Like other high-risk elements, intimate and highly exposed scenes require careful preparation and planning. Building time into both pre-production and the shooting schedule allows these scenes to be approached safely, creatively, and efficiently.

In addition to pre-production meetings and rehearsals, time should be allocated on the shooting day to review the scene and its choreography, ensure consent, make necessary adjustments, allow for the application of modesty garments, and conduct post-scene debriefings. This extra planning usually results in smoother and more efficient shooting.

Scenes with additional complexity—such as those involving minors, large groups, public spaces, prosthetics, body doubles, or stunts—may require extra coordination time or specific resources.

The intimacy coordinator works closely with production to anticipate these needs early, helping to integrate them into the schedule and budget from the outset. This collaborative planning ensures that safety and artistic integrity are maintained throughout the process and that each scene is approached according to its specific requirements.

Whether a scene is defined as intimate or highly exposed depends on an assessment of content, context, and the scene’s intention. Certain scenes, such as simulated sex, nudity, or scenes with strong sexual content, are always classified as intimate. Other scenes may be perceived as intimate depending on the context, the participants, and their experiences. This shared assessment forms the basis for planning the scene.

Examples of different types of scenes, with or without sexual content, and highly exposed scenes:

Scenes with sexual content: e.g. simulated sex, kissing, masturbation, striptease, sexual dance, nudity, etc.

Scenes without sexual content: e.g. intimate touch, lightly dressed, gynecological examination, childbirth, nudity, etc.

Highly exposed scenes: e.g. intense emotionally charged situations such as death, murder, suicide, panic attacks, trauma.

Scenes involving minors, body doubles, or stunts often require more planning and resources. In larger crowd scenes, it may be necessary to assign additional IC assistants to ensure both safety and artistic quality are maintained.

The intimacy coordinator ensures that intimate and highly exposed scenes are handled professionally throughout the production process. This includes everything from script breakdown and risk assessment to planning, shooting, and post-production, as well as routines for closed or sensitive sets. Through this, a structured workflow is created that prioritizes both safety and artistic expression. When needed, the intimacy coordinator also participates in casting and ADR.

An intimacy coordinator works from the perspectives of safety, artistic expression, and storytelling. The role follows international standards and is validated through specialized training and certification or accreditation.

Certified Intimacy Coordinator has completed training at a recognized institution (e.g., NIC, IPA, IDC) and is trained in protocols, risk assessment, choreography, and consent-based work.

Accredited Intimacy Coordinator in addition to training, has had their professional competence and experience reviewed and approved by a professional organization (e.g. SAG-AFTRA).

In addition to being an accredited intimacy coordinator, Malin is also trained as a Mental Health First Aider (MHFA England) and holds certification for working with minors and children on film sets (City & Guilds Accredited PART, UK)

The intimacy coordinator serves as Head of Department for the intimacy department (IC department) and is responsible for work on intimate and highly exposed scenes. The role involves leading, coordinating, choreographing, assessing risks, documenting, and following protocols to ensure safety and artistic quality throughout the process. The intimacy coordinator has expert knowledge in managing physical and emotional intimacy, as well as highly exposed scenes, and is involved in all decisions and changes related to these scenes.

The IC department typically consists of one intimacy coordinator, but for larger projects or more complex scenes, the team can be expanded with IC assistants or other specialized personnel.

Like other department heads, the intimacy coordinator collaborates closely across production departments and maintains close dialogue with the producer, production manager, first AD, director, actors, costume, makeup, set design, cinematography, locations, and post-production etc.

Lead Intimacy Coordinator
Heads the IC department, overseeing all intimate scenes and managing any additional Intimacy Coordinators. Responsibilities include scene breakdowns, documentation, coordination with departments, risk assessments, and arranging extra Intimacy Coordinators if needed. If no additional Intimacy Coordinator is involved, the Lead is credited simply as “Intimacy Coordinator.”

Intimacy Coordinator (Additional / Extra / Cover)
Supports the Lead or steps in when multiple Intimacy Coordinators are needed for a scene. 

Assistant Intimacy Coordinator
Provides extra support with fewer responsibilities. 

Intimacy Consultant
Advises productions in advance or provides guidance when no on-set support is required. Cannot replace an on-set Intimacy Coordinator for sensitive scenes. In unscripted projects, may offer training or check-ins. Credited as Intimacy Consultant unless otherwise agreed.

Intimacy Coach
This is not an official title and should not be used for Intimacy Coordinators.

Source: BECTU Intimacy Coordinators Branch