Kristen Bell says one 'Nobody Wants This' scene was so rough both cameras ended up underwater

The part Kristen Bell cannot get over is what came after the chaos. After a season 3 ocean scene for Nobody Wants This left crew members bracing in the sand and both cameras underwater, she says the first response was that they still did not have the shot. Bell shared the story while speaking on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, describing the beach sequence as a near-death experience involving her and around 10 crew members in the waves.

The take that turned into “mayhem”

Bell said the setup already sounded complicated before the waves did anything. The scene called for her to go into the ocean and appear nude, so she said she was wearing a scuba suit from the lower half down. She also said she had to go out until the water reached her sternum.

She was not alone. Bell said she went into the water with nine or 10 crew members, and that everyone had a one-for-one stunt person with them. As she explained it, each person had someone there specifically to brace them.

The conditions quickly became the story. Bell said one of the cameras caught eight-foot waves breaking behind her while she tried to deliver Hebrew lines and then dunk herself before the wave hit. Just before the water crashed, she said, the stunt performers started yelling.

Bell recalled being lifted up by two stunt women who were helping her. At the same time, she said the crew members around her were being shoved into the sand by their own stunt partners to keep them steady. She singled out Aaron, the A camera operator, saying he was getting pummeled by the waves. By the end of it, she said, both cameras were underwater.

Her summary of the whole thing was simple. It was mayhem, and the water was extremely cold.

They still needed the scene

What made the story even wilder, according to Bell, was what happened once everybody got back in. She said the director told them they had not captured the scene and that they would need to head back out.

Bell said the reaction from the group was basically disbelief. She remembered thinking there was no way they were going to improve on what had just happened and saying that somebody was going to be washed away if they kept pushing it.

Instead of repeating the full sequence, Bell said she tried to cut the risk down as much as possible. She watched the takes quickly, figured out which Hebrew phrases had not been captured, and decided she would go back out only long enough to get those specific pieces. She said she was effectively planning the edit in her head so she could spend the least amount of time possible in the surf.

That approach appears to have shaped what viewers eventually see. Bell said the finished episode uses only a side angle for the beach moment, because the front-facing version was, in her words, horrific to watch.

Even after the first attempt went so badly, Bell said the team did manage to complete the scene.

Why they were in the ocean at all

Bell also shared that there had been an argument before filming ever reached that point. She said the team had initially pushed for a water tank rather than shooting in the ocean.

Adam Brody, who also stars in the series, was the one Bell pointed to when she brought up the decision. Speaking to him, she said he had been very against the tank because he did not think it would have the feel of the ocean. Brody said he had also suggested trying to find a natural body of water without large waves, mentioning Paradise Cove in Malibu as an example.

In the end, the real-ocean version is the one that made it into the show, and Bell said the result looked worth it. She, Brody, Justine Lupe and Timothy Simons all agreed that the final version came out amazing.

That means viewers can now watch the scene knowing what was happening just outside the frame: a performance in cold water, a crew anchored by stunt support, and a shot that Bell says nearly went very differently before it finally made it onto Netflix.

Why water scenes are so difficult to film

Any scene shot in or around water is usually harder than it looks. Water changes movement, balance, sound and visibility all at once. Actors and crew have less stable footing, clothes get heavy, and even simple actions can take many repeats because splashes, wet hair and shifting light make continuity harder to match.

Cameras also struggle in wet environments. Water droplets on the lens can ruin a shot, reflections can confuse focus, and waves or spray can push equipment off line. If the water is cold, people tire faster. If it is chlorinated or salty, that can be rough on skin, eyes and gear. Even shallow water can become a problem when cables, costumes or props are involved.

How productions protect cameras and sound

Film and TV crews usually plan heavily for water work. Cameras may go into waterproof housings, clear splash bags or protective rigs, depending on whether the shot needs full submersion or just protection from spray. Lenses are cleaned constantly, and camera teams often keep absorbent cloths, dry bags and backup bodies close by.

Sound is another challenge. Dialogue recorded near water often picks up splashing, wind and echo, so productions may use hidden microphones, overhead booms, or record some lines later in a quieter setting. Wardrobe and makeup teams also prepare for repeated soaking, because wet fabric can change colour, cling differently and create continuity issues from take to take.

Useful tips if you are filming near water yourself

If you are using a phone, action camera or small camera near a pool, lake or sea, assume it will get wetter than planned. Use a waterproof case that is rated for submersion if the device may go under, and add a wrist strap or float so it cannot sink out of reach.

Keep batteries, memory cards and charging gear in a sealed dry bag. Wipe the lens often, but use a clean microfibre cloth so you do not smear grit across the glass. After filming near salt water or chlorine, rinse only the protective housing with fresh water and dry it before opening. If a device gets soaked unexpectedly, power it off, do not charge it, and let a repair professional assess it as soon as possible.