I contributed to the development of SAG-AFTRA’s recently released Intimacy Coordinator Standards and Protocols.

My goal is to remove friction so that creativity can flow.

Intimate scenes deserve as much attention as stunts. Having an IC present communicates to your cast, crew, and audience that your project was filmed ethically and with care.

I support the director and creative team in achieving their vision.

• I act as a neutral third party to help the director/showrunner tell the story they want to tell while maintaining an emotionally and mentally safe environment for the actors.

• My goal is to eliminate surprises for the actors. I discuss with actors what they’ll be doing on camera before shooting begins and ensures throughout shooting that the actors’ boundaries are not crossed. This allows them to play freely and explore. 
  

• I can interview actors before they are cast to ensure they are comfortable with and aware of what will be asked of them.

• I act as an LGBTQIA+ advocate and ally on set.

• I collaborate with Make Up on prosthetics for intimate scenes.

I help protect the actors and the network.

• I facilitate the negotiation of the simulated sex and nudity portion of riders to relieve pressure on actors from the inherent hierarchy on set. Sometimes that requires creative problem-solving around choreography, shots, angles, and camera moves to respect their boundaries.

• I am in close contact with the script supervisor to ensure throughout shooting that nothing outside the rider is filmed/will be used to protect the network from legal issues after editing.

• I mitigate the effects of power dynamics on a set so actors feel empowered to express when they’re not comfortable

• I’ll discuss any inappropriate behavior with cast and crew when the need arises to ensure a harassment-free workplace for everyone.

• I ensure that the set is closed according to SAG guidelines.

• I arrange for actors to have their preferred modesty garment options and to learn how to put them on.