An Intimacy Coordinator (IC) is a trained professional who supports actors and crew when creating intimate scenes for stage and screen.

They ensure a safe and respectful environment while collaborating with directors and performers to choreograph scenes that look authentic and believable.

An IC is essential for both cast and crew. For the crew, they create a structured and safe environment, providing clarity around the process, reducing hesitation, and ensuring everyone knows what to do, which helps the shoot run smoothly and on schedule.

They also liaise between departments—production, costume, directors, ADs—so that all aspects of the scene are coordinated efficiently. For actors, ICs ensure that boundaries are respected, consent is given, and their voices are heard. They provide clarity on what’s expected before filming and help choreograph intimate scenes in a way that is safe, believable, and serves the story.

An Intimacy Coordinator should ideally be brought in during the early stages of pre-production. This allows them to have conversations with the director before contacting the actors and, when appropriate, be involved even in the casting process.

Early involvement gives the IC time to plan their work, liaise with relevant departments, and prepare both directors and actors for what the scenes require. While ICs are often associated with simulated sex and nudity, their role extends to any intimate content, including but not limited to kissing, childbirth, intimacy involving minors, breastfeeding, scenes involving body doubles or more explicit and intense scenes such as BDSM, sexual violence, orgies and much more.

An intimacy coordinator translates the director’s vision into movement and performance, helping the scenes look as authentic and compelling as possible without interfering with the director’s creative control.

When asked, an IC can offer recommendations or creative input, but their primary role is to serve the director’s intent. The IC and director work as allies, ensuring that actors can perform comfortably and safely while their creative approach is fully realized.

There are a few common misconceptions about the role of an Intimacy Coordinator.

We are not the “fun police” on set — our job is not to limit the director’s vision or prevent actors from performing as needed. Instead, we are there to facilitate that vision safely and creatively, ensuring that every scene is executed with clarity, consent, and professionalism.

We also work collaboratively with both cast and crew without interfering in the relationships between actors and directors. Another common misunderstanding is that an intimacy coordinator is hired only at an actor’s request.

In reality, our role benefits the entire cast and crew, helping create an environment where everyone can perform confidently, safely, and without ambiguity.