In a world saturated with sensual media and the popular notion that “sex sells,” it shouldn’t come as a surprise that creating profitable sex scenes has become an industry of its own. Now, with the required certification, people can make a career as an intimacy coordinator, wherein they supervise, direct, and choreograph romance and sex scenes in popular media including television, film, and music videos.
Amanda Blumenthal, owner of Intimacy Professionals Association and intimacy coordinator for shows like Euphoria, describes the process of entering this career. For her, becoming an intimacy coordinator was the perfect blend of sex-positive education and the film industry. She attributes the rise of this field to third-wave feminist movements such as the #MeToo movement, which drew attention to the need for regulated, consensual intimacy within the making of popular media. Especially with the history of sexual harassment in Hollywood, having an intimacy coordinator present as an advocate for safety and support is necessary for the well-being of the actors.
The most important piece of the coordination, according to Bluementhal, is encouraging the actors to communicate honestly with their scene partners and directors about their comfort level and boundaries for the scene. Many actors come into the filming with varying needs and desires; some actors may be comfortable with the entire range of sexual expression on camera while others may prefer to remain clothed as much as possible. In most cases, actors will engage in simulated sex during filming, which utilizes “modesty patches” to cover the genitals from the camera. In some cases, objects are placed between the actors to create a physical barrier between them, and prosthetic penises may be used to make the sex scene look realistic.
Movie and TV show sex scenes, when compared to the overly saturated pornography industry, seem to have the same budget and focus as other aspects of production. This speaks to the skill of the filmmakers and editors who work post-production to make these scenes look and feel as realistic as possible, obscuring some of the clothing and objects that are not intended to be shown. The work isn’t only in post-production, though. A major step to creating these positive sex scenes happens before filming even begins, when actors are first offered roles and negotiate contracts. SAG-AFTRA, the media labor union, has a nudity contract which informs actors of what is expected of them and allows them to negotiate within their boundaries. Actors may dictate how much of their bodies they are willing to show, whether they would prefer a body-double to film their nudity, and if they request a closed-set during production. These negotiations are critical in creating an environment of informed consent for actors even before the production of the film begins.
On some sets, intimacy scenes are simply technical, choreographed from beginning to end, and rehearsed tirelessly. In scenes like these, intimacy coordinators are useful in checking in with the actors throughout the process, ensuring they remain comfortable and cared for even after hours on set. Coordinators can also aid in the choreography of the scene as they are well-versed in sexuality and may have a unique take on creating intimate moments that fit with the narrative of the media. Other directors may request a more free-flowing scene, even asking actors to improvise their intimacy, doing whatever feels passionate and natural in the moment. Intimacy coordinators may be especially helpful in these scenes, discussing the needs and desires of the actors as well as encouraging communication about safety, consent, and boundaries.
As a relatively new industry, intimacy coordination has grown significantly in the past four years and is now a part of casting for high-grossing film and television like the HBO show Euphoria and Netflix’s Bridgerton. These shows are known for their steamy scenes, but also for their younger audience, who tend to be teenagers and young adults. Having an advocate on set for these sex scenes is ensuring that messages of consent and sex-positivity are being communicated to today’s young people, both through the TV show and beyond. Coordinators like Blumenthal hope that someday this role will be required for all media depicting intimacy and that practitioners will be included in the media union along with actors.
Sexual Health Alliance certifications like sex education are a great way to get your foot in the door in this industry. Many coordinators seem to have dual backgrounds in film production and sexual education, which is what makes them uniquely qualified to hold such a specific career. There’s also ways to specialize even further. Clearly there is a need in Hollywood for individuals well-versed in specific iterations of sex, including kink and BDSM, queer and trans sex, and geriatric sex, among other identities and abilities. Having specific knowledge on different forms of intimacy can make you even more competitive in this job market. I recommend checking out the SHA conferences and certificate programs to deep dive into some of these specific subjects and learn directly from experts in the field!
By Sydney Sullivan