What is an IC?
An Intimacy Coordinator is a collaborative role. They are an advocate and liaison between actors, directors, production and the various departments involved in any element of an intimate scene (for example, ADs, Costume, HMU, Art Department). They are a movement specialist in regards to nudity and simulated sex as well as other intimate and hyper-exposed scenes. It is their responsibility to aim to ensure all parties involved are protected, comfortable and that there is an explicit mutual understanding of what is required, as well as making sure appropriate protocols are followed.
When should you hire an IC?
The BECTU IC branch considers intimacy on screen as currently including the following:
Physical Touch of an Intimate or Sexual Nature:
Including, but not limited to:
Contact mouth-to-mouth kissing
Contact kissing on the body
Making out
Contact with sensitive areas which may include: Chest, Genitals and any other area the artist deems sensitive to them for personal reasons.
Simulated Action of an Intimate Nature
Including, but not limited to:
Simulated Sex (sometimes also called ‘Implied Sexual Action’)
Simulated Kissing
Simulated Physical Touch of an Intimate or Sexual Nature
Additional Sensitive Material of an Intimate Nature (known also as ‘Hyper Exposed’)
• Intimate content that may involve material which the artist feels is exposing or sensitive to them. They may want an Intimacy Coordinator present to facilitate advocacy and support. Examples of possible content might include, but are not limited to: miscarriage, abortion, scenes describing sexual trauma, sexual dance.
Levels of Undress:
• Removal of costume layers until characters are in their underwear or swimwear.
Nudity Levels:
Above The Waist Nudity
Below The Waist Nudity
Full Nudity (including or excluding certain areas of the body as requested by artist)
Full Front Body Nudity (including or excluding certain areas of the body as requested by artist)
Full Rear Body Nudity (including or excluding certain areas of the body as requested by artist)
Implied Nudity - the camera gives the impression that the character is nude however the artist is covered on set with chest and pelvis coverings.
THE WORK.
There are many ways an IC can support the directors, actors and crew of a production in creating the most impactful, authentic and believable intimate performances on screen. Some examples below:
Facilitate clear communication and dialogue between actors, director & production to ensure all parties understand the creative vision and agree on the way it will be filmed.
Ensure that during the filming of a scene the boundaries of the actors are not being crossed and that they remain safe throughout, physically and emotionally.
Supports actors in emotionally preparing for intense intimacy scenes such as simulated sexual violence, ensuring their psychological safety before, during and after the scene is filmed.
Collaborates and coordinate with other departments to facilitate logistics involving scenes of hyper-exposure and simulated sex, ensuring a smooth production process.
When requested, assist in choreography and movement direction of simulated sex scenes to enhance believability.
Consultancy - advising the employer, cast and crew on current consent-based practices.
Documentation - can supply the producer with descriptive language for nudity riders/waivers as well as other documentation such as but not restricted to recommended closed set protocols, risk assessments and reports.
Additional welfare/cast support - they are qualified mental health first aiders and can give resources and advice on basic closure or de-rolling practices in the absence of an artist Wellbeing Facilitator or on set therapist.
Ensures closet set protocols and the relevant nudity guidelines are being followed.
Serves as an on-set ally for LGBTQIA+ cast and crew members.
What The Role Is NOT…
An Intimacy Coordinator is not a trained therapist, acting coach, chaperone, midwife advisor or stunt coordinator, and does not stand in for any other safeguarding and/or specialist personnel required on set for sensitive scenes (which is not restricted only to intimacy). Please see ‘Specialists – Intimate Scene Collaborators’.
They are not part of human resources (HR) for the production
They are not ‘consent officers’ that just stand in the side and look from afar or ‘costume standby replacements’ whose only job is to cover artists up between takes. They are a creative member of the crew contributing to the facilitation and structure of the intimate action.
They are not a solicitor or lawyer that can create legal documents for a production. They can only provide their independent contractor paperwork and descriptive language.
Fun police.