Intimacy Coordinator

For film, television and performing arts

In safety, the performers blossom

Paula Sánchez Arévalo

What is an Intimacy Coordinator?

It’s the figure in film, TV industry and the performing arts that creates a safe working environment for performers during intimate scenes, while supporting direction and choreography to facilitate their creative vision.

Some of the responsibilities of the Intimacy Coordinator are:

  • To facilitate dialogue between performers and direction around levels of comfort on intimate scenes. 

  • Create clear communication around boundaries and consent between the performers.

  • Ensure that international recognized intimacy guidelines are followed. 

  • Advocate for performers and LGBTQIA+ cast members on subjects like microaggressions and harassment. 

  • If requested by the direction, choreograph and coach movement to enhance intimate scenes. 

Benefits of having an Intimacy Coordinator in a project

Intimate content can potentially put the performer in a vulnerable place, due to the high physical and emotional exposure.

The intimacy coordinator acts as a bridge in the dynamics of power between performer and direction/choreographer, making sure that the performer is heard, respected and has received all the information regarding the intimate scene before giving their consent.

IC creates a safe working environment for the entire team and sets a professional tone. 

Reduces the risk of abuse and harassment. 

Approach

My work in a project starts by interviewing the choreographer/director and finding out their creative vision of the intimate scene as well as which performers are going to be involved in it. In this meeting, I also inform the creative team about the performer’s inherent rights on consent.

The next step would be to have a meeting with each performer separately to tell them about all details related to the scene in order to find out their levels of comfort with the intimate content. If needed, I help performers to set healthy boundaries that they might have difficulty establishing due to the power imbalance in the dynamics at play. To conclude the interview, I convey their rights regarding consent.

Furthermore, I communicate the outcome of the conversation regarding performers' needs and consent to the direction and choreography.

I also coordinate and communicate with the different departments the needs of the scene and the performers’ boundaries: costume, photography, production, marketing, crew, etc.

I support the director's creative process and their relationship with the performer, and I’m available as a resource to bring that vision to life.

I ensure that during intimate scenes only essential members of the team are present, and that unauthorized screening, reproduction or recording of the intimate content is not allowed without the performer's consent.

I make myself available to the performers throughout the entire process for support whenever feelings of vulnerability may be triggered. My presence as an IC is adaptable, varying according to the performers' specific needs and the requirements of the intimate content.