Like other high-risk elements, intimate and highly exposed scenes require careful preparation and planning – but it is not always clear from the script whether a production contains intimate and/or highly exposed scenes. The script and the director’s vision do not always align, and the degree of intimacy may turn out to be greater or smaller than expected. Therefore, it is important, at an early stage—already when deciding on the production—to try to identify and plan for intimate and highly exposed scenes. It is always better to account for scenes that may not happen than the other way around. In case of uncertainty, a consultation with an intimacy coordinator is recommended.

Before the rehearsal process begins the intimacy coordinator, together with the director and producer, assesses the needs and develops a plan accordingly. Like other complex or high-risk elements, intimate and highly exposed scenes require careful preparation and planning.

If the production only includes occasional scenes, three to four rehearsal sessions are usually sufficient: in the rehearsal room, on stage, and during a technical run-through. Scenes of higher complexity—or productions featuring significant intimacy, nudity, audience interaction, or where intimacy and high exposure are central—require a greater presence of the intimacy coordinator throughout the entire rehearsal process.

Please note that a large part of the intimacy coordinator’s work takes place outside the rehearsal room in the form of administration, conversations with performers, coordination, and meetings.

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 of the scene, the performers, and how the scene is perceived from the audience’s perspective. 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.

The intimacy coordinator ensures that intimate and highly exposed scenes are handled professionally throughout the entire production process. The work encompasses everything from script breakdown and risk assessment to planning rehearsals and performances. It also includes sound, motion picture, or still imagery in the production, as well as still and motion images in PR materials that involve intimate moments.

An intimacy coordinator, also referred as an intimacy choreographer and intimacy director, works from the perspectives of safety, artistic expression, and storytelling. The role follows international standards and is validated through specialized training and, in film and TV, also through 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).

Malin is, in addition to being an accredited intimacy coordinator, also a trained Mental Health First Aider and is qualified to work with minors.

*Certifications and accreditation currently apply to film production, but the expertise is fully applicable to stage productions as well.

The intimacy coordinator is responsible for overseeing intimate and highly exposed scenes in a production. The role involves leading, coordinating, and ensuring both safety and artistic quality throughout the entire process. The intimacy coordinator has expert knowledge in handling physical and emotional intimacy as well as highly exposed scenes, and participates in decisions and changes related to these scenes.

An intimacy coordinator often works solo on a production, but for larger projects or more complex scenes, the role can be expanded with assistants or other specialized professionals.

Like other creative roles, the intimacy coordinator is part of the overall collaboration between production departments and works in close dialogue with the producer, director, performers, costume, makeup, set design, technical crew, audience management, PR, and other relevant departments.