What is an Intimacy Coordinator?
An intimacy coordinator is responsible for ensuring the emotional and physical safety of actors during scenes involving nudity, simulated sex, and other intimate content while also helping the director to realise their creative vision. An intimacy coordinator’s role is to advocate for the actors, making sure there is clear communication and mutual consent between them and production. They ensure proper protocols are followed, such as maintaining a closed set, and help choreograph or coach intimate movement if needed. An intimacy coordinator’s aim is to create a safe and supportive environment where everyone can do their best work and creativity can thrive.
Why hire an Intimacy Coordinator?
An intimacy coordinator enables filming to be as efficient as possible by establishing a safe and respectful environment for all cast and crew. They help maintain clear communication and boundaries between actors and strive to interrupt the power dynamics that naturally occur on a film set, making sure everyone is treated with care and respect so they can do their best work with confidence and focus. In addition to this, intimacy coordinators are great at identifying potential issues early and working to resolve them, ultimately preventing bigger issues down the line, like legal risks or damage to a project’s reputation.
How does Intimacy Coordination work?
The process begins with the intimacy coordinator and director meeting to discuss what the director wants to achieve in each intimate scene. The intimacy coordinator then meets individually with the actors to discuss their personal boundaries and preferences. Using this information, the intimacy coordinator then acts as mediator by facilitating a dialogue between all parties to align the director’s creative intentions with the actors' boundaries. By fostering open communication and advocating for clear, mutual understanding, the intimacy coordinator enables the director’s vision to be brought to life while ensuring that the actors feel confident their boundaries are being respected.