WHAT DOES AN INTIMACY
COORDINATOR DO?
THREE KEY "DO'S"
according to Intimacy Directors and Coordinators
Advocate
We advocate for actors' safety when rehearsing and filming intimate scenes.
We make sure that everyone involved in the filming of a scene sets their own boundaries and that said boundaries are respected.
We advocate for consent-forward practices and trauma-informed communication (incl. non-violent) communication.
We advocate for anti-racism and EDI practices.
We advocate for diverse representations of intimacy and take on the responsibility when it comes to underrepresented communities or historically stereotyped minorities.
Liaise
We liaise with all departments involved in live performing or filming an intimate scene to ensure the safest and most efficient and processes and best results.
These departments include professionals such as:
- Actors, dancers, singers, performers (and their agents); directors; writers; producers.
But also people operating in the following departments:
- Deputy stage managers, stage managers; costume and stage designers; camera departments; production designers; wardrobe; camera crew; sound and light technicians; stage technicians... and all their assistants, who do invaluable work.
Choreograph
We come up with choreography for the performers.
Choreography needs to...
a) be based on freely given and reversable consent of each performer
b) be repeatable
c) incorporate all other C's (see the five pillars of intimacy coordination)
We choreograph collaboratively with the performer and incorporate the performers' ideas in the final scene. We aim to fulfill the director's vision and work closely with them while respecting the performers' boundaries.
Choreographies are built with different ingredients, a bit
like a favourite recipe for a beautifully layered cake.
What are the five pillars of IC ?
You might have heard of the five pillars of Intimacy Coordination- or not, but here they are as proposed by Intimacy Directors and Coordinators :
1. Consent
2. Communication
3. Context
4. Choreography
5. Closure
WHAT IS CONSIDERED INTIMACY?
Intimacy is a complex and multifaceted concept that can encompass a variety of different behaviors, actions, and emotional states. At its most basic level, intimacy refers to a sense of closeness, trust, and vulnerability. This can manifest in a number of different ways, including:
Physical intimacy
Physical intimacy refers to any kind of physical contact or interaction that can include but is not limited to sexual or romantic acts This can include holding hands, kissing, petting, hugging, cuddling, caring for an elderly or sick person or an infant, medical appointments, and sexual activity.
Cultural Intimacy
Cultural intimacy refers to the closeness and interconnectedness with their cultural practices that people feel as individuals or within a group sharing this cultural identity. Cultural intimacy can correlate with religious intimacy, but is not limited to it.
Intellectual intimacy
Intellectual intimacy refers to the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and intellectual pursuits with another person. This can involve engaging
in deep conversations, discussing intellectual topics, and exploring
new ideas together.
Emotional intimacy
Emotional intimacy refers to the sharing of personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences with another person in a way that creates a sense of closeness and trust. This can involve deep conversations, sharing of secrets, and offering emotional support.
Religious intimacy
Religious intimacy refers to the intimacy a person might encounter when engaging in religious practices or rituals, or when connecting with the divine, God, the universe, ancestors, or when handling religious artefacts that are meaningful and of importance for their faith.
Spiritual Intimacy
Spiritual intimacy can coexist with religious intimacy, but not only. It refers to the closeness and intimacy a person might encounter when engaging in spiritual practices such as praying, meditating, chanting, manifesting, breath work, or journaling, engaging with nature - anything that deeply connects the spirit to something else or oneself.