What is an
Intimacy
Coordinator?
An Intimacy Coordinator is an advocate for actors, as well as a liaison between actors, producers and directors for scenes that involve nudity, simulated sex, intimate physical contact or hyper-exposed work with minors.
By utilizing consent-based approaches and facilitating an environment where the director’s vision can be honored without jeopardizing the safety of actors, we can collectively create impactful scenes and stories.
The work of an Intimacy Coordinator is collaborative. There are many ways an Intimacy Coordinator can support a director’s vision while advocating for actors in a way that results in the best, most believable performances on screen.
Here’s a list of ways an Intimacy Coordinator can support your production:
Facilitates clear communication between actor, director and producers to ensure all involved understand the creative vision and agree on how it will be filmed.
Prepares nudity and intimacy consent riders, upon request.
Supports actors in physically and emotionally preparing for intense scenes involving violence, non-consensual intimacy, consent withdrawal or unclear consent. Checks-in with actors to help them de-role from the character.
Collaborates with costumes, props and locations to facilitate logistics of scenes involving nudity and simulated sex, allowing for a smooth production process.
Protects actors’ boundaries during the filming of the scene and adapts to last minute changes to boundaries in real-time so production can keep moving in a way that aligns with the director’s vision and actors’ boundaries.
Safeguards minors in scenes involving familial intimacy such as hugging, hyper-exposed work (taking a bath) or experiencing a first kiss in front of cameras.
Ensures closed set protocols and SAG-AFTRA guidelines are being followed.
Choreographs simulated sex, upon request, using trauma-informed practices and de-sexualized language.
Serves as an on-set ally for LGBTQIA+ cast and crew.
Consults on topics such as casting notices and scenes/stories involving minors, disability, non-monogamy and alternative lifestyles.
Services
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Intimacy Coordination
As an intimacy coordinator, Meleane works with production, directors and actors to ensure the creative vision is achieved while keeping actors informed. She supports production with consent-forward practices, nudity riders, modesty garments and ensures SAG-AFTRA guidelines are being followed for scenes involving nudity and/or simulated sex.
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Choreography
When requested, Meleane creates movement and choreography that fits within actors’ boundaries. With her extensive dance background, she specializes and is most interested in scenes involving striptease, pole dancing, burlesque and aerial arts.
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Consulting
As a consultant, Meleane works with writers, directors, producers, department heads and actors to ensure accurate storytelling in the areas of non-monogamy, polyamory, alternative lifestyles, pole dancing and burlesque. She also works with creatives to ensure accessibility, sensitivity and harm reduction for intimate scenes involving performers with disabilities, as well as hyper-exposed scenes with a minor.
Meleane Havili