Behind the Scenes of Intimacy

In film production, actors are expected to be highly skilled and well-prepared to perform various scenes. Particularly demanding are intimate and sex scenes. Their authenticity is crucial, but so is ensuring the psychological comfort and safety of the actors involved. These goals can be achieved through cooperation with intimacy coordinators – a practice that aligns with the growing industry standard of good on-set practices.

Who Are Intimacy Coordinators?

Intimacy coordinators are a relatively new professional role within film crews, officially developed and popularised in the United States. Their primary task is to create a safe and comfortable environment for actors when performing intimate scenes. However, their responsibilities go far beyond working solely with actors; they contribute meaningfully at every stage of film production and collaborate closely with other crew members.

“Just kiss already!”

In the past, responsibilities related to coordinating intimate scenes were often handled by directors or choreographers. Over time, however, the industry recognised that such scenes require a more complex and nuanced approach that meets ethical standards and ensures a sense of psychological safety for the performers. Short cues and vague stage directions proved inadequate, considering that not all actors have undergone comprehensive acting training to prepare them for such scenes. Even those with formal education may lack practical experience navigating intimacy on set. This gap is precisely where intimacy coordinators step in.

Improperly managed intimate scenes pose psychological risks to actors and jeopardise the success of an entire production. The industry eventually acknowledged the need to create a separate, specialised position akin to the well-established role of stunt coordinators. Physical safety was prioritised over emotional safety for a long time, and only recently has that imbalance started to be addressed.

The first production to officially include intimacy coordinators in its credits was the 2017 HBO series The Deuce, which focused on the early days of the pornography industry. Since then, productions with significant intimate content—such as Netflix’s Sex Education—have increasingly welcomed the input of intimacy coordinators. The role has steadily gained traction. In the U.S., professionals in this field have been organised since 2016 under the Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC), which collaborates with leading global production houses. Other organisations include Intimacy Coordinators Canada and the UK-based Intimacy for Stage and Screen. Importantly, coordinators are now employed not only in overtly erotic productions but across a wide range of genres.

The Role of Intimacy Coordinators

Today, intimacy coordinators are present at all stages of the filmmaking process—from pre-production through principal photography to post-production.

During script development, coordinators provide input on how intimate scenes are crafted. Their job is to design and guide these moments authentically and consistent with the film’s narrative. Coordinators also assist in determining the tone of a scene, the degree of nudity, the appropriate dialogue, and the number of crew members allowed on set during the filming of intimate content.

Intimacy coordinators work one-on-one with actors during production to prepare them for upcoming scenes. They explain what the scene will entail, provide emotional support, and ensure that actors give informed consent after fully understanding what is expected. This significantly reduces discomfort and fosters a more genuine on-screen performance.

In essence, intimacy coordinators act as mediators between actors, directors, and the rest of the crew. They safeguard the actors’ boundaries and help realise the director’s vision while maintaining artistic integrity.

In post-production, coordinators often review the final footage to ensure it aligns with the film’s creative goals and complies with standards for the respectful and ethical portrayal of intimacy.

The Script May Be Fictional, But the Actor’s Experience Is Real

Every gesture, every touch, and every word matters. Not everything written in a script can be easily translated into performance. Directors’ visions often require careful adaptation to suit actors’ abilities and comfort levels. The involvement of intimacy coordinators builds mutual trust and respect among the cast, ultimately elevating the quality of the final work. As a result, the portrayal of intimacy becomes more believable, the narrative more layered, and the audience more emotionally invested.

Intimacy coordinators aim to reflect realistic emotional experiences while avoiding exaggeration or detachment from reality. Their input also helps challenge stereotypes, particularly those concerning sexual minorities. In this way, they serve a broader social function—promoting portrayals of respectful, consensual, and realistic intimate relationships.

Are Producers Obliged to Hire an Intimacy Coordinator?

Respecting ethical standards and actors’ boundaries should now be considered standard practice. Efforts to standardise best practices around intimacy on screen are ongoing. The American union SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) has issued guidelines on working with intimacy coordinators[i]. Furthermore, SAG-AFTRA has entered into an agreement requiring productions involving its union members to include an intimacy coordinator when intimate scenes are involved.

Although no current law mandates producers to hire intimacy coordinators, working with one should be considered best practice—particularly given the growing awareness of the importance of consent.

Importantly, an intimacy coordinator’s role is not limited to sex scenes. They are invaluable in choreographing kisses, sensual dances, stripteases, and even burlesque performances. Some scenes, by their very nature, can be psychologically distressing—particularly those involving sexual violence. In such cases, the boundary between acting and trauma can become dangerously blurred. Historically, actors feared being pressured into participating in intimate scenes or even losing roles for refusing to perform actions beyond their comfort zones.

By fostering ethical conduct and supporting good filmmaking practices, intimacy coordinators enable producers to realise the director’s vision responsibly. Their presence also helps mitigate the risk of sexual harassment claims during production. For these reasons, producers would do well to consider involving intimacy coordinators in most productions, thereby contributing to creating authentic, high-quality, and ethically sound works.

[i]   Standards and Protocols for the Use of Intimacy Coordinators, SAG-AFTRA, February 2024.