Intimacy Coordinators: A Necessity, Not a Luxury
Intimacy coordinators have been making headlines recently, and while the increased awareness is encouraging, it’s also important to address some common misconceptions about their role. Recent events, such as the decision to forgo an intimacy coordinator on the set of Sean Baker’s Anora and the legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni during the production of It Ends With Us, have sparked a vital conversation about the necessity of intimacy coordinators in film and television. While we won’t delve into the specifics of these cases—only those directly involved have the full context—they highlight why intimacy coordination is not just a luxury but an essential part of creating safe, respectful, and professional sets.
At CINTIMA Intimacy Coordinator Training, we believe that intimacy coordinators are crucial to fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and creative collaboration. These recent controversies underscore the need for clearer communication about what intimacy coordinators do and why their presence should be a non-negotiable standard in the industry.
Why Intimacy Coordination Matters
Intimacy coordinators bring a structured, professional approach to scenes involving simulated sex, nudity, or other intimate content. Their role is to ensure that every detail is planned, consented to, and executed with care. At CINTIMA, we train intimacy coordinators to act as neutral third-party advocates, empowering actors to express and reinforce their boundaries without fear of retribution. But their role goes beyond safety—they are also there to help directors achieve their creative vision.
Just as you wouldn’t throw an unplanned punch in a fight sequence without choreography and safety measures, the same level of planning and care should be applied to intimate scenes. Intimacy coordinators are not there to limit creativity—they are there to expand it by providing a framework that allows everyone to work confidently and collaboratively. When boundaries are respected, and everyone feels safe, it opens the door for more authentic and impactful performances. Intimacy coordinators help create an environment where directors can explore their vision without compromising the well-being of their cast and crew. By fostering open communication and intentional planning, intimacy coordinators ensure that the creative process is both safe and inspired.
But the benefits of intimacy coordination extend far beyond the actors and directors. Crew members, such as camera operators, costumers, and set dressers, also deserve to work in an environment where they are informed and comfortable with the material being filmed. Imagine arriving on set one day and unexpectedly being asked to work on sexually explicit material without prior notice or consent. Intimacy coordinators ensure that everyone involved is prepared and respected, creating a safer and more professional environment for the entire team.
The CINTIMA Approach to Intimacy Coordination
At CINTIMA, we train intimacy coordinators to approach their work with a trauma-informed, collaborative methodology. This includes:
Pre-Production Planning: Intimacy coordinators meet with directors, producers, and actors to establish protocols, discuss boundaries, and plan intimate scenes in advance. This ensures that everyone is on the same page before filming begins.
On-Set Advocacy: During filming, intimacy coordinators act as a bridge between performers and production teams. They ensure that scenes are executed as planned, adjustments are made with consent, and any concerns are addressed immediately.
Post-Scene Check-Ins: After intimate scenes are filmed, coordinators check in with performers to address any emotional or psychological impacts. This ongoing support helps maintain trust and well-being throughout the production.
CINTIMA’s training also emphasizes the importance of clear communication and creative clarity. By choreographing intimate scenes with precision, intimacy coordinators help directors and actors achieve their artistic vision while prioritizing safety and consent.
Moving Forward: Making Intimacy Coordination the Standard
The conversations sparked by Anora and It Ends With Us highlight a larger issue within the industry: the need to normalize intimacy coordination as an expectation, not an exception. These cases serve as a reminder that intimacy coordinators are not just about preventing harm—they are about fostering a culture of respect, transparency, and collaboration on set.
At CINTIMA, we are committed to advancing this work by training intimacy coordinators who can advocate for performers, communicate effectively with production teams, and ensure that every moment of intimacy is intentional and consensual. Our goal is to make intimacy coordination a non-negotiable standard for all productions involving intimate content.
A Call to Action for the Industry
The recent controversies have shown that the industry still has work to do in embracing intimacy coordination as a fundamental practice. We invite filmmakers, producers, and studios to join us in this effort. By prioritizing safety, respect, and professionalism, we can create sets where artistry and collaboration thrive.
At CINTIMA, we believe that intimacy coordination is not just about protecting performers—it’s about elevating the entire creative process. Let’s work together to make sets safer, more inclusive, and truly collaborative spaces where everyone can do their best work. Intimacy coordinators are here to support the vision, expand the possibilities, and ensure that creativity flourishes in an environment of trust and respect.
