‘In The Tub’ for Breast Cancer Charity
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Regular Edition
208 pages featuring 200 portraits, Full Color, 11x17, Hardcover
208 pages featuring 200 portraits, Full Color, 11x17, Hardcover
In the Tub
$46.70
Special Edition
Special Edition
48 extra pages of 'slightly more artfully risque' images
256 pages featuring 248 portraits, Full Color, 11x17, Hardcover
256 pages featuring 248 portraits, Full Color, 11x17, Hardcover
In the Tub with TJ Scott
TJ Scott first turned up on my radar in 1997 when he directed one of my favorite episodes on the original La Femme Nikita TV series. Based out of LA, TJ had quickly become a familiar director in locations around the world, and it came as no surprise whenever I would see his credits pop up on my TV. A number of years later I was fortunate to meet TJ and his lovely wife, Victoria Pratt, at a celebrity charity auction event in LA. He was gracious, funny and as talented as I had imagined. Since then, TJ has gone on to expand his career in various aspects of the industry. Still keeping up with his work, when I heard he was creating a photographic coffee table book, In the Tub, I knew this was the perfect feature for At a Glance.
So, what’s not to love…In the Tub is a visual sensory feast full of beautiful men and women captured in minimalist settings by TJ‘s creative eye. There are Actors, Musicians, Artists, Models…all presented in the simplistic mode of lounging in a bathtub. And the best part, aside from the amazing photographs, is all the proceeds have been earmarked towards TJ’s charity of choice!
As busy as he is, TJ took time out to chat with me and share about his book, his directing, his Independent Film making, and the road he has taken to get where he is today.
So, what’s not to love…In the Tub is a visual sensory feast full of beautiful men and women captured in minimalist settings by TJ‘s creative eye. There are Actors, Musicians, Artists, Models…all presented in the simplistic mode of lounging in a bathtub. And the best part, aside from the amazing photographs, is all the proceeds have been earmarked towards TJ’s charity of choice!
As busy as he is, TJ took time out to chat with me and share about his book, his directing, his Independent Film making, and the road he has taken to get where he is today.
Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule for us, TJ! Let’s get right to it! Can you share with us how the idea for In the Tubcame about and how you decided on a charity?
In-between directing assignments, I had been photographing a lot of Editorial work for magazines and meeting some really cool Actors, Recording Artists, and Models. At the same time, my Mother entered into her fourth major battle with Breast Cancer. One day I was struck with the idea that I could shoot a coffee table book of portraits with these cool people in a bathtub as a common setting, to raise money for Breast Cancer research.
Why did you choose a tub for the setting? Does it have any special significance?
I had done some Fashion photography shots using bathtubs in the past, and was struck by how intimate, comfortable and fun these shoots were. I did a little research and found that no one had ever done a coffee table book entirely of portraits in the tub. It was the combination of the intimacy and novelty that made it the perfect setting.
In-between directing assignments, I had been photographing a lot of Editorial work for magazines and meeting some really cool Actors, Recording Artists, and Models. At the same time, my Mother entered into her fourth major battle with Breast Cancer. One day I was struck with the idea that I could shoot a coffee table book of portraits with these cool people in a bathtub as a common setting, to raise money for Breast Cancer research.
Why did you choose a tub for the setting? Does it have any special significance?
I had done some Fashion photography shots using bathtubs in the past, and was struck by how intimate, comfortable and fun these shoots were. I did a little research and found that no one had ever done a coffee table book entirely of portraits in the tub. It was the combination of the intimacy and novelty that made it the perfect setting.
How did you recruit the photography subjects and were you surprised by the amount of positive responses you received?
At first I started photographing my good friends in the Entertainment business and Models that I used to hire for Fashion shoots. Everyone seemed to respond well to the shoots, and they loved the photos because they were something different. Word spread and soon I was shooting my friend’s friends – and then Publicists began suggesting their clients, plus I began to shoot the Actors I was directing (22 of them on Spartacus).
Did your subjects have any reservations with shooting nude?
At first I did some shoots with people wearing clothing in the tub, but unless they were Recording Artists in their stage outfits it looked too much like a Fashion shoot, so I started to have people shoot implied. Essentially that means that you are nude, but the camera doesn’t see everything. I started putting milk in the water which made it opaque – and much easier to create an implied look. Most of the people I shoot are in the Entertainment Industry and are accustomed to doing what it takes to get a good photo.
At first I started photographing my good friends in the Entertainment business and Models that I used to hire for Fashion shoots. Everyone seemed to respond well to the shoots, and they loved the photos because they were something different. Word spread and soon I was shooting my friend’s friends – and then Publicists began suggesting their clients, plus I began to shoot the Actors I was directing (22 of them on Spartacus).
Did your subjects have any reservations with shooting nude?
At first I did some shoots with people wearing clothing in the tub, but unless they were Recording Artists in their stage outfits it looked too much like a Fashion shoot, so I started to have people shoot implied. Essentially that means that you are nude, but the camera doesn’t see everything. I started putting milk in the water which made it opaque – and much easier to create an implied look. Most of the people I shoot are in the Entertainment Industry and are accustomed to doing what it takes to get a good photo.
So your subjects are actually nude then?
For the most part, yes.
How do you handle that?
I’ve become so accustomed to shooting people nude that it really isn’t a big thing at all. I’m completely comfortable with it – so I think that makes my subjects completely comfortable with it. Plus, I give them 100% kill on any photo they don’t like, so no one ever sees a photo that they haven’t approved.
What is your general goal for each shoot?
Our goal is to get an intriguing, compelling, stop and stare photo. Something that makes you want to stop turning the page. If someone says to me I wish I was there when you took that photo – then I know we have accomplished our goal.
Approximately how long does a shoot take?
The subjects are only in the tub for 10 to 20 minutes. We might chat for a bit before and after, but as a rule I only ask for one hour of their time and I try to stick to that.
That doesn’t seem like much time, I would have thought longer?
The actual shoot days aren’t long – though they do require another hour of set up before and an hour after to put my studio back together. The real time commitment comes in the Post Shoot. During the shoot I snap 800 – 2500 photos. I spend an entire day for each shoot picking my selects and then photoshopping the images to the look I had in mind for that shoot.
For the most part, yes.
How do you handle that?
I’ve become so accustomed to shooting people nude that it really isn’t a big thing at all. I’m completely comfortable with it – so I think that makes my subjects completely comfortable with it. Plus, I give them 100% kill on any photo they don’t like, so no one ever sees a photo that they haven’t approved.
What is your general goal for each shoot?
Our goal is to get an intriguing, compelling, stop and stare photo. Something that makes you want to stop turning the page. If someone says to me I wish I was there when you took that photo – then I know we have accomplished our goal.
Approximately how long does a shoot take?
The subjects are only in the tub for 10 to 20 minutes. We might chat for a bit before and after, but as a rule I only ask for one hour of their time and I try to stick to that.
That doesn’t seem like much time, I would have thought longer?
The actual shoot days aren’t long – though they do require another hour of set up before and an hour after to put my studio back together. The real time commitment comes in the Post Shoot. During the shoot I snap 800 – 2500 photos. I spend an entire day for each shoot picking my selects and then photoshopping the images to the look I had in mind for that shoot.
I tell my subjects ahead of time not to worry about being overly prepared. It is a Portrait that we are shooting – it just happens to be in a bathtub. They just need to show up with their smile.
Did it eventually become challenging to make each new session fresh after so many shots based on the same general setting?
At the core of each In the Tub shoot is the subject’s personality – so each is unique.
Did the project turn out to be bigger than you had initially envisioned?
I always envisioned the book itself would be quite large – and it is. The Special Edition is 250 pages and weighs 4 ½ pounds. The time commitment was certainly more than I thought it would be though.
Is this the first time you’ve opened any of your projects up to crowdfunding?
I launched an In the Tub Kickstarter to raise funds for the first printing of the book and it was the first crowdfunding I had ever tried.
What type of response did you receive?
I raised $82,000 in pre-sales of the book on Kickstarter.
Wow! That sounds amazing!
I think I could have raised a lot more, but Kickstarter specifically did not allow me to mention that I was giving my profits from the In the Tub book to charity. In fact, for the entire time my campaign was up, they monitored all of my Social Networks, and didn’t allow me to mention it on any of them.
Would you consider using crowdfunding again?
Yes, but it was at the very core of the In the Tub project from day one that the profits were to go to Breast Cancer Research, so I would have to do a fund raising that allowed me to mention it.
You know nobody loves breasts more than I do. Well, with the exception of you, perhaps. We don't just admire, leer, and ogle, we also need to preserve, protect, and defend. Thus we couldn't be happier to promote the just cause of Spartacus and Xena director TJ Scott (Twitter: @TJScottPictures) who got together, oh, a million of his super hot Hollywood female friends (and some male actors as well, if you're into that XY chromosome gender) to get pretty nekkid in a bathtub for a beautiful photo book with all the proceeds going to support breast cancer charities.
If you happen to love women, boobs, or just receiving an amazing hard cover book filled with crazy hot images of sextastic celebrities in a bathtub, then I encourage you to purchase In The Tub. This is not an advertisement, just a goodwill gesture from a man who makes his living from women being so much hotter than men. Enjoy.
Juliette Beavan: Juliette is the lead Singer for the LA based Band 8MM. I had photographed Album Covers and Promo Material for 8mm and she and her husband Sean Beavan composed the Music for my latest movie 'Death Valley', so for her to jump In The Tub was a no brainer. Juliette splashed some of the Milk Water at me for fun and I said 'try throwing the Milk in the Air. She did and I snapped this shot of her.
Stacey Dash: I had never met Stacey and she had a very tight schedule the day we shot. She showed up, stripped right down and jumped In The Tub within a minute of us shaking hands. After only a few shutter clicks I knew I had nailed a winner shot, with the smoke machine providing an 'Angel Wing' for her. Stacey was a total delight, total pro and as totally mesmerizing to Photograph as she is to watch on the screen.
Ellen Hollman: I Directed Ellen in the TV series 'Spartacus'. We both love the creative collaboration aspect of photo shoots. Since we were filming in New Zealand for months and had our weekends off, Ellen and I did a number of In The Tub shoots. Ellen is completely confident with her body, and not afraid to show the amazing shape she is in, as you will see if you buy the 'Special Edition' of the book.
Gwendoline Taylor: I met Gwendoline when she was Modeling in New Zealand and shot a number of fashion shoots with her. A year later she was cast in 'Spartacus' and I was lucky enough to collaborate with her as an actress too. Gwendoline has a wonderfully photogenic face and dynamic body. She is a captivating young actress and sweetheart of a person with a big career ahead of her.
Sara Fabel: Sara is a renaissance Tattoo and Graphic Artist, with an ever-growing following on Instagram. I wanted to capture her statuesque inked body, with so many of the tattoos done by her own hand. I often put Milk in the bath water to make it easier to create implied images. Sara picked up the milk jug and let it spill all over her as I snapped away. Some days just "go with the flow", I say.
Tiffany Hines: I knew who Tiffany Hines was from her roles in 'Nikita', '90210' and 'Bones' but we had never met . I suggested we try some oil on her skin to make the water bead and run. It worked great little rivers down her body and then Tiffany had the idea of flipping her hair back to spray water. 10 minutes later my studio was soaked, but we had captured the moment we were after.
Elyse Levesque: I Directed Elyse in a TV movie version of 'Journey to the Center of The Earth' and I never forgot the ethereal quality she had on camera in ‘Stargate’. A year later I photographed a 'Black Sawn' inspired fashion editorial with Elyse. At the end of the shoot I told her about my In The Tub idea. She stripped right down and plunged In The Tub without batting an eye, and this is what we captured moments later.
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe: Jodi and my Wife had co-starred in a movie together and became fast friends, but I hadn't met her until she showed up for our shoot. Jodi has the most Wonder Woman looking eyes, which I had noted in her roles in 'Nash Bridges' and 'Prison Break'. Jodi also has a line of Jewelry, so I focused on Eyes and Jewelry… her languid nude body, just happen to end up in the shot too.
Katrina Law: I Directed Katrina in 'Spartacus' and then I cast her to star in my feature film 'Death Valley' as the Femme Fatale, so we have a very close collaborative trust. Katrina knows how to work the camera and comes up with wonderful shapes and expressions with each pose. She is in my In The Tub book more then anyone else, but this particular photo seems to be the fan favorite.
Kelly Hu: Several years ago Kelly starred in a TV movie I directed called 'Mayday' and we had a blast. This year I was lucky to have her do a role in my film 'Death Valley'. Kelly showed up with roses to go In The Tub. It was a perfect idea her portrait. Kelly brings positive energy, grace, elegance and a sense of fun to everything she does and I think we captured it here.
If you happen to love women, boobs, or just receiving an amazing hard cover book filled with crazy hot images of sextastic celebrities in a bathtub, then I encourage you to purchase In The Tub. This is not an advertisement, just a goodwill gesture from a man who makes his living from women being so much hotter than men. Enjoy.
TJ's Personal Notes on Some of The Models In the Tub:
Victoria Pratt: As a former Top Fitness Model in the World, turned Actress, Victoria knew how to work the camera lens for both her Face and Body. She moved effortlessly and was totally at ease nude in front of the camera - perhaps it helped that I have directed her in 4 Movies and 3 TV series or perhaps it was because I am married to her.Juliette Beavan: Juliette is the lead Singer for the LA based Band 8MM. I had photographed Album Covers and Promo Material for 8mm and she and her husband Sean Beavan composed the Music for my latest movie 'Death Valley', so for her to jump In The Tub was a no brainer. Juliette splashed some of the Milk Water at me for fun and I said 'try throwing the Milk in the Air. She did and I snapped this shot of her.
Stacey Dash: I had never met Stacey and she had a very tight schedule the day we shot. She showed up, stripped right down and jumped In The Tub within a minute of us shaking hands. After only a few shutter clicks I knew I had nailed a winner shot, with the smoke machine providing an 'Angel Wing' for her. Stacey was a total delight, total pro and as totally mesmerizing to Photograph as she is to watch on the screen.
Ellen Hollman: I Directed Ellen in the TV series 'Spartacus'. We both love the creative collaboration aspect of photo shoots. Since we were filming in New Zealand for months and had our weekends off, Ellen and I did a number of In The Tub shoots. Ellen is completely confident with her body, and not afraid to show the amazing shape she is in, as you will see if you buy the 'Special Edition' of the book.
Gwendoline Taylor: I met Gwendoline when she was Modeling in New Zealand and shot a number of fashion shoots with her. A year later she was cast in 'Spartacus' and I was lucky enough to collaborate with her as an actress too. Gwendoline has a wonderfully photogenic face and dynamic body. She is a captivating young actress and sweetheart of a person with a big career ahead of her.
Sara Fabel: Sara is a renaissance Tattoo and Graphic Artist, with an ever-growing following on Instagram. I wanted to capture her statuesque inked body, with so many of the tattoos done by her own hand. I often put Milk in the bath water to make it easier to create implied images. Sara picked up the milk jug and let it spill all over her as I snapped away. Some days just "go with the flow", I say.
Tiffany Hines: I knew who Tiffany Hines was from her roles in 'Nikita', '90210' and 'Bones' but we had never met . I suggested we try some oil on her skin to make the water bead and run. It worked great little rivers down her body and then Tiffany had the idea of flipping her hair back to spray water. 10 minutes later my studio was soaked, but we had captured the moment we were after.
Elyse Levesque: I Directed Elyse in a TV movie version of 'Journey to the Center of The Earth' and I never forgot the ethereal quality she had on camera in ‘Stargate’. A year later I photographed a 'Black Sawn' inspired fashion editorial with Elyse. At the end of the shoot I told her about my In The Tub idea. She stripped right down and plunged In The Tub without batting an eye, and this is what we captured moments later.
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe: Jodi and my Wife had co-starred in a movie together and became fast friends, but I hadn't met her until she showed up for our shoot. Jodi has the most Wonder Woman looking eyes, which I had noted in her roles in 'Nash Bridges' and 'Prison Break'. Jodi also has a line of Jewelry, so I focused on Eyes and Jewelry… her languid nude body, just happen to end up in the shot too.
Katrina Law: I Directed Katrina in 'Spartacus' and then I cast her to star in my feature film 'Death Valley' as the Femme Fatale, so we have a very close collaborative trust. Katrina knows how to work the camera and comes up with wonderful shapes and expressions with each pose. She is in my In The Tub book more then anyone else, but this particular photo seems to be the fan favorite.
Kelly Hu: Several years ago Kelly starred in a TV movie I directed called 'Mayday' and we had a blast. This year I was lucky to have her do a role in my film 'Death Valley'. Kelly showed up with roses to go In The Tub. It was a perfect idea her portrait. Kelly brings positive energy, grace, elegance and a sense of fun to everything she does and I think we captured it here.
Kandyse McClure: I was a fan of Kandyse from her role on 'Battlestar Galactica' so I was delighted to direct her in the Netflix series 'Hemlock Grove'. On set I told her about my 'In The Tub' book and she volunteered to jump in shoot right away. I wanted to make sure I captured her dazzling eyes, and when Kandyse dunked her head and came up totally dripping, I knew we had a winning combo.
Spyral
If you follow the amazon link for the special edition, you can "Look Inside" the book. At the back are 6 pages filled with a thumbnail of every pic in the book, along with the name of the person. It's blurry and had to see, but cross referencing the blurry names against the list from here (http://www.kickstarter.com/
Victoria Pratt (amazing photo), Jennifer Krukowski, Camille Martins, Ellen Hollman (great shot), Juliette Beavan, Bella Gonzalez, Jessica Melland, Gwendoline Taylor (I think you can see nips), Emily Balay, Jesse Jane, Patricia McKenzie, Jordan Madley (great nips!), and Cela Scott.
There are probably half a dozen other topless shots where I couldn't decipher the name. Anyway, really looking forward to this!!
The ones I could find without going blind from squinting : ) Unable to pinpoint Ellen's topless shot.
TJ Scott In The Tub Book Launch Party Red Carpet
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