Intimacy Coordinators: Standards + Protocols

Intimacy coordinators serve as advocates and liaisons between actors and production in scenes involving nudity and simulated sex. SAG AFTRA’s Standards and Protocols provide a framework for their involvement throughout the entire production process and are designed to protect performers and facilitate collaboration with the least disruption to the production.

The new guidelines were developed in collaboration with SAG-AFTRA members, representatives from Intimacy Directors International and Intimacy Professionals Association, and intimacy coordinators across the country.

"We hear from actors every day how trained intimacy coordinators make them feel safer on set."

Alicia Rodis

Lead intimacy coordinator at HBO

Nudity and simulated sex often have an important role in the telling of a story, whether in the film, television or interactive world. Although performances in these scenes convey strong feelings and powerful emotions to an audience which can be integral to a storyline, SAG-AFTRA also recognizes the unique vulnerability that arises for performers when performing hyper-exposed work.

SAG-AFTRA believes that implementation of the following standards and protocols for the use of intimacy coordinators will allow productions to run more efficiently, provide a safety net for performers and establish specialized support that empowers both cast and crew.

What is an intimacy coordinator?

An intimacy coordinator is an advocate, a liaison between actors and production, and a movement coach and/or choreographer in regards to nudity and simulated sex and other intimate and hyper-exposed scenes.

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These guidelines directly address the problem of sexual harassment on sets.

David White

SAG AFTRA

Intimacy coordinators working with actors on a set

What does an intimacy coordinator do?

• Acts as an advocate who serves as a liaison between actors and a production;

• Ensures that performers and other production personnel adhere to proper safety protocols;

• Serves as a resource in realizing a director’s vision;

• Assumes the role of a movement choreographer if requested by the director to enhance believability;

• Strives to build an environment in which actors understand what is expected of them in hyper-exposed scenes and to give their informed and continued consent.

When do you use an intimacy coordinator?

SAG-AFTRA believes that intimacy coordinators should be hired in scenes involving nudity or simulated sex or upon request for other intimate and hyper-exposed scenes.

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