The job of intimacy coordinators in film and television has been taken under the microscope and shone a glaring spotlight in the past few years. These skilled practitioners are trained not only to choreograph intimate scenes, but to ensure the comfort and safety of actors as they navigate potentially vulnerable moments. Notably, Gwyneth Paltrow recently requested an intimacy coordinator to “step back a little bit” while filming her new project, Marty Supreme. This situation has shown the disturbing nature of the relationship between actors and intimacy coordinators. Beyond that, it’s a fascinating look at how perceptions of this evolving profession are changing.
Intimacy coordinators are a big part of filmmaking now. In addition to powerful creative contributions, they steward the safety and health of cast and crew on set. Adelaide Waldrop is a nationally recognized intimacy coordinator. She feels like the success of her work is visible when it’s part of the production and easily blends in.
“I know I’ve done a good job on a set when nobody notices me at all.” – Adelaide Waldrop
The idea of hiring an intimacy coordinator is new to mainstream filmmaking. Derivatives of this position have existed for decades. Susie Bright notably choreographed sex scenes for the 1996 film Bound, paving the way for future professionals in this field. The need for intimacy coordinators had skyrocketed in waves, far exceeding the number of people who had been trained for such a profession.
“There was a lot of demand very quickly for this role that outstripped the ability of people who had just started to figure out what it was to appropriately train people to do it well,” – Adelaide Waldrop
Here in the United States, intimacy coordinators are unionized under SAG-AFTRA, giving them added protections and standards. And the UK has established its own registry for intimacy coordinators via Bectu. This decision emphasizes the industry’s increasing worldwide acknowledgment of their essential role.
Even as they become more common, intimacy coordinators contend with issues imposed by their emergent field. Waldrop noticed that many young people come into the field underloaded. In doing so, they seek notoriety rather than focusing on the core mission it should take.
“I do feel like some people get into this job because they think you get to be the confidante to famous movie stars and become someone who’s praised for changing the industry for the better,” – Adelaide Waldrop
Here’s the rub, she warned to never let the public spotlight be our flashiest siren call, it can easily distract from their mission.
“But I don’t think having a big public profile as an IC is helpful,” – Adelaide Waldrop
The stories from actors that have worked with Intimacy Coordinators highlight the importance they can serve on set. Stars such as Michelle Williams, Alexander Skarsgård, and Emma Stone have publicly raved about their work with these artisans. Florence Pugh admitted intimacy coordination is a work in progress. She noted that Hollywood is still getting a handle on how to better incorporate this new role into productions.
Intimacy coordinators work with actors to provide emotional and physical safety during intimacy coordination. They’re arguably more important when it comes to navigating sensitive or potentially triggering situations. Taylor Hunt, an intimacy coordinator with over 60 productions under her belt, emphasized the need for intentionality and choreography. She was on the set early to ensure intimate scenes went smoothly and felt safe.
Recently, actress Jennifer Lawrence spoke about her experience working with an intimacy coordinator on the film Die My Love. Though she did appreciate this, she mentioned that her costar Robert Pattinson was such a zen presence that you didn’t need to go through that level of coordination.
“My role already gets a lot of unwanted attention, and it can be a distraction to the work,” – Adelaide Waldrop
Yet even these well-intentioned conversations about intimacy coordination are fraught with complicating factors. Many former and current coordinators have shared experiences of invasive scrutiny into aspects of their personal lives and lived experience. Waldrop re-told stories in which men belittled her work when there wasn’t a professional setting to shield them from their own bad behavior.
“Or it’s a lot of, ‘Oh we could use one of you at home with me and the missus’, and questions about my sex life,” – Adelaide Waldrop
That intimacy coordinators ARE NOT mental health professionals. In fact, they consider it their responsibility to protect actors by making emotionally charged scenes as safe as possible. Most importantly, they ensure that all parties involved are at ease and treated with respect.
To be certified as an intimacy coordinator, one must complete in-depth training and accumulate paid credits on a minimum of five productions. This intensive training process is critical so that they are prepared to meet the unique dynamics that come with intimate scenes.
With the growing adaptations the film industry is undergoing, intimacy coordinators are adapting. They’re located right at the nexus of creative expression and actor safety, responding to emerging threats as they come to the surface. Their contributions are finally being recognized as vital to preserving professionalism and artistry on a film set.