Who Needs Intimacy Coordinators?

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One significant outcome of the Me Too movement in film and television has been the increased use of intimacy coordinators. After Ashley Judd, Jennifer Lawrence, and Gwyneth Paltrow shared their stories of encounters with sexual predators like Harvey Weinstein, SAG-AFTRA introduced a new role aimed at protecting actors during simulated sex scenes – an “essential safety measure.” While these professionals can’t solve all the issues in Hollywood, they can help make film sets safer.

Various actors and directors, such as Emma Stone and Karyn Kusama, have commended coordinators for enhancing set environments during sensitive scenes. Michaela Coel, winner of the BAFTA for I May Destroy You, expressed gratitude towards her intimacy coordinator Ita O’Brien, stating, “Thank you for your role in our industry, for ensuring safety, for establishing physical, emotional, and professional boundaries so that we can tackle themes like exploitation, disrespect, and the misuse of power without becoming victims ourselves.” O’Brien was the first intimacy coordinator to work on a Netflix production for Sex Education, paving the way for this role in television and film. At first, she felt like a pioneer. However, it remains uncertain whether the industry continues to view her position in the same light.

In a discussion with Vanity Fair prior to her upcoming role in this year’s “Marty Supreme”, Gwyneth Paltrow, known for her advocacy within the Me Too movement, expressed some reservations – intentionally or not – about the need for intimacy coordinators on film sets. She stated that as an artist, she might feel constrained by specific instructions such as “Then he’ll place his hand here”, especially for actors just starting out. Jokingly referring to her earlier times, she said she was from a period where “You disrobe, you get into bed, the camera rolls.

In recent times, Gwyneth Paltrow’s statements have mirrored those of her contemporaries. Similar to Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey in Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Queer’, both actors utilized an intimacy coordinator, yet Craig expressed that as adults, they were capable of determining their objectives with Guadagnino’s guidance. However, Mikey Madison faced criticism for claiming there was no intimacy coordinator on ‘Anora’. The filmmakers (Sean Baker, Samantha Quan, and Alex Coco) had suggested the option to her, which she declined. This choice, coupled with her refusal, raised eyebrows and was viewed as potential evidence of misconduct online in subsequent weeks. In contrast, Halina Reijn, director of ‘Babygirl’, praised intimacy coordinators for enabling more “daring sex scenes”, between Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson. Yet, some are questioning whether this role may hinder “authenticity” and even making light of the current industry, with directors like Mia Hansen-Løve jokingly referring to them as the “virtue police”.

Intimacy coordination appears quite similar to blocking, a crucial aspect of film or TV production, especially during sex scenes. It involves careful physical coordination to make the scene more authentic and comfortable for actors. However, unlike other roles like cinematography or choreography, intimacy coordination is a newer profession, only recently defined in the industry due to concerns about inappropriate behavior. While it was uncommon five years ago for directors to hire an intimacy coordinator, today there’s often strong resistance to criticizing this role. Given Gwyneth Paltrow’s past experiences with Harvey Weinstein and her recent leanings towards conservative ideas, it’s understandable that she might be skeptical of this practice. In 2017, Paltrow was troubled by Weinstein’s off-set behavior such as hotel meetings, aggressive phone calls, and awards show incidents. More recently, she has shown interest in RFK Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement and supported Rick Caruso, a former Republican mall magnate.

In the silence of celebrities regarding Trump’s influence on governmental structures, or their sudden emergence with conservative viewpoints that seem to undermine the credibility of the Me Too movement, such statements can appear as a setback for the entire entertainment industry. Simultaneously, the pressure felt by female actors when voicing opinions about these topics, like the backlash faced by Madison and potentially affecting her Oscars campaign, seems contradictory to the goals of a more progressive era. It would be beneficial for discussions on intimacy coordination if we all recognize the dynamic nature of this ongoing dialogue.

In summary, this stance shouldn’t be discarded outright or viewed as inherently disruptive and disrespectful towards the creative process. Celebrities should understand the potential consequences their doubts may have on their peers. While they might feel secure, it’s important to remember that not everyone shares this comfort, especially those who are extras rather than main cast members. If actors choose to forgo intimacy coordinators, they are adults, as Daniel Craig said. However, we mustn’t forget that maturity doesn’t always equate to safety, as grown-ups can indeed cause harm.

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2025-03-20 22:54