1. What is an intimacy coordinator, and why is it important?

Answer:
An intimacy coordinator is a professional who ensures that intimate scenes in film, TV, and theater are conducted safely, respectfully, and with clear communication. Think of us as both the safety net, trusted guide through potentially vulnerable moments on set, and choreographer! We make sure everyone involved feels comfortable, their boundaries are respected, and the scene is executed as creatively, story-focused, and authentically as possible.

2. How do you ensure safety and comfort during intimate scenes?

Answer:
Safety is my top priority! I begin by reviewing the script and identifying all intimate moments. I then meet with the director to discuss these scenes in detail to fully understand the scope of the work. Afterward, I communicate these parameters with the actors, checking in on their boundaries and ensuring everything aligns. If adjustments are needed, I work with the director and production to address them ahead of time, saving us valuable time on set.

On the shoot day, I make sure everyone feels heard, checking in before, during, and after each scene. I stay at the monitor to ensure we're capturing what we’ve agreed upon and that the physical storytelling is clear and purposeful. Intimacy should never feel chaotic—it’s about fostering an environment of trust where everyone can perform at their best. After all, a safe set is a happy set!

3. What scenes require an Intimacy Coordinator??

Answer:
Great question! According to SAG-AFTRA, an intimacy coordinator should be hired for any scene involving nudity, simulated sex, or upon request for other intimate or hyper-exposed moments.

In my professional experience, you should definitely bring on an intimacy coordinator for:

• Simulated sex acts (of any kind)

• Nudity—implied or on camera—including for background actors

• Bathing or shower scenes

• Childbirth scenes

• Depictions of domestic violence or non-consensual encounters

• Any scene involving intimate content with or around minors

• Anytime an actor requests one

I strongly recommend hiring an intimacy coordinator for:

• Scenes involving high emotional vulnerability

• Hyper-exposed moments (e.g., actors in undergarments)

• Lip-to-lip kissing

• Stylized or heavily choreographed intimate moments—yes, even meaningful eye contact across a crowded room can need support depending on context

If you're considering bringing an intimacy coordinator on board (and I hope you are!), I’d be happy to chat through the details with you in a consultation. I’ll always offer honest guidance—even if that means recommending another coordinator who’s a better fit, or talking myself out of a job because the scene doesn’t require it. Your story and your team’s safety come first.

4. How do I know you won’t compromise my vision as the director?

Answer:
Totally fair question, and I get it! New roles on set can feel like unknown territory. But my job as an Intimacy Coordinator isn’t to limit your vision, it’s to help realize it, safely and effectively. Think of me as a psychological stunt coordinator: I support the emotional and physical storytelling you want to achieve, while ensuring that everyone involved can do their best work in a safe and respectful environment.

This is a deeply collaborative process. Before we ever get to set, I meet with you and your team to fully understand the tone you are going for, your aesthetic, and your goals for the scene. Then I help translate that vision into choreography that fits your world, works for your actors, and avoids potential hiccups or costly delays on the day.

A common misconception is that ICs restrict performance or get in the way of spontaneity. In reality, I find that actors have more freedom once clear boundaries are in place. When they know exactly what’s been agreed upon (what’s welcome and what’s off-limits) they’re free to fully embody their characters without second-guessing or worrying they’ve crossed a line. That confidence and clarity enhances the performance and keeps the focus where it belongs: on the story you’re telling.

5. Can you help with both film and theater productions?

Answer:
Yes! I’ve worked in both film and theater, and while the setting and logistics may differ, the core principles of intimacy work remain the same: clear communication, consent, choreography, and collaboration. Whether it’s a film set, TV show, or live stage performance, my goal is always to ensure that intimate moments are portrayed with authenticity and care. It’s all about setting the stage for both creative expression and actor safety.

6. How do you collaborate with directors and producers on set?

Answer:
Collaboration is key! I work closely with directors and producers to ensure that the intimacy scenes align with the creative vision while maintaining a safe and respectful environment for cast and crew alike. We discuss everything from the scene’s tone to any specific movements or boundaries that need to be considered. Consider me a psychological stunt coordinator, dedicated to bringing the director's vision to life while safeguarding personal boundaries and maintaining an emotionally and mentally safe environment for everyone involved.

7. Do you offer virtual intimacy coordination services?

Answer:
I don’t offer virtual intimacy coordination services because it's crucial to see the actors' body language and interact with the cast and crew in real-time. Intimacy coordination is all about reading the room and ensuring everyone feels comfortable, which can be tricky to do effectively over video calls. On-set, I’m able to observe the physical dynamics, check in with everyone’s comfort levels, and make adjustments in the moment—something that’s difficult to do remotely. So, for everyone’s safety and comfort, I prefer to be there in person. That being said, I’m happy to negotiate a consultation!

8. Does Certification matter when it comes to hiring an Intimacy Professional?

Answer:
Certification is a hot topic in the industry! It’s important to recognize that a certified intimacy coordinator has undergone specialized training, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to create a safe, respectful, and effective environment for intimate scenes. Certification ensures the professional adheres to industry standards and ethical guidelines, safeguarding actors’ boundaries and maintaining the integrity of the scene.

While experience is essential, certification provides an added layer of confidence that the intimacy coordinator is not only highly qualified but also committed to the highest safety and professionalism standards on set. That said, some intimacy professionals may not be certified but have gained significant experience in the field, making them excellent candidates for your production. As a certified intimacy coordinator, I can confidently say that certification has enhanced my ability as a movement professional, but ultimately, the decision is yours.

9. How far in advance should we hire an intimacy coordinator for a project?

Answer:
The sooner, the better! Ideally, I like to get involved early in the pre-production process. This allows us to have meaningful conversations about the scenes, plan out choreography, and ensure that everyone’s boundaries are clearly defined. If you’re working with an actor for the first time or planning a particularly challenging scene, early planning can help everything go smoothly.

10. What is the craziest scene you’ve ever worked on?

Answer:
I never quite know how to answer this question! If by "crazy" you mean most stressful, I once coordinated a scene with eight cameras, ten actors paired up, all improvising seduction scenes in a single, uninterrupted hour-long take. I don't think I blinked once that whole hour! If by "crazy" you mean wild choreography, I once staged a scene where a man had to carry a woman into a human-sized birdcage. You truly never know what the next scene will throw at you!

11. What happens if an actor has a physiological reaction in the middle of the scene?

Answer:
It’s a great question! During intimacy scenes, even when everyone knows it’s choreography, the body sometimes responds as if it’s real. Blood rushes to extremities, pupils dilate, and all sorts of fun biological things can happen. Your brain might know it’s staged, but your body doesn’t always get the memo.

If that happens, no big deal. An actor can quietly pull me aside, and we’ll either adjust the choreography or take a quick pause to ground and reset. It’s handled professionally and with care, no judgment, no fuss. Honestly, it’s much rarer than you’d think, and in my experience, it’s happened maybe once.

12. Do you work in the pornography space?

Answer:
I haven't yet, but I’m open to it depending on the project. In the adult entertainment industry, you may be looking more for a consent specialist than a traditional intimacy coordinator. Intimacy coordinators are primarily trained to choreograph simulated sex scenes and nudity for film and television. In pornography, because the acts are not simulated, the choreography aspect is less central—but maintaining clear boundaries, ongoing consent, and a safe, respectful environment is just as important.
Every performer and crew member deserves a consent-forward, inclusive space. I know several intimacy professionals who work in this space, and I’m always happy to have a conversation about how I can support your project.

13. How did you get into intimacy coordination? The long story, please.

Answer:
Completely by accident and a little bit of fate.

I was living in New York, working every job theater had to offer: props on Broadway, directing tiny black box shows, acting in whatever space would have me. Big stages, small stages, glamorous, gritty… you name it, I did it. After a few years, though, I hit a wall. I was tired. I needed a change. Around that time, my entire family had migrated west to Los Angeles, and I thought, why not? I packed my bags and gave myself six months to figure it out.

When I got to LA, I did what any theater kid in a new city would do: I scoured Facebook for anything even vaguely artsy to sink my teeth into. Someone mentioned a free workshop through LA Stage Alliance (which has since been permanently closed), and I showed up with zero expectations. The topic that day? Intimacy coordination. Something I had never even heard of.

It was like someone had built a job out of everything I loved most. Here was a job that combined choreography, advocacy, emotional safety, and supportive storytelling. I sat there thinking, This. This is it. I knew by the end of the day that I wasn’t just interested—I was all in.

I dove into training immediately. And then, just a few months later... COVID hit. The whole world froze. But I didn’t. I Zoomed my way through workshop after workshop, learning, practicing, absorbing everything I could. I officially became certified in 2023, and I haven’t looked back since.

That six-month LA trial? It’s turned into five amazing years (and counting). Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of traveling for work—helping create safe sets everywhere from Montana to New York to Louisiana.

Today, intimacy coordination is my full-time career, and honestly? Even on the hardest days, I’m still a little in awe that I get to do this. It’s the best accident that ever happened to me.