Explainer / What exactly is an intimacy coordinator and what do they do? The #MeToo movement led to a rise of the new profession in Hollywood – now films and TV shows like Blonde and Bridgerton employ them on set
- Alicia Rodis blazed the trail after she was hired by HBO show The Deuce – the role involves choreographing scenes that require nudity and sexual intimacy while ensuring informed consent among actors
- Sag-Aftra has even extended its membership to include the new profession, which can earn one up to US$1,450 per day, but Jennifer Aniston recently said she didn’t need one while shooting The Morning Show
“I’m from the olden days, so I was like, ‘What does that mean?’” Aniston, 54, told Variety. “They said, ‘Where someone asks you if you’re OK,’ and I’m like, ‘Please, this is awkward enough!’”
While the Friends alum might have opted out, intimacy coordinators are changing the way sex scenes are being filmed in Hollywood. Many of our favourite shows like Bridgerton, Euphoria and House of the Dragon have prioritised the involvement of an intimacy coordinator on their sets.
But what exactly is an intimacy coordinator and what do they do?
Why are intimacy coordinators important?
The role of intimacy director has come to prominence in Hollywood in recent years, following the distressing revelations surrounding Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, who was convicted of rape and sexual assault in 2022. The consequent #MeToo movement also helped several high-profile celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lawrence, Ashley Judd and more shed light on the pervasive culture of sexual abuse within the industry.
The impact of the Weinstein scandal underscored the critical need for a dedicated professional on set, entrusted with the task of safeguarding the security and consent of actors when filming hyper-exposed scenes.