Intimacy Coordinator: Consent, Safety, and Performance

They help answer questions such as:

• What physical contact will happen?
• What are the performers comfortable with?
• How should the scene be choreographed?
• How can boundaries be respected?
• How can the scene be filmed safely?

The goal is to make intimate scenes clear, planned, and respectful.

• discussing boundaries before filming;
• creating a plan for intimate scenes;
• communicating between performers and directors;
• documenting agreed actions;
• helping resolve concerns;
• supporting a safe working environment.

They do not replace the director’s creative role. Instead, they help create a professional process where performers’ boundaries are respected.

Pre-Production Discussion

Before filming, an intimacy coordinator may meet with:

• performers;
• directors;
• producers;
• writers;
• other relevant crew members.

They may discuss:

• the purpose of the scene;
• required physical actions;
• levels of nudity or intimacy;
• performer boundaries;
• safety expectations.

Scene Choreography

Intimate scenes are often planned like other forms of physical performance.

An intimacy coordinator may help establish:

• movements;
• positions;
• timing;
• physical contact;
• camera requirements.

This helps reduce uncertainty during filming.

On-Set Support

During production, an intimacy coordinator may help ensure that:

• agreed boundaries are followed;
• communication remains open;
• unexpected changes are discussed;
• performers feel comfortable raising concerns.

An intimacy coordinator helps support:

• informed consent;
• ongoing communication;
• respect for limits;
• the ability to request changes.

Consent is not only about agreeing before filming begins. It continues throughout the production process.

Even when sexual activity is not real, performers may experience physical and emotional vulnerability.

The coordinator may help establish:

• what will and will not happen;
• how contact is performed;
• privacy expectations;
• professional boundaries.

• bodily autonomy;
• workplace safety;
• protection from harassment;
• respectful treatment;
• clear communication.

Performers remain professionals with the right to set boundaries within their work.

It includes:

• consent;
• safety;
• fair treatment;
• privacy;
• professional communication.

An intimacy coordinator helps productions balance artistic expression with responsible workplace practices.

• authority;
• experience;
• career influence.

Performers may feel pressure to agree to requests from people in powerful positions.

An intimacy coordinator can provide a structured process where concerns and boundaries can be communicated more safely.

Director:

• leads artistic vision;
• guides performances;
• makes creative decisions.

Intimacy coordinator:

• supports consent and safety;
• helps plan intimate actions;
• facilitates communication.

They often work together to create effective scenes.

Stunt coordinator: manages physical risks such as fights, falls, and dangerous actions.

Intimacy coordinator: manages intimate scenes involving physical closeness, nudity, or sexual content.

Both help create safer professional environments.

• consent;
• workplace culture;
• performer protection;
• professional boundaries.

The role reflects changing expectations about how sensitive scenes should be created.

Intimacy coordinators are only needed for explicit sexual scenes.
No. They may also assist with kissing, nudity, emotional vulnerability, and other intimate situations.

Actors cannot set boundaries once they accept a role.
No. Professional consent and communication remain important.

An intimacy coordinator replaces communication between actors and directors.
No. The role supports communication among everyone involved.

Intimacy coordination means scenes are less realistic.
No. Planning can help performers create more confident and effective performances.

1. An intimacy coordinator helped the actors prepare for a sensitive scene.
2. The production hired an intimacy coordinator to support performer safety.
3. Intimacy coordinators help establish boundaries before filming begins.
4. Performer consent is an important part of intimacy coordination.
5. The director worked with an intimacy coordinator to choreograph the scene.
6. Intimacy coordinators support ethical production practices.
7. The role has become more common in film and television.
8. Understanding intimacy coordinator helps explain how consent, performance, and workplace safety connect.

An inclusive approach recognizes that performers have diverse identities, experiences, and boundaries. Intimacy coordination supports dignity, consent, safety, and respect regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or role in a production.

The concept focuses on professional practices and ethical performance rather than defining a person’s identity or sexuality.