Just discovered about on set Intimacy Coordinators after reading this Sean Bean article:

Actor Sean Bean Faces Backlash After Questioning Intimacy Coordinators

From that article:“It would inhibit me more because it’s drawing attention to things,” said Bean, who played Ned Stark in the hit HBO series. “Somebody saying, ‘Do this, put your hand there, while you touch his thing ...’” the actor with a laugh. “I think the natural way lovers behave would be ruined by someone bringing it right down to a technical exercise,” he added.
While I kind of see what he's getting at, I guess they can be likened to say, a dialogue coach or when films bring in a professional in a certain profession to instruct actors on the parts they are playing

In counterpoint, Rachel Zegler posted on Twitter:

"intimacy coordinators establish an environment of safety for actors. i was extremely grateful for the one we had on WSS— they showed grace to a newcomer like myself + educated those around me who’ve had years of experience. spontaneity in intimate scenes can be unsafe. wake up."

My first thought was, I wonder what credentials one must have to become an intimacy coordinator.

What are some of your thoughts regarding this

I think they are a good thing for the industry.

I think it is unfair that Sean Bean is now "facing backlash" for an opinion and now seems to be the poster boy for the topic.

I have heard many actresses talk about how important this is to making them feel comfortable and safe in simulated sex scenes involving nudity, so good for them.

I've read about intimacy coordinators in the past, and do believe they are a necessity on the set in this era for legal reasons alone (plus actor comfort reasons). I have no idea how one would get such a job, but boy I'm sure they have some fascinating stories to tell (but are likely under big NDAs).

Here's some more background:

SAG: Standards and Protocols for the Use of Intimacy Coordinators
https://www.sagaftra.org/files/sa_do...imacyCoord.pdf

Intimacy Coordinators Are Making Waves in Hollywood—Here’s How to Become One
https://www.backstage.com/magazine/a...llywood-69903/

Intimacy Coordinators Are Very Important, Actually
https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/how...dinator-career

In the ever-growing call for on-set safety and consent in the groundswell of the #MeToo movement, intimacy coordinators have become an invaluable asset to performers while filming. This panel pulls back the curtain on the growing field and provides all the answers actors need to know, featuring professional ICs Amanda Blumenthal, Teniece Divya, Sasha Smith, and Claire Warden.

I've never heard of intimacy coordinators, but they make a lot of sense to me. Sean Bean needs to be reminded that he isn't making love, he's performing for the camera.

An intimacy coordinator on the set of Last Tango in Paris would have made Brando unable to force Schneider into an unscripted rape scene. That would have been a good thing.

I've heard of them in the past, and they seemed like a good idea. I guess I can understand Bean's point, but sacrificing some authenticity or natural feeling in exchange for more safety and everyone's well being seems right.

Actors in a movie are not lovers (usually), so why would they need to be natural like real-life lovers? Maybe he should get into porn if he feels a need to do whatever he wants with an actress. If he doesn't want to be told what to do why does he take direction from the director? He almost sounds like a rapey frat boy.

Intimacy coordinators seem important in helping to maintain a safe and comfortable working environment. And I can see how they might be a detriment to someone's performance. Both things can be true. It's ok. Not everything has to be binary.

These are the days when I despise the internet for drumming up "controversy" where there really shouldn't be any.

It's going to depend on the people and situation. I think by and large it's a good thing since, as one of the actresses put it, it's similar to coordinating an action sequence.

Acting is one of the few jobs that require nudity and or simulated sex. No other profession allows that kind of contact. An intimacy coordinator seems appropriate to help with that most unusual job requirement.

Since Intimacy Coordinators are such a new aspect to film sets, I can also understand why older actors (particularly male actors) struggle with how to deal with them. They are now being told how to act in a particular scene. But as stated above, it’s really no different than staging an fight scene.

In the age of #metoo, actors should welcome Intimacy Coordinators (particularly male actors)!

Didn't you guys hear about the dust-up with Frank Langella on the set of Fall of the House of Usher for Netflix?

Frank Langella Fired From Netflix’s ‘The Fall Of The House Of Usher’ After Misconduct Investigation; Role To Be Recast

That's where I first heard about Intimacy Coordinators. Or at least actors having issues with them. I knew they were needed for things like orgy scenes in Euphoria.

The first production to start using them, I think, was on HBO's The Deuce.

My first thought was "They needed an intimacy coordinator for West Side Story?"

That had to be an Ansel Elgort thing.

With Intimacy Coordinators, I don't think a movie like Basic Instinct could be made today. What made that movie so shocking back 30 years ago was how raw and gritty the sex scenes were between Stone and Douglas.

But, I know times have changed and a lot of actors aren't comfortable being intimate with someone who isn't their actual partner to make a love scene so it has to be carefully coordinated and executed.

I'm not sure if times have changed or if people are just more vocal (or are comfortable being more vocal) about what they are ok with doing (without being fired for being a "troublemaker.")

She was only 17 when she was cast and he is 7 years older than her.

If it opens up more nude/sex screens... Im all for it. lol

Everyone has boundaries and if Intimacy Coordinators help establish and maintain boundaries, then I'm all for them. There's been a lot of misconduct in Hollywood and there needs to be a system in place to keep misdeeds from happening. No one should be touched where they don't want to be touched or made to do things that make them uncomfortable.

Sounds like a chaperone.

This is about money. Actors have contracts. If you fire an actor on accusations, no concrete proof, you still have to pay them full salary. Now you have to pay another actor also. I suppose hiring Intimacy Coordinators is cheaper than taking out insurance against the salary you have to pay an actor you fire over allegations.

Agree with pretty much everything already said. Would assume required in this day and age.

Great video post Dex, stuff like this video will help demystify (to use a word brought up by several of the ICs in the video) why it is oftentimes a great thing to be on a set with a IC who is part of the cast and crew.

Yeah I going to be a prude now in my later years...NOT one movie benefits from it anymore.

Shut it down. Then we don't need all this coddling. They signed a contract don't sign and don't whine.

Yeah flame on...

I perform in the theater community here. There are more and more shows with intimacy coordinators and with the stories I’ve heard and the behavior I’ve witnessed first-hand, it’s a good thing. And very, very needed.

And it’s very telling that the only people who seem to be vocally upset about it are dudes.

Why wouldn’t every actor want to make sure their co-worker is comfortable? What kind of selfish asshole would you be if you DIDN’T welcome that kind of communication?

It strikes me as odd that some actors are saying it limits the spontaneity or whatever, but don’t seem to complain about choreographers for fight scenes.

“Sorry, but it just doesn’t feel natural if I can’t throw around a few random haymakers and ninja stars.”