intimacy coordinator

plural intimacy coordinators · alternative intimacy co-ordinator

1. broadcastingA member of a film or stage crew who ensures the well-being of actors who participate in sex scenes or other intimate scenes.

   Back then—only seven years ago, and after #MeToo—there was still widespread industry scepticism about the role of intimacy coordinators, says McAlpine.

   2024 January 30, Elle Hunt, “‘With orgasm people strive for oblivion’: Poor Things’ intimacy coordinator on consent, orgies and Emma Stone”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

   2 more examples

   The issue of intimacy coordinators on George RR Martin-related TV series has recently generated headlines. Sean Bean, who played Ned Stark on Game of Thrones, told the Times that he thought they “spoil the spontaneity”, claiming that “the natural way lovers behave would be ruined” if you had “somebody saying: ‘Do this, put your hands there, while you touch his thing.’”

   2022 September 14, Alexi Duggins, “Thirty-year age gap left House of the Dragon star ‘scared’ ahead of sex scenes”, in The Guardian

   Cast opposite me was Josh McGuire, who was in my year at drama school. I’ve known him for years, so those sex scenes were weird. I was going “Mate, you’re about to see me naked.” But we had an amazing intimacy coordinator. That was the first time I’d worked with one. I cannot believe they used to let actors just get on with that stuff!

   2023 August 13, Michael Hogan, quoting Susan Wokoma, “Actor Susan Wokoma: ‘We all want to be married to Emma Thompson, don’t we?’”, in The Observer

   Synonyms: intimacy director