Director Paul Verhoeven has revealed that he stripped naked alongside his cinematographer on the set of Starship Troopers (1997) to put nervous actors at ease before filming a scene requiring full nudity. The moment reflects a long tradition of filmmakers going to unusual, extreme lengths to get a shot right, alongside examples such as Werner Herzog hauling a real 320-ton boat for Fitzcarraldo or William Friedkin firing guns unexpectedly on The Exorcist set.

Verhoeven told Digital Spy that he and director of photography Jost Vacano undressed together before shooting a fully nude shower scene, which broke the tension and made everyone laugh, allowing filming to proceed smoothly. He explained that Vacano, having grown up around nudist culture, was unfazed, while he himself found it harder but felt it was necessary to set an example for the cast. Starship Troopers received a mixed critical reception on release but has since gained recognition as a cult classic.