Frequently asked questions.
Let’s break this down
Role & Expertise
What does an Intimacy Professional do?
An Intimacy Professional is a safety, advocacy, and communication specialist for scenes involving intimacy, simulated sex, nudity, and heightened vulnerability. We collaborate with directors to choreograph repeatable, story-driven action, establish closed sets and nudity riders, and serve as a neutral liaison between production and cast to ensure consent, comfort, and psychological safety throughout the process.
What’s the difference between an Intimacy Professional, Director, Coordinator, Choreographer, and Consultant?
Intimacy Professional: the umbrella term for anyone using consent-based methods in the arts.
Intimacy Coordinator: choreographs consensual, safe intimate scenes (sex, nudity, violence) as a liaison for actors in film and TV.
Intimacy Choreographer/Director: does the same work as an Intimacy Coordinator, but in theater.
Intimacy Consultant: provides early-stage advice or training.
I’m an Intimacy Professional who can provide all of these services.
What training have you had?
I’ve studied at the top training programs in the U.S. and the U.K. including, Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC), Intimacy Professionals Association (IPA), Open Intimacy Creatives, Theatrical Intimacy Education (TIE), Intimacy for Stage & Screen (ISS), and CINTIMA.
Having tools from all of these different institutions has given me a diverse knowledge of the work and the ability to be flexible in my approach so that I can support cast and crew in whatever way works best for them.
My background in physical acting from Boston University and l’Accademia dell’arte in Italy provide the choreographic foundation for my work.
I’m fully qualified in all areas required by SAG.
Process & Collaboration
When in the production timeline should we bring you on?
As early as possible. This gives me time to speak with production about their vision, breakdown the script, meet with talent, and coordinate with other department heads. My aim is to get everyone on the same page so the days you shoot intimacy go as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
What’s your process?
My process is collaborative and transparent:
Pre-Production
Script analysis, meeting with directors, writers, and/or producers to get a sense of their vision.
One-on-one meetings with each actor involved to discuss boundaries and choreography. If they’re good with everything, great! If they need adjustments, I go back to the director to discuss alternatives.
Coordinating with HODs and establishing production protocols. I can also assist with language for nudity riders.
Choreography & Rehearsal
I adjust the choreography’s specificity to what works best for the actors.
I can work anywhere on the spectrum from more technical talent who want each movement laid out to actors who want room to improvise.
If requested, I can also offer exercises to develop chemistry and trust between talent as well as de-roling techniques for intensive work.
On-Set Execution
I run closed-set rehearsals, facilitate blocking for camera, support the agreements in the nudity rider, and maintain/adjust the choreography as needed with consent.
Scope of Work
Do you work with the director and actors, or just the actors?
I work with everyone. My primary collaboration is with the director to realize their vision. I am a resource for the actors, advocating for their boundaries. I also partner with production (ADs, Costuming, Hair/Makeup), the DP for modesty positioning, and sometimes writers.
I’m a bridge, not a barrier.
Is your work only for explicit sex scenes or nudity?
Not at all. Intimacy coordination applies to a wide spectrum of content: passionate kissing, implied nudity, romantic tension, vulnerable medical scenes, acts of violence with intimate proximity (like strangulation), and any moment requiring heightened vulnerability.
I facilitate safe, professional, and powerful storytelling.
I can also facilitate familial intimacy (like a child actor hugging an adult actor who’s not their parent) to empower young actors to communicate their boundaries so they can give their best performance. Here’s a flow chart to help you decide if you need an IC.
Can you help with scenes of sexual violence or trauma? What are your other specialties?
Yes. One of my specialties is telling stories of complicated consent or non-consent (power dynamics, revoked consent, substance use, etc.). My other specialties include queer intimacy, comedy, drama, Sci-Fi, chemistry development, intercourse, and outercourse/foreplay.
For Producers & Production
Why is hiring an Intimacy Coordinator (IC) a good production investment?
We mitigate risk, increase efficiency, and protect your most valuable assets: cast and crew. By preventing on-set trauma, miscommunication, and re-shoots due to unclear boundaries, we keep the project on schedule and foster a professional environment that attracts top talent. By hiring us, you’ll be in line with the industry’s best practices while saving you time, money, and reducing liability.
Does an IC slow down the shooting process?
Most of my work is done in prep: choreographing the scene in a way that aligns with the director’s vision while working within the actor’s boundaries, coordinating with other departments, and making sure everyone understands the protocols. This reduces guess work, anxiety, or negotiation on the day and let’s us tell the best story possible.
An Intimacy Coordinator saves time.
My set is safe, I have a great relationship with talent, and the actors said they’re good with everything. Do I still need an Intimacy Professional?
Great question! Because the use of Intimacy Professionals rose with the #MeToo movement, it’s a common misconception that we’re only needed if there is an unsafe person or environment.
While safety is a part of the job, I’m not hunting for problems or for someone to cancel.
If you have a great relationship with your cast, great! I’ll support the safe environment you’ve already started, and collaborate with you to tell the story. You have a million things to keep track of to bring your vision to life. I’ll be there to focus on this one aspect so you can do make the best version of your project.
In fact, I’m so passionate about the storytelling aspect of my job, I have a whole podcast about it, called “Faking It.”