On September 25, 2024, SAG-AFTRA announced their decision to organize for the representation of Intimacy Coordinators in the entertainment industry. This means that not only is the importance of the Intimacy Coordinator role being recognized, but so is the need to formalize their protections and ensure they receive the same fair wages and working conditions as their industry counterparts. Are we moving too fast? This role was first officially credited to Alicia Rodis in 2017 on HBO’s The Deuce, but many have been doing this work uncredited - and unrepresented - for many years prior, including CINTIMA Co-Founder, Yehuda Duenyas, who sits on the SAG-AFTRA Intimacy Coordinator Organizing Committee and who was doing this work in New York City in 2007. Too fast? Nah… the time is now.
Intimacy Coordination emerged as a response to the resurgence of the #MeToo movement which unveiled the gross need for safer and more respectful workspaces in the entertainment industry. A need Intimacy Coordinators began to fulfill by facilitating open communication between performers and production, ensuring that consent and boundaries can be respectful in tandem with a directors creative vision for a story, and transforming previous unregulated spaces into professional environments. This is often where the likeness between Intimacy Coordinators and Stunt Coordinators is highlighted, so this is a reminder that Stunt Coordinators are indeed represented by SAG-AFTRA, so let’s remember that Stunt Coordinators don’t always perform when you read the next sentence. This is a union made of performers for performers, and it recognized the vital contributions of Intimacy Coordinators by publishing the Standards and Protocols for the Use of Intimacy Coordinators in 2020. The natural progression is obviously for the union which protects performers’ rights to also represent those who advocate for those performers.
In the year 2024, most of us are likely hip to the [audio] books, podcasts, and TikToks that educate us all about the importance of salary and benefits negotiations, effective workplace communication, D.E.I. and Anti-Sexual Harassment initiatives. Credibility and recognition for valuable work is actually not too much to ask for and it’s no longer gauche to discuss. So… let’s discuss. First off, fair pay and standardized wages are negotiated across different productions and production tiers. Union members also have access to health insurance and benefits. Think about all of the Intimacy Coordination that has happened - before or after 2017, credited or not. None of this work has seen those benefits, while our colleagues on the same projects have these securities. Not to mention that SAG-AFTRA union representation would keep us protected against unfair treatment or unsafe working conditions. Intimacy Coordinators might be great at speaking up for performers, but some of us have a hard time doing it for ourselves, and we deserve it nonetheless. So let’s be honest, joining SAG-AFTRA comes with some major perks for Intimacy Coordinators, and we would like to receive them.
Collective bargaining comes with opportunities and growth, though it may bring some challenges along the way. While minimum standards might limit some flexibility, these protections ultimately benefit not only Intimacy Coordinators but also the performers we safeguard, even on non-union projects. Unionizing brings a sense of structure to when and where we can work, and while dues and fees might feel like a hurdle for those just starting out or working intermittently, they contribute to a stronger, more unified profession. As the union grows, it opens doors for new standards of professionalism and safety across the industry. Although smaller independent projects might need to adjust to meet wage requirements, this isn't a time for scarcity thinking. Rather, it highlights existing issues and encourages productions to elevate their standards—ensuring better conditions for all involved. This is about building a future where everyone benefits, from studios to the smallest independent sets
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) represents the studios and networks that SAG-AFTRA will negotiate with regarding Intimacy Coordinators. As the industry emerges from a year of strikes and change, there's real hope that the AMPTP will see the value of organizing Intimacy Coordinators. While negotiations often happen behind closed doors, one thing is clear: it’s in everyone’s best interest to create safer, more supportive working environments. With Intimacy Coordinators, studios can ensure safety, reduce risk, and protect their talent, all while maintaining cost-effective production practices. Our role is to help them realize how investing in the well-being of their employees is not just the right thing to do—it’s also the most practical decision for the long-term success of their productions.
Intimacy Coordination is a role which deserves the fair pay, protection, and recognition that come with union representation. This conversation is getting louder, and CINTIMA will be a resource as you consider what organizing with SAG-AFTRA could mean for you and your future on set.
In Solidarity,
CINTIMA
