How intimacy coordinators help make on-screen sex sexy and safe

The film’s sex scenes may seem polished, but behind the camera they are carefully crafted by intimacy coordinators eager to change the way Hollywood does things.

Once upon a time a young role intimacy coordinators have become a normal part of filmmaking since the #MeToo movement began in 2017. Jessica Steinrock, CEO of an organization that trains intimate directors and coordinators, said the profession has grown exponentially in recent years.

“When I started, there was no precedent,” Steinrock told Yahoo Entertainment. “We were only hired by those who were ahead of the game or who cared deeply about the safety of the actors. If you’re filming a scene that involves nudity or simulated sex, having an intimacy coordinator is now a given.”

This shift was confirmed by SAG-AFTRA in 2023. contract ruleswhich require producers to “make every effort” to hire intimacy coordinators for scenes involving nudity or simulated sex. The union recently took another step by unanimously voting in favor of unionize intimacy coordinators.

Next year the profession will reach another milestone with its first ever Professional Summit on Intimacya conference bringing together directors, producers and coordinators to set industry standards.

But despite the growing recognition, Steinrock said the field is still evolving.

“We’re still in the early stages of this work,” she said. “It’s no longer the wild, wild West of intimate work. We have matured as a profession, but we still have room to grow and change.”

Mechanics of intimacy coordinators

Lizzie Talbotintimacy coordinator Baby And Bridgertonsaid the need for these professionals became apparent during her early stage work, when there was “no accepted terminology” for handling intimate scenes.

“The actors often had to draw directly from their personal lives,” she told Yahoo Entertainment. “The damage was often mental and emotional, but more importantly, invisible.”

Contrary to popular misconceptions, Steinrock, who did not take part in Baby or Bridgertonsaid that intimacy coordinators are not scene directors. They are the creative collaborators who provide the “mechanical support” and “facilitation of movement” that support the director’s vision. This often involves choreographing moves, providing security, and working closely with costume designers.

“We’re here to support the director’s vision within the cast,” Steinrock explained. “The relationship between director and actor is sacred, and I personally value it very much, as do many of my colleagues.”

Talbot approaches intimate scenes with a similar mindset, focusing on choreography as a storytelling tool. Orgasm scenes, often considered taboo, are not perceived differently.

“I approach them like any other choreographic moment,” Talbot said. “An actor may have a specific process for this, and I don’t want to discourage that, but I will always offer tools like movement, breathwork and vocals if the actor asks.”

Steinrock reiterated the importance of flexibility and compassion when filming such vulnerable scenes.

“It depends on how the actor wants to work,” she said. “Some actors want to stay in the moment and do take after take, while others might say, ‘I’ll do one take and I need a five-minute break.’ It’s about giving actors the tools they need to feel agency and autonomy in their creative work.”

Boundaries and consent are top priorities, especially in sensitive scenes that require arousal.

“When playing with orgasm and arousal, it can feel like the actors’ performance is in line with how they express pleasure in real life, and that’s not what we want because it’s very revealing to them,” Robbie Taylor Hunt, intimacy coordinator for LGBT projects like Red, white and royal blue And Mary and Georgetold Yahoo Entertainment.

To address this issue, Hunt said those scenes required “concrete discussion” with the actor and director about how the sexual responses fit the character.

More broadly, Hunt noted that intimacy coordinators can even provide unexpected sex education by challenging misconceptions and ensuring presentations are genuine and not based on “examples or stereotypes.” Sex scene in Red, white and royal blueFor example, earned praise from the audience who used to think two gay men couldn’t have missionary sex.

“IC exists to offer suggestions on how to create a queer sex scene in a way that feels realistic and exceeds basic expectations,” Hunt said. “By doing this, we can help avoid making something that gets a bad reaction from the queer community upon release, and instead celebrate these scenes.”

Stories from the set

Recent films such as Miller’s GirlBaby And It ends with us emphasized the importance of intimacy coordinators.

Nicole Kidman, who worked with Talbot on Babypraised the protective atmosphere created by the production team during the filming of a series of masturbation scenes.

“We all showed tremendous care,” Kidman said on press conference in August. “It was very authentic, protective and real at the same time.”

Justin Baldoni, director and star It ends with usalso noted that the intimacy coordinators took the film to a new level.

“It was really important to have them on set—not only so we could all feel safe, but because they were also incredible collaborators with great ideas that really elevated the film,” Baldoni said. Harper’s Bazaar India.

These sentiments were supported by Baldoni’s colleague Blake Lively, who said Digital Spy that “choreography is critical to everyone’s safety” in the film’s sex scenes.

Ewan McGregor, who worked with the coordinator on Gentleman in Moscow.This role provides protection against power imbalances.

“If an older, famous director comes up to a 22-year-old girl and says, ‘I want you to be naked in this scene,’ that actress might think, ‘Oh my God, I have to do that.’ – said McGregor Radio Times. “Five years later she could look back and say, ‘I wish I hadn’t done that.’ Why am I naked in this scene? This is not necessary.”

Emphasizing that intimacy coordinators benefit everyone on set, McGregor added: “It’s still necessary because it’s about the crew as well. … It’s an important part of the job now because it’s who the director and the actors meet in the middle.”

More than safety

Talbot emphasized that her role goes beyond ensuring the physical safety of actors, likening it to how a stunt coordinator provides specialized tools for difficult scenes.

“We deal with a huge range of topics—from miscarriage to sexual assault—that can affect not only the performers, but also those who work closely with them,” she explained. “Sharing expert knowledge of how intimate scenes work helps every department and the entire production runs more smoothly.”

Steinrock believes the profession is essential to building trust.

“Intimate scenes involve a high level of vulnerability, and actors deserve special support in such moments,” she said. “Our role is to ensure that borders are protected and actors are able to do their best work.”

Steinrock added: “Coordinating intimate relationships is not only about safety, but also about better storytelling.”