What Is an Intimacy Coordinator?

Ever wonder how they shoot sex scenes in movies and TV shows? Well, there's a lot going on behind the scenes to get those steamy scenes from the page and onto the screen. One job that's entered the cultural lexicon recently is called an "intimacy coordinator" and I thought we could talk about it today.I want to define the role, go over what they do on set, and talk about why some sets need them. Let's dive in. Intimacy Coordinator DefinedAn intimacy coordinator is a person who works on film, television, and theater productions to ensure the physical and emotional safety of actors during scenes that involve nudity, simulated sex, or sexual actions. Why Intimacy Coordinators Matter Hollywood has had a reckoning over the last few years with abuse both on and off of the set. There has been a consorted effort to make sure safety is at the forefront. A job like this matters because you need an ally on set who can go between the actors and director, who can help them rehearse, and who can be a neutral party when problems need to be hashed out. They're great for insurance companies because they're another person on set looking out for the safety of the actors. Think of it this way: they're like stunt coordinators but for sex scenes. And if you're going to have a show or a movie, whether on HBO, a studio, or anywhere else, it might be nice to have one around to help you through the salacious parts and to help everyone's chemistry. What Do Intimacy Coordinators Do On Set?Intimacy coordinators create a sense of control on the set. They help you work through the motions of the scene, can be a liaison with the actors, and keep everything above board. They facilitate clear communication and ensure that actors provide informed and ongoing consent throughout the rehearsal and filming process. And they establish clear boundaries and protocols, including the use of safe words.Intimacy coordinators make sure everyone is comfortable during scenes that require intimacy. That could be a heavy makeout or a sex scene. They help actors talk about how much nudity they're willing to do based on their contracts, they can suss out who feels comfortable doing what in scenes, and they bring intimacy kits with them that help keep everyone protected. We actually have a free checklist given to us by an intimacy coordinator that you can use to make sure the sex scenes you shoot are all above board. Even though they cost money, you should really consider having a professional on set not just to cover you for issues that may arise later, but to support the actors and give them a voice so that everyone is proceeding with comfort and safety. Summing Up Intimacy Coordinators Now that you know about the job, you can talk to your actors about having one on set, or you can even consider working within the profession yourself. The best set is a safe set, where everyone feels comfortable and their art can shine. While intimacy coordinators are not always required, they should definitely be a line item you consider. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Mar 6, 2025 - 18:50
 0
What Is an Intimacy Coordinator?


Ever wonder how they shoot sex scenes in movies and TV shows? Well, there's a lot going on behind the scenes to get those steamy scenes from the page and onto the screen. One job that's entered the cultural lexicon recently is called an "intimacy coordinator" and I thought we could talk about it today.

I want to define the role, go over what they do on set, and talk about why some sets need them.

Let's dive in.


Intimacy Coordinator Defined


An intimacy coordinator is a person who works on film, television, and theater productions to ensure the physical and emotional safety of actors during scenes that involve nudity, simulated sex, or sexual actions.

Why Intimacy Coordinators Matter 


Hollywood has had a reckoning over the last few years with abuse both on and off of the set. There has been a consorted effort to make sure safety is at the forefront.

A job like this matters because you need an ally on set who can go between the actors and director, who can help them rehearse, and who can be a neutral party when problems need to be hashed out.

They're great for insurance companies because they're another person on set looking out for the safety of the actors.

Think of it this way: they're like stunt coordinators but for sex scenes. And if you're going to have a show or a movie, whether on HBO, a studio, or anywhere else, it might be nice to have one around to help you through the salacious parts and to help everyone's chemistry.

What Do Intimacy Coordinators Do On Set?


Intimacy coordinators create a sense of control on the set.

They help you work through the motions of the scene, can be a liaison with the actors, and keep everything above board. They facilitate clear communication and ensure that actors provide informed and ongoing consent throughout the rehearsal and filming process. And they establish clear boundaries and protocols, including the use of safe words.

Intimacy coordinators make sure everyone is comfortable during scenes that require intimacy. That could be a heavy makeout or a sex scene. They help actors talk about how much nudity they're willing to do based on their contracts, they can suss out who feels comfortable doing what in scenes, and they bring intimacy kits with them that help keep everyone protected.

We actually have a free checklist given to us by an intimacy coordinator that you can use to make sure the sex scenes you shoot are all above board.

Even though they cost money, you should really consider having a professional on set not just to cover you for issues that may arise later, but to support the actors and give them a voice so that everyone is proceeding with comfort and safety.

Summing Up Intimacy Coordinators 


Now that you know about the job, you can talk to your actors about having one on set, or you can even consider working within the profession yourself.

The best set is a safe set, where everyone feels comfortable and their art can shine. While intimacy coordinators are not always required, they should definitely be a line item you consider.

Let me know what you think in the comments.