GUIDELINES FOR ENGAGING AN INTIMACY DIRECTOR IN LIVE PERFORMANCE

GUIDELINES FOR ENGAGING an
INTIMACY COORDINATOR IN TV/FILM

A NOTE ON THE GUIDELINES

This is a living document and will be updated regularly as intimacy practice evolves, changes and recreates itself. Thus, we ask that you keep checking our website to find the most updated version.

If you wish to share the link to this document do not share the link of the document itself, instead we ask that you share the link to the website page where you can click on the button that directs you to the most updated version.

If you wish to reference information from this document, use it in your research, articles, books etc we ask that you credit Intimacy For Stage & Screen and all the document’s contributors fully (their names mentioned below).

For any enquiries relating to the document please contact:

Press Manager: Press@intimacyforstageandscreen.com
Education Manager: Train@intimacyforstageandscreen.com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CONTRIBUTORS

The guidelines have been created with the support and effort of Equity UK’s Intimacy Working Group:

Adam Burns - Stage Management Councillor
Yarit Dor - ISS Education Manager & IDC Certified Intimacy Coordinator
Nick Fletcher - General List Councillor
Jennifer Greenwood - Equity Women’s Committee
Ian Manborde - Equalities & Diversity Organiser
Lizzy Talbot - ISS Director & IDC Certified Intimacy Coordinator

These guidelines are influenced from the standards and protocols set by SAG-AFTRA and ACTRA’s Best Practices.

THANKS

A huge thank you to Equity UK and Equity Women’s Committee, Kelly Burke and Jennifer Greenwood for their continuous support in bringing safe intimacy practices to the foreground of UK’s entertainment industry.

Thank you to SAG-AFTRA, ACTRA and Directors UK for their guidance and for all those that advised them and cared enough to make intimacy standards acknowledged and respected worldwide.

Thank you to Alicia Rodis and HBO for being the pioneers of intimacy coordination and for establishing a standard for safe intimate practice on set.

Download the guidelines

1.0
INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTIMACY COORDINATION

Strategies for performing and shooting intimacy for screen has been around for many years and implemented by Producers, Production Managers/Coordinators, Directors, AD Teams, Costume Department, Agents and Artists.

In 2004 Tonia Sina coined the phrase “Intimacy Choreographer” in her ongoing research and thesis “Intimate Encounters; Staging Intimacy and Sensuality” (Virginia Commonwealth University). Subsequently, further practitioners worldwide have created their own research into the topic and as such, it is constantly evolving.

The term “Intimacy Coordinator” was created by HBO and Alicia Rodis on the set of “The Deuce” in 2017/2018.
HBO announced in late 2018 that they will employ an Intimacy Coordinator on each show that has nudity or simulated sex. This contributed immensely to the role’s development in the UK and worldwide.

In 2019 Directors UK released their “Directing Nudity & Simulated Sex Guidance”.

In 2020 SAG-AFTRA released their “Standards and Protocols for Intimacy Coordinators”. ACTRA released their “Best Practices for scenes involving nudity, intimacy, simulated sex and sexual violence”. Times Up Foundation published their online guide for actors “Working in The Entertainment: Your Rights in Nude, Intimate and Sex Scenes”.

The Intimacy Coordinator role is now an established position on set in the UK acknowledged by Directors UK, Equity and BECTU.

Development of the organisation Intimacy For Stage & Screen

In March 2016, Lizzy Talbot brought “Intimacy Direction” from the USA to the UK and founded Theatrical Intimacy. In Late 2016 Claire Warden and Yarit Dor joined Theatrical Intimacy as co-founders and in 2017 Theatrical Intimacy became Intimacy Directors International UK, a branch of IDI.
In 2020 it was rebranded as Intimacy for Stage and Screen to include their ongoing work with the recorded media industry as well.

2.0
CONSENT ON SET

Consent is given by the Performer performing the action. Consent can only be freely given if the Performer has full knowledge of the action required beforehand. Any form of coercion negates the Performer’s consent.
Legal Definition in the UK

Section 74 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 in the UK states that: “a person consents if he agrees by choice and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice.”

(http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/contents).

Consent is freely given

The individual has a right to their body and therefore consent is retractable. If for whatever reason the individual feels unsafe emotionally and/or physically they have the right to retract their consent at any point (and also during the shoot). While the consent is retracted, the action previously agreed to can no longer be performed and the Performers, Intimacy Coordinator, Director, Producer and 1AD should negotiate alterations and create a new Nudity & Simulated Sex Rider/Waiver/Clause for that scene before filming can continue.

Consent can only be given if the individual is fully informed

Never assume that if a script has notes that include intimacy then those applying to audition have fully taken that into account. As an employer you must inform your potential employee what the job/role entails and then check their level of consent & agreement. Consent should be attained and checked at all stages.

Consent is the right of everyone involved

If a scene has nudity and/or simulated sex (especially if it is simulation of non-consensual sex), Heads of Departments should check-in with their crew ahead of time to see who is comfortable to be in the closed set and work on that scene. Please do not assume that every crew member is automatically comfortable being in close proximity to that action or hearing it repeatedly.

Consent and the Intimacy Coordinator

The Intimacy Coordinator is a specialist hired to facilitate intimacy choreography in a safe process while overseeing consent.
For more general information on consent: https://www.disrespectnobody.co.uk

For more general information on consent: https://www.disrespectnobody.co.uk

3.0
WHAT IS AN INTIMACY COORDINATOR?

Intimacy Coordinator

An Intimacy Coordinator is a intimacy-movement specialist trained to oversee and facilitate scenes involving nudity, simulated sex or overseeing consent on set.

Their role involves:

Advocacy

The Intimacy Coordinator serves as an advocate for the Performers and Crew on set during intimacy scenes. Examples of advocacy include:

• Oversees closed set protocols along with the 1st Assistant Director;

• Oversees Nudity & Simulated Sex Waiver/Riders during shoot along with the producers;

• Can assist with conflict resolution and can advise on ways to prevent sexual harassment on set;

• Can be a third party during costume fittings;

• Can be a third party during placement of microphones close to sensitive areas.

Liaison

The Intimacy Coordinator liaises and collaborates with departments (eg. costume, hair and make-up, props, stunts, SFX, VFX etc.) with regard to intimacy considerations.

Intimacy Choreography

The Intimacy Coordinator collaborates with the Performers, Director and Director of Photography to create intimacy choreography rooted in the storytelling. The Intimacy Coordinator continues to adjust the choreography to the needs of the Performer and for camera angles or shot sizes throughout the shooting process.

Important:

• An Intimacy Coordinator should be a Mental Health First Aider which can provide immediate support and aid in a sensitive situation (see training section 5.0). They are not a trained therapist. If a Performer or crew member is triggered or suffers a mental health crisis they need to be directed to a trained therapist that is not part of the production team.

• Power Dynamics exist on set and as such we highly recommend that an Intimacy Coordinator does not work as a Stunt, Stunt Coordinator, Assistant Director, Producer, Director etc. on the same production.

4.0
STRUCTURE OF THE INTIMACY DEPARTMENT

There are levels of expertise within the intimacy department such as: a Lead Intimacy Coordinator, Co-Intimacy Coordinator and Trainee.

• Lead Intimacy Coordinator is head of their department (intimacy) and main Intimacy Coordinator on the production. If unavailable on the day they will bring a Cover or Co-Intimacy Coordinator.

• Co-Intimacy Coordinator is a second Intimacy Coordinator working on the production or an additional Intimacy Coordinator brought in to help the Lead Intimacy Coordinator on the day if, for example, there are multiple intimacy scenes shot at once or many background artists performing simulation or nudity.

• Trainee Intimacy Coordinator is an Intimacy Coordinator In-Training. They may assist or only shadow. This is dependent on the decision of the Lead/Co-Intimacy Coordinator.

5.0
WHEN SHOULD I HIRE AN INTIMACY COORDINATOR?

In order to keep performers safe, we recommend an Intimacy Coordinator be brought in to facilitate the following scenes:

An Intimacy Coordinator is essential for scenes including:

• Nudity & Simulated Sex Riders / Waivers / Clauses

• Simulated Sex

• Nudity

• Semi-Nudity

• Undressing to a state of nudity/semi-nudity

• Non-consensual action (please see footnote 1) such as Simulated Sexual Assault, Simulated Sexual Violence, Simulated Sexual Manipulation.

• Kissing on the body

• Intense mouth-to-mouth kissing

• Groping or Making Out

• Portrayal of contact with chest or genitals

• Presence of Child Actors, Young Adult Actors or Vulnerable Artists in a scene containing intimacy (see footnote 2 ans please see terminology Appendix 1)

• Use of prosthetic genitalia or prosthetic breasts

An Intimacy Coordinator is recommended for scenes including:

• Insinuation of sexual actions

• Mouth-to-mouth Kissing

• Any instances in which a performer requests an Intimacy Coordinator

Footnote 1: Any intimacy involving violence requires a Stunt Coordinator present as well.
Footnote 2: The Intimacy Coordinator will work closely with the 1st Assistant Director and the Chaperone to oversee the child’s protection. Involving minors in intimacy scenes is

6.0
WHAT TRAINING OR EXPERTISE SHOULD
AN INTIMACY COORDINATOR HAVE?

Practitioners enter this profession in different ways and from a variety of backgrounds. This section is a recommended process incorporating valuable information which can help engagers ascertain the level of expertise and the training of a candidate.

Recommended Hiring Process:

• Ask for a CV of Intimacy Coordination credits and related training. (An engager should get familiarised with the intimacy coordination training providers available worldwide and their reputation/credits/training structure).

• Interview the Intimacy Coordinator

• Obtain a recommendation from a Director, Producer, 1st Assistant Director, Performer, DOP or another experienced Intimacy Coordinator.

Expertise & Training:

An Intimacy Coordinator should have all of the following:

01. Professional Experience:

A CV containing the following:

• “Intimacy Coordinator” and/or “Co-Intimacy Coordinator” credits. (Note, “Intimacy Direction” is not the same job).

• Professional experience working directly with Performers and Directors in a professional setting.

• Previous experience of working on-set.

• Professional experience in movement instruction for actors. This should include teaching movement based disciplines which require knowledge of anatomy, basic biomechanics and movement pedagogy tools (crucial skills in order to create action, adapt it quickly and to be able to explain verbally or demonstrate if they have an assistant).

02. Intimacy Coordination Certification Training:

We recommend that the Intimacy Coordinator should be fully certified. They should have attained a minimum of 130 hours of taught contact time in their training prior to the mentoring stage (shadowing & assisting on set as a Trainee). Such training should be led and assessed by an experienced Intimacy Coordinator/s or an established training body focused on Intimacy Coordination.

Topics of training should include:

• Advocacy

• Intimacy Choreography, Technique & Masking

• Intimacy Kit

• Health & Safety Equipment

• Basic Filmmaking Studies

• Industry Standards and Contracts

• Consent and Sexual Health

• On Set Etiquette

• Protocols and Problem Solving

03. Health and Safety Training:

The Intimacy Coordinator should provide evidence of qualifications in:

• Adult Mental Health First Aid

• Sexual Harassment & Bullying Awareness

• LGBTQIA+ Awareness

• Diversity & Equality Awareness

• Bystander Intervention Training

• Conflict Resolution Training

• Creative Industries Safety Passport

• Emergency First Aid

If a show involves minors, or vulnerable artists, additional training in:

• Safeguarding of Children in the Entertainment Industry

• Youth Mental Health First Aid

04. Criminal Record Check

• Demonstrating no sexual, violent and/or safeguarding offences (DBS or equivalent)

7.0
STANDARDS AND BEST PRACTICES

If you wish to hire an Intimacy Coordinator we highly recommend you do so in the pre-production stage in order to achieve a safer and more effective process.

Pre - Production:

• Request a CV, recommendation and interview the Intimacy Coordinator.

• Confirm engagement, receive their rate card (from them or their agent) and sign a contract prior to any work on the show.

• Schedule Intimacy Meetings

• Discuss Intimacy Process

• Connect the Intimacy Coordinator to Heads of Departments

• Book intimacy rehearsals before the day for the Performers, Intimacy Coordinator and Director (highly recommended if and when possible).

Day of Shoot:

You should expect the Intimacy Coordinator to:

• Review all health & safety equipment and modesty garments.

• Oversee and manage the Closed Set Protocols along with the 1st Assistant Director.

• Facilitate Intimacy Choreography.

• Be present during shoot to choreograph intimacy, assure continued consent and to modify action as needed.

• Ensures that the footage on the monitor maintains the Nudity & Simulated Sex conditions agreed in Waiver/Rider. This responsibility is shared with the Producer / Executive Producer present on set.

Post Production:

• The Intimacy Coordinator will be available for the Performers if they have questions or concerns.
• The Intimacy Coordinator can be available during the editing process

7.0
RATES & CONTRACTING CONSIDERATIONS

Rates

• Minimum rates of Lead Intimacy Coordinators and Co-Intimacy Coordinators should be set in parity with other heads of department.
• Many Intimacy Coordinators in the UK currently follow the minimum rate card of the PACT Equity Stunt Coordinators.

Contracting

Intimacy Coordinator contracts require various clauses to protect both the production and the service provider. We advise against hiring an Intimacy Coordinator on a general Deal Memo. Intimacy Coordinators or their agents will have service/consultancy agreements of their own.

To see the Appendix please download guidelines_for_engaging_intimacy_coordinators_june_2020.pdf.

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