In 2013, the actress starred in the raunchy coming-of-age comedy The To Do List, playing Brandy Klark, an overachieving teen determined to complete a summer checklist of intimate experiences before heading to college.
The role leaned heavily on Plaza’s signature deadpan humor, with several scenes pushing the boundaries of awkward comedy. While she expected the movie to be provocative, nothing could prepare her for how one specific scene would unfold.
Speaking about the moment years later, Plaza recalled walking onto the set to find a camera positioned directly above her bed while she wore only underwear and a Clinton T-shirt, surrounded by crew members.
“In my head, I envisioned a nice scene where you see my hand slowly go out of frame,” she explained. “I asked the director, ‘What should I do?’ And she said, ‘Masturbate, like it says in the script.’”
What Plaza assumed would be discreet turned into what she bluntly described as “a full body shot.” She admitted the moment was far from what she had pictured during rehearsals.
Looking back, she told Oregon Live that it was “the most nerve-racking” part of filming, adding, “I thought we’d probably shoot this in a way where I don’t really have to do it. Oh no, we’re going to shoot it where I do it.”
Director Maggie Carey has praised Plaza for being “game for anything” and always prioritizing comedy over vanity. According to Carey, Plaza approached the scene with complete commitment, even suggesting physical choices that amplified the humor.
Despite the comedic intent, Plaza has been candid about how the day felt to her. In an interview with The Sunday Times, she described the shoot as “the weirdest acting job I’ve ever had in my life” and summed it up with one word: “nightmare.”
Her openness about the experience has sparked ongoing discussions about the boundaries of on-screen intimacy, even in comedies. For Plaza, it remains one of the most unforgettable and unusual moments of her career.
Featured image Credit: (Instagram)
