worried, but surprisingly, everyone rallied together swiftly. However, when you consider the Berserkers, the prosthetics they use are truly remarkable. Notably, these prosthetics include both buttocks and penises, which require careful placement to stay secure, a necessity even before their introduction.

Although it may feel awkward for an actor to move freely while wearing prosthetics, Coffey pointed out that this experience could also be liberating for the actors portraying infected characters. He noted that apart from concerns about things coming loose, the use of prosthetics might offer a unique sense of freedom.

However, there’s a sense of familiarity too, considering that the infected are swift runners. It seems plausible that moving swiftly and confidently through the countryside with a prosthetic limb could be more comfortable compared to exposing one’s natural genitals.

It seems more straightforward to project a threatening and grotesque image without worrying about what my lower body might look like on camera, especially given less than favorable weather conditions. Maintaining a consistent appearance could also prove challenging. However, let’s move on from that topic.

It Was Important For Everyone On Set To Be Aware Of The Prosthetics

Director Danny Boyle swiftly addressed the matter following the movie’s screening, revealing that characters such as Alphas Samson, Berserker, and other ordinary infected beings wore prosthetic body parts to conceal their exposed areas. This was necessary due to legal and practical reasons, given that a 14-year-old actor played a major role in the film alongside numerous unclothed adults on set. (It’s worth noting that these constructed genitals added an element of humor during production.)

As explained by Vanessa Coffey, it was decided from the start to inform everyone about the inclusion of simulated nudity in the project, so as not to surprise the media if the use of prosthetics wasn’t disclosed properly. In her own words:

Initially, it was important to inform everyone who might be portraying infected characters that there could be scenes suggesting nudity. However, it’s possible these scenes would not make it into the news since we used prosthetics instead. Given this context, viewers might mistakenly believe they were seeing real people’s bodies. Therefore, we made sure to warn everyone in advance via email about this aspect of the production.

Despite appearing unnecessary, the team around Danny Boyle approached the sensitive nudity scenes as if they were genuine, ensuring a respectful and considerate approach to prevent any unwarranted inquiries or criticism. The intimacy coordinator further explained…

As a movie enthusiast, I can share that on the set, we made sure to implement closed-set policies for any scenes involving individuals in an undressed or seemingly undressed state. This was done to ensure transparency and to let everyone know that stringent safety measures were being followed. We didn’t want any confusion about our safeguarding practices, especially with regards to protecting ourselves and our young actor.

At the very least, the film “28 Years Later” undeniably established a blueprint for future horror films that aim to showcase numerous ominous creatures with an emphasis on their physical attributes. However, I wouldn’t presume that other movies will follow in its exact footsteps, even though it could prove quite intriguing if “Scream VII” decided to venture down such an unconventional path.

Read More

2025-07-02 19:39