An intimacy professional or intimacy coordinator (film/tv)/intimacy director (theatre) is a member of a production team who specializes in scenes that involve simulated sex, nudity/hyper-exposure, or other forms of intimate physical contact.
I come on board to provide additional oversight to these moments. I facilitate the communication necessary to get the ongoing voluntary consent of the actors while honoring the director’s vision. Depending on the needs of the production, I may provide choreography, language for nudity riders, know-how of modesty garments or masking, and other support. I keep relevant departments informed of the unique needs of these scenes and take pressure off all involved so that these moments can sing.
My presence on set also demonstrates a commitment by the production to work to avoid the historical abuses that have and continue to occur particularly around the inclusion of intimacy in film/tv/theatre. These are sometimes treated as necessary evils to the creative process but are wholly unnecessary, avoidable, and in fact counterproductive to great storytelling and performance. We can do better and it's a lot more fun and productive when we do. I am thrilled that the inclusion of intimacy coordinators/directors on productions is rapidly gaining in popularity even though his position didn't even have a name until 2017. So like most intimacy professionals, I'm new to this! Fortunately, this work aligns perfectly with my extensive experience as an actor, director, producer, teacher, improviser, mover, and communicator.
Education & Training
Intimacy Directors & Coordinators, Inc. | Intimacy Professional Accelerator Program B.A. Dramatic Art | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Morehead-Cain Scholar (4-year full-ride merit scholarship)