Yesterday’s post was about how Intimacy Coordinators work with actors. Today, we look at how an Intimacy Coordinator supports a whole production, whether it’s film or TV. Here’s a look at my process:
Pre-Production
An Intimacy Coordinator will provide a breakdown of all intimate moments in the script. This is helpful, because their may be some moments that the director or legal didn’t think of as intimate, but our perspective will flag. This can help a production prepare for rider conversation, or a director think through a scene more clearly. These things will save a production time and money.
An Intimacy Coordinator will converse with the director about vision for the scene(s) as part of the overall story, and working methods. The Intimacy Coordinator is not there to block the Director’s vision, but rather the help create it through clear communication and choreography.
Because an Intimacy Coordinator will talk to the actors, a production can feel assured that the actors are given opportunities to explore and state their boundaries with regards to a scene. Things might change the day of! But, we should be coming into the scene fairly confident of what it’s going to look like.
An Intimacy Coordinator will create or consult on any documents (Closed Set memos, nudity riders, etc.) that may be needed. The production will have its legal ducks in a row!
An Intimacy Coordinator is a new role on set. And we are team players- our job is really to support EVERYONE. We will communicate with others on the creative team (wardrobe, dance choreographer, etc.) on how we can best support each other.
On the Day of Filming (TV/Film)
An Intimacy Coordinator will establish consent-based and trauma-informed practices for filming the scene. Especially for scenes of SA or SV, we want the crew to feel as cared for as the performers.
An Intimacy Coordinator will collaboratively, with the Director and the actors, choreograph intimate scenes that fit the director’s vision, upholds performer boundaries, and tells a dynamic, exceptional story. And, we’ll ask to rehearse it. While this may cause a bit of anxiety with regards to time at first- It’s going to save you time and money! When the actors’ know their choreo, they will be able to invest emotionally in the story, giving you great shots. When the actors’ know their choreo, they will be able to do it the same, every take, making editing easier. A little bit of time spent now makes a lot of time saved later! We can also help give movement notes to make the scene more in line with the story and vision. We’re trained in movement and communication, so talking about these types of scenes clearly is part of the job!
An Intimacy Coordinator will uphold any Closed Set memos or nudity riders. Again, keeping a production’s legal needs in order.
Post-Production
Having an Intimacy Coordinator on your project is good press! Use it as talking points in press releases or interviews!
An Intimacy Coordinator can review edits and/or marketing materials to ensure they fit within performers’ nudity riders and/or stated boundaries.