A family gathering, a first date, a sexy love scene. All of these scenarios may have different types of kissing in them and should be filmed differently. There are different kinds of shots, film and techniques to go by when filming a kiss depending on what type of scene and what type of movie you are shooting.

In the first scenario, a family gathering, imagine a husband and wife sharing a kiss at the dinner table surrounded by their extended family. It's not too extreme. This is the same kind of kiss that one would shoot for a wedding. A nice, simple peck or a long loving kiss that is tasteful.

The first thing to think about is the comfort level of the actors. When choosing your actors they must obviously have chemistry and look as if they are supposed to be together. Unfortunately some actors are not comfortable with kissing. You have to be able to direct them by letting them know that this is as simple as waving their hand. It's an action being done in a film to show an emotion and it shouldn't go farther than that.

With all kissing done in films, directors and producers especially have to make sure that the actors are comfortable and protected. Simple kisses can turn into harassment if you let it. So let the actors know ahead of time that this is all for the scene and for the movie and no one should do anything they are uncomfortable with. However, if they are committed to the project and to the character, they must do what is called for of the character while being professional at the same time.

A public kiss is something that is less intimate usually so you don't have to have dramatic lighting or too many camera movements. It can be pretty straight forward depending again on the situation. Take "When Harry Met Sally" for instance. In the end, Harry kisses Sally at midnight on New Year's Eve at a big party. The moment is public but they are also isolated from the crowd because all they can think of is their love for each other. The filmmaker shows this by closing in on the two of them and making sure the kiss seems like it's in slow motion by making the actors kiss slowly rather than slowing down the film. It is a very intimate moment, more like a first date movie kiss.

For a first date movie kiss, using that technique is most effective. The two people kissing seem to really be in the moment and it's as if the world is slowing down for them so that they can enjoy it while the rest of the background goes on without noticing them. The sound is also important. If you have a lot of business in the street or at a party, it is important to use the sound wisely. You can take the sound completely out to only hear their breathing or you can bring up the background to show that although life is going on at a fast pace, they have stopped to enjoy this monumental, yet little, moment in this life.

Also effective for the "first date" kiss, which includes the "falling in love" kiss as well, is the circling of the camera. This effect is having the camera circle around the couple to show that they are in their own little world. It also shows that inside their heads, the are spinning and spinning. Love is taking over. The kiss is magical because normally in a romantic comedy or any other type of film where people kiss, the camera is stationary. But when you're falling in love, the audience will accept camera tricks. It's a break from reality when the camera moves in a film. It's making the audience focus on one simple idea.

Other escapes could be a push-in to the couple, what we call a dolly. A dolly is an action the camera performs on tracks when it moves forward to get a closer look at an object. It is like a zoom in on something except that in a dolly, the perspective changes. The depth perception switches from seeing the entire background to focusing again on one idea in the shot. Using a dolly during a kiss can be extremely dramatic or extremely melodramaitc. It can be used for comedy, it can be cheesy or it can be genuinely romantic. This all depends on the directing of your actors and the music.

Your actors have to know how to make a dramatic kiss look real and sexy if you want the genuine romance style. Have them be soft and sensual without being spittoons. They don't have to swap too much spit for it to be a delicate kiss.

The final kind of kissing in a film is used in the sexy love scene. Think "Ghost" or "Out of Sight", even "Meet The Parents". All of these movies have romantic scenes where a couple is getting ready to have to sex and in two of the films, they do. These scenes are where it really hones in on the actors. They really have to be comfortable, as you know, with not only each other but with themselves. If they have problems with themselves or the people they are working with, find out at the beginning.

Handling the crew in these kinds of scenes is also important. No matter how comfortable the actors may be with doing a "sex" scene, in Hollywood and everywhere else around the world, we use a term called "a closed set". A closed set is called when there is sexual content in the scene. It means that only the people who need to be there when the shot is being taken will be there. Mainly the actors, director, DP, Ad and sound people are needed. This is so that the actors can concentrate without getting stares, no one gets a cheap look and the production is not an open sex act to the public.

When shooting kissing in these scenes, the actors must understand that they need to make it believable. The sexual tension must be there whether the scene is dramatic, playful or comedic. Shooting the kisses in these types of scenes is more full on action-oriented. They are cut faster if the couple wants to have sex really badly. They are cut more smoothly and succinct if the couple is showing their love. The actors slow down, the film may even be on slo-mo. But certainly body parts and the melding of two people in one moment is the feeling that arises from these kinds of scenes. You should get close-ups of lips, eyes, movements, and body sweat.

There are so many ways to shoot a scene that has kissing but what important to remember is to protect your actors when on set. In the film, it might seem that the people are in love, but this is a job for your actors and should be nothing more. You don't want lawsuits, you don't want to stifle the production. Also don't be afraid of moving the camera and fast cutting when you're finished. A tussle in the hay needs action-packed editing but a romantic moment may need a single shot that tells a story behind your characters.

Links: www.imdb.com, "When Harry Met Sally"

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