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Scenes of intimacy can be broadly defined as scenes involving close proximity physical contact and/or nudity. This can be expanded to include familial, friendship and medical touch. Sexual tension and chemistry, where no touching occurs, may also be defined as intimate, depending on the context of the scene and/or show themes. It can also be an element in scenes of sexual violence.

An Intimacy Professional is the collective name used to refer to both Intimacy Co-ordinators (screen) and Intimacy Directors (theatre/live performance).

Intimacy Co-ordinator is the title given to an individual who has been trained to specialise in working on scenes or moments of intimacy for film and television.

Intimacy Director is the title given to an individual who has been trained to specialise in working on scenes or moments of intimacy for theatre productions or any live performance.

It is deemed industry best practice to engage an Intimacy Professional whenever a production includes scenes of nudity, simulated sex or hyper-exposure (a focussed audience gaze on intimate body parts eg a birthing scene.)

Yes. Ask yourself:

• Does the content necessitate special advocacy? 

• Is there a potentially unbalanced power dynamic?

• Would specialist movement advice and creative advocacy add value to the scene and assist the process?

• Can I avoid potential problems during the shoot by addressing them as early as possible with professional support?

• Assess scripts and consult with production to determine scenes that are intimate, and advise on best practice/process to facilitate the authentic creation of those scenes.

• Create an empowered workspace by offering professional process for establishing consent and boundaries between performers. 

• Establish professional language for rehearsal and/ or performance.

• Will be present during rehearsals and filming of intimate content to support specific and clear communication between the director and actors.

• Provide specialised physical dramaturgy / choreographic input into the intimate moments of a scene to help serve the director's creative and artistic vision.

• Ensure the creation of authentic, and repeatable intimate content.

• ‍Assessing scripts to formalise best practise processes for all associated departments in ongoing documentation.

• Establishing and implementing production protocols around intimate scenes.

• Establishing reporting lines to ensure Cast and Crew all have agency and can advocate for themselves as needed,

• Uphold Waivers/ Riders/ Nudity Parameters on-set/ in rehearsal.

• Helping create repeatable action in intimate moments, ensuring efficiency of time on set / in the theatre, and the editing process.

• Run-of-show processes for maintenance of intimate content.

• Post-production documentation.

• By establishing professional Consent language and tools for Actors to best realise the Director’s vision.

• Offering options of physical dramaturgy/ choreography for more complex intimate sequences eg sim sex.

• Ensuring authenticity of intimate touch/ action.

• Helping create repeatable action in intimate moments, ensuring efficiency of time on set / in the theatre, and the editing process.

• An Intimacy Co-ordinator assists actors to physicalise an intimate scene so that it is repeatable and based on character not personal experience, whilst respecting the actors' physical boundaries, which will lead to a smoother, more creative and more time-effective filming process.

• Empowers actors to physically realise the director’s vision for intimate scenes. 

• Initiates conversations around intimacy in scenes, listens to concerns, and creates a safe workplace.

• Is present and supervises during rehearsals and performance, makes suggestions, and shares knowledge.

• Ensures what was discussed beforehand is what happens on the day. From rehearsals all the way through to the performance.

• Identifies power imbalances to ensure everyone has a voice in the intimacy conversation.

• Checks in with actors before, during and after rehearsal / shoot / performance.