From Communication to Consent: The Top 5 Skills Every Intimacy Coordinator Needs
- Evelyn Fogleman
- Apr 11, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 13, 2023
With the rise of the #MeToo movement, the importance of consent and communication during intimate scenes has never been clearer. As a result, the demand for intimacy coordinators has increased, and the industry is looking for experts with these unique skills. But what exactly are those skills? As the role has continued to evolve, it's essential to understand what skills an intimacy coordinator brings to a set and how they are used to create a consent-forward environment.
This article will explore the top five skills every intimacy coordinator should possess, from a deep understanding of consent to adapting to different working styles and environments.
What is an Intimacy Coordinator?
An intimacy coordinator is a professional who works on film and television sets to ensure that intimate scenes are safe, respectful, and consensual. They work with actors, directors, and crew to choreograph intimate scenes, set boundaries, and ensure everyone involved is comfortable with the process.
The Importance of Intimacy Coordination in Film and Television
Intimacy coordination has become essential to film and television production in recent years. It involves working with actors, directors, and crew to ensure that intimate scenes are safe, respectful, and consensual. The #MeToo movement has brought much-needed attention to the importance of consent and communication during intimate scenes, and the industry has responded by hiring more intimacy coordinators.
Actors can feel more comfortable and empowered by working with intimacy coordinators during intimate scenes. They can set their own boundaries and feel confident that their rights will be respected. Directors can also benefit from working with intimacy coordinators, as they can ensure that the scenes they are filming are safe, respectful, and consensual.
Intimacy coordination is not just important for the safety and well-being of actors, however. It can also help to enhance the storytelling of a film or television show. By working with an intimacy coordinator, directors can ensure that intimate scenes are filmed in a way that is authentic and emotionally resonant while also being respectful and consensual.
Top 5 Skills Required for an Intimacy Coordinator
Intimacy coordination is a complex and challenging job that requires a unique set of skills. Here are the top five skills every intimacy coordinator should possess:
COMMUNICATION
Communication is perhaps the most critical skill an intimacy coordinator can possess. They must communicate effectively with actors, directors, and crew to ensure everyone is on the same page. This includes listening actively, asking questions, and providing feedback clearly and concisely.
Effective communication is also essential when discussing boundaries and ensuring that everyone involved in the filming process can give ongoing consent to the specific actions involved in the intimate scenes being filmed. Intimacy coordinators must be able to navigate potentially sensitive conversations with actors and directors while also prioritizing safety, respect, and creativity.
BOUNDARY SETTING
Setting boundaries is another critical skill for an intimacy coordinator. They must be able to help actors define their boundaries and ensure they are respected at every point in filming intimate scenes. This requires detailed, active listening and non-coercive communication between the intimacy coordinator and the performer.
Intimacy coordinators must also be able to set boundaries with directors and crew members. They must be able to communicate clearly what is and isn't acceptable when it comes to filming intimate scenes, and they must be willing to advocate for the rights of actors when necessary.
ADVOCACY
Advocacy is an essential skill for an intimacy coordinator. They must be able to advocate for actors during intimate scenes and ensure that their rights are protected. This includes being able to speak up when actors feel uncomfortable or unsafe and working with directors and crew members to address any concerns.
Intimacy coordinators must also be able to advocate for the importance of consent and communication during intimate scenes. In addition, they must be able to educate actors and crew members on the importance of these concepts and work to ensure that they are integrated into the filming process.
CONSENT EDUCATION
Consent education is another critical skill for an intimacy coordinator. They must be able to educate actors and crew members on consent and boundaries and ensure that everyone involved in the filming process understands the importance of these concepts.
This includes explaining consent and how it can be given and withdrawn. It also involves working with actors to ensure they understand their boundaries and how to communicate them effectively.
CHOREOGRAPHY
Choreography is a unique skill that intimacy coordinators must possess. They must be able to use choreography to enhance storytelling while reducing discomfort. This includes working with actors and directors to create a series of authentic and emotionally resonant movements while ensuring each action remains within the performers' boundaries.
Intimacy coordinators must also be able to adapt their choreography to different working styles and environments. They must be able to work with directors and crew members to ensure that the filming process is as smooth and efficient as possible while still prioritizing safety, respect, and creativity.
Intimacy Coordination Training and Certification Programs
Intimacy coordination is a relatively new field, and working professionals continue to develop and evolve standards and protocols for working professionals. This includes developing training programs and certification processes to educate the next generation of IC's and provide them with the high-level skills they need to be effective on set.
Some organizations offering IC training and certification include:
SAG-AFTRA has also released the SAG-AFTRA Intimacy Coordinators & Directors Registry, a registry of intimacy coordinators meeting SAG's established training and industry experience criteria.
Conclusion
Effective intimacy coordination requires a deep understanding of consent, communication, boundary setting, advocacy, and choreography. By possessing these skills, intimacy coordinators can help to ensure that intimate scenes are safe, respectful, and consensual for everyone involved.
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