Intimacy coordinator

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An intimacy coordinator is an occupation in the film and television industries. They are "an advocate, a liaison between actors and production, and a movement coach and/or choreographer in regards to nudity and simulated sex, and other intimate and hyper-exposed scenes." [1]

Contents

Intimacy coordinators are distinguished from intimacy directors who are associated with live performance roles, such as: theatre, dance, circus, performance art, and fashion shows. [2]

History

While intimacy coordinators already existed in the realm of live theater, demand for their role gained significant traction within Hollywood and television and streaming platforms after the 2017 Weinstein scandal and the subsequent rise of the #MeToo movement. [3] These events highlighted the often routine nature of sexual harassment and misconduct that actors, particularly women, routinely faced within the industry. Actresses such as Emily Meade began to demand professional safeguards for their well-being on set. [3] They pointed out the imbalanced power dynamics often seen in productions, which could leave actors—particularly young and inexperienced ones—feeling too powerless to speak up if directors, staff members or other actors disregarded their consent or previous agreements regarding intimate scenes. [4]

Hollywood

With the popularization of the #MeToo movement, numerous Hollywood-based actors joined the movement and fostered a new environment where actors began coming forward to share their stories about sexual assault while filming. [5] This large-scale movement unearthed many instances of sexual harassment throughout Hollywood, most notably shedding light on the producer Harvey Weinstein, who had 80 allegations of sexual harassment against him. [5] Following this time, the calls for the film industry to take charge and protect its actors became more pronounced, and it became apparent that changes needed to be made in the industry.

Television and streaming platforms

In 2017, the London talent agency Carey Dodd Associates fronted a campaign for an industry standard in handling scenes of intimacy using guidelines developed by Ita O'Brien. [2] In October 2018, television network HBO adopted a policy of using intimacy coordinators for all its series and films with intimate scenes. [6] Soon after, other networks such as Netflix, Starz, Hulu, and Amazon began exploring the use of intimacy coordinators, and by 2020 there were 23 Emmy-nominated scripted programs that worked with intimacy coordinators. [7] In January 2019, Netflix released Sex Education, its first production that used an intimacy coordinator, Ita O'Brien. [8]

During HBO's filming of Game of Thrones , Emilia Clarke often spoke of feeling like she was too inexperienced of an actress to fight the nudity requirements on the show. [3] With this, multiple other actresses in the Game of Thrones cast spoke of similar discomfort when filming nude scenes on the show. [3] Since then, HBO has adopted the use of intimacy coordinators in all intimate scenes, including with the newest series in the franchise like House of the Dragon . [6] [3] Actor Emily Carey, who played young Alicent Hightower in the series, recalled how nervous they were to film an intimate scene with Paddy Considine during production. [3] But, they credited the series intimacy coordinator, Miriam Lucia, for helping them feel safe and calm while filming these intimate scenes. [9]

Function

According to Intimacy Directors International, a nonprofit organization founded in 2016 by Alicia Rodis, Tonia Sina, and Siobhan Richardson [10] that advocates for the function, an intimacy coordinator is expected to ensure that: [11]

Implementation of intimacy coordinators

There are many different instances in which a production set would require an intimacy coordinator. The job of an intimacy coordinator is not to ruin creativity, but rather to help produce that creativity in a way that is safe for all those involved. [12] Scenes involving simulated sex and/or kissing, power dynamics, suggestive movements, and sexual trauma among other things would be instances where an intimacy coordinator would be necessary during filming. [13] Following the #MeToo Movement and the recent changes to laws surrounding intimacy filming standards, the use of an intimacy coordinator has become an accepted industry standard. [14]

SAG-AFTRA lists a series of expertise and training expectations, as well as additional requirements for intimacy coordinators. [1]

Expertise and training

Additional requirements

Backgrounds of intimacy coordinators

Intimacy coordinators come from a variety of backgrounds. Some have roots as fight and movement directors, others as stage-combat teachers and stunt-people, or are experienced as aerialists, choreographers, and dancers. For others, their creative practice is in acting or as acting coaches. Furthermore, some have groundings as sex and relationship coaches or as psychotherapists. [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]

Nudity, simulated sex, and physical contact

Nudity

The PACT Equity TV Agreement 2019—2020 describes nudity as the "display of any part of the body, which would be revealed if the artist was not wearing a bathing suit." It clarifies this to mean a Speedo for male performers and a bikini for female performers. [21]

Furthermore, intimacy coordinator Amanda Blumenthal states that this is a definition that Showtime uses and that anything that would typically be underneath a bathing suit and is shown on-screen requires a nudity rider. [22]

Semi-nudity is where the performer is nude either from the waist up or from the waist down. [21]

Types of nudity

Amanda Blumenthal explains that "there are several types of nudity" and that the levels of acceptability and comfortability of a performer are stipulated in nudity riders. This can include: filmed angle perspective—from the side, from the front, from the back, etc or body part exposure—full chest nudity or side-profile nudity. As would any hand-to-genital or genital-to-genital contact be specified. [22]

Nudity riders

Nudity riders are referred to under a variety of different titles. Most start with terms, including: nudity, simulated sex, or intimate scene and finish with terms, including: rider, clause, or waiver. [23]

Industry reactions

Negative industry reactions

Actors and filmmakers have criticized the implementation of intimacy coordinators. Actor Sean Bean in an interview with Variety criticized the practice stating "I think the natural way lovers behave would be ruined by someone bringing it right down to a technical exercise." [24] French film director and screen writer Mia Hansen-Løve has also spoken against the use of intimacy coordinators calling them "some kind of virtue police" [25] British actor Michael Caine has questioned the need for the use of intimacy coordinators on set, stating how he feels that they interfere with the shooting of intimate scenes between actors. [26] Additionally Australian actress Toni Collette has said that the use of intimacy coordinators on set have made her feel "more anxious" [27] but has said that it would depend if she would work with them again, stating that they bring a "new energy" to set. [27] American actor and producer Michael Douglas and Argentine-Italian filmmaker Gaspar Noé have also spoken out against the practice.  

Sam Levinson's 2023 TV series The Idol satirized the use of intimacy coordinators. [28]

Positive industry reactions

Actors and filmmakers both in the UK and the United States have supported the implementation of intimacy coordinators. In 2019, the US actor’s association SAG-AFTRA created an official agreement with Intimacy Coordinators International in hopes of raising awareness of the importance of intimacy coordinators when filming. [29] In addition, Equity, a British actors’ union, created a support network called Safe Space in 2019. Safe Space was designed to help increase the number of sexual harassment cases that are being reported to British authorities and to ensure that everyone feels safe reporting these incidents. [29] The addition of these organizations to filming in both the US and UK has made the industry safer and more comfortable for actors, while also lessening the legal risk that certain films may face surrounding the production of intimate scenes. [29] Following this movement, intimacy coordinators have been successfully utilized in a number of popular productions including Bridgerton , Euphoria , and I May Destroy You . [29]

The fourth season of the TV series High Maintenance featured a storyline on an intimacy coordinator, portrayed by Abigail Bengson. Series co-creator and director Katja Blichfeld spoke in support of the profession, noting it was "a relief to be able to turn to a person for these moments that, in the past, we've had to navigate to our best ability." [30]

Further reading

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References

  1. 1 2 "Standards and Protocols for the Use of Intimacy Coordinators" (PDF). SAG-AFTRA. February 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Call for new 'intimacy director' role to safeguard actors in sex scenes". The Stage. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Zageris, Larissa (1 November 2022). "Intimacy Coordinators: The New Group Of Experts Poised To Change Hollywood Forever". Looper . Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  4. ↑ Kerr, Breena (24 October 2018). "How HBO Is Changing Sex Scenes Forever". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  5. 1 2 agatewood1 (10 January 2023). ""No Surprises": Intimacy Coordinators on Film and Theater Sets, and What They Mean For All of Us". Women's Center at UMBC. Retrieved 7 October 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. 1 2 Martinelli, Marissa (29 October 2018). "HBO Sex Scenes Will Be Monitored by "Intimacy Coordinators" From Now On". Slate. ISSN   1091-2339 . Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  7. ↑ Hilton, Emily (10 December 2020). "Let's Talk About Simulated Sex: Intimacy Coordinators Two Years On". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  8. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (21 June 2020). "'Sex Education' Star Asa Butterfield Says Working With Intimacy Coordinator Helped Cast "Find Our Boundaries"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  9. ↑ Bergeson, Samantha (19 September 2022). "'House of the Dragon' Intimacy Coordinator: We're Sensitive to 'Thrones' Bad Rap for 'Gratuitous' Sex". IndieWire . Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  10. ↑ "Meet The 'Intimacy Directors' Who Choreograph Sex Scenes". HuffPost . 2018. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  11. ↑ "Pillars of safe intimacy: Rehearsal and performance practice" (PDF). Intimacy Directors International. 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  12. ↑ Michele Manelis (29 March 2023). "The Rise and Necessity of Intimacy Coordinators". Golden Globes . Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  13. ↑ Wickins, Laura Bailey (29 January 2023). "The Role of the Intimacy Coordinator". NYFA. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  14. ↑ Sørensen, Inge Ejbye (18 August 2022). "Sex and safety on set: intimacy coordinators in television drama and film in the VOD and post-Weinstein era". Feminist Media Studies. 22 (6): 1395–1410. doi:10.1080/14680777.2021.1886141. ISSN   1468-0777.
  15. ↑ "Yarit Dor".
  16. ↑ "Lizzy Talbot".
  17. ↑ "Mam Smith".
  18. ↑ "Miriam Lucia".
  19. ↑ "AMANDA BLUMENTHAL".
  20. ↑ "Rosanna Normanton".
  21. 1 2 "GUIDELINES FOR ENGAGING INTIMACY COORDINATORS IN TV/FILM" (PDF).
  22. 1 2 Mary Hilalian (16 August 2023). "The Fi Hall of Fame: Making Onscreen Sex Safe". Film Independent.
  23. ↑ "TERMINOLOGY TUESDAY: NUDITY RIDER".
  24. ↑ Yossman, K. J. (8 August 2022). "'Games of Thrones' Star Sean Bean Says Intimacy Coordinators 'Spoil the Spontaneity,' Decries Censorship". Variety. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  25. ↑ Hogan, Michael (16 April 2023). "Mia Hansen-Løve: 'I'd rather not film sex scenes than have virtue police on set'". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  26. ↑ Gearan, Hannah (26 September 2023). ""We Never Had That In My Day": Michael Caine Questions The Need For Intimacy Coordinators On Set". ScreenRant. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  27. 1 2 Walker, Clay. "Toni Collette says intimacy coordinators actually make her 'more anxious' on set and once 'asked them to leave'". Business Insider. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  28. ↑ Hailu, Selome (16 June 2023). "An Intimacy Coordinator Reacts to 'The Idol' Pilot: 'I Felt Betrayed' That HBO 'Used Us as the Butt of the Joke'". Variety.
  29. 1 2 3 4 Sørensen, Inge Ejbye (18 August 2022). "Sex and safety on set: intimacy coordinators in television drama and film in the VOD and post-Weinstein era". Feminist Media Studies. 22 (6): 1395–1410. doi:10.1080/14680777.2021.1886141. ISSN   1468-0777.
  30. ↑ Lutes, Alicia (28 February 2020). "High Maintenance's Katja Blichfeld Will Never Run Out of Stories That Restore New Yorkers' Humanity". Elle.

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