Understand Your Rights. Solve Your Legal Problems
Intimate scenes in film and television have always been complicated. From simulated sex and nudity to deeply vulnerable moments like childbirth or medical examinations, actors are often asked to expose themselves physically and emotionally in ways that can leave a lasting impact. For decades, these scenes were handled informally, with little to no safeguards in place.
That began to change after the #MeToo movement, when Hollywood confronted the abuses of power that had long gone unchecked. Out of that reckoning came the rise of the intimacy coordinator—a professional now seen as vital to modern storytelling, though not without controversy.
So what exactly does an intimacy coordinator do—and why are they at the center of Hollywood’s latest legal battles?
The first major production to credit an intimacy coordinator was HBO’s The Deuce (2017), a series set in New York’s porn industry. For the first time, actors were given structured support to navigate explicit material safely.
Since then, the role has exploded. SAG-AFTRA—the union representing screen actors—now requires productions to make a “good faith effort” to hire intimacy coordinators when intimate scenes are involved. Today, more than 100 certified ICs work across global productions, from Netflix dramas to Disney blockbusters.
As intimacy coordinator Amy Northrup explained, "Anything asking people to put their bodies in a hyper-exposed, vulnerable state is where intimacy coordinators can be effective team members."
Despite misconceptions, intimacy coordinators are not “sex police.” Their job is to create a safe, respectful, and authentic process for actors and filmmakers alike. They work as a creative collaborator, much like a stunt coordinator, to translate a director's vision into safe, choreographed actions. For instance, they might meticulously stage how an actor positions their body to appear nude while a modesty garment remains unseen by the camera, or they may ensure physical barriers are in place during a kissing scene.
Their work includes:
Their guiding principles, as outlined by the Intimacy Professionals Association (IPA), are:
There is no single career path to becoming an intimacy coordinator. Many come from acting, choreography, or theater backgrounds, bringing with them a specialized understanding of performance and consent that differs from standard filmmaking degrees. Certification programs—including those accredited by SAG-AFTRA and led by organizations like Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC)—provide training in:
On average, intimacy coordinators earn $60,000–$90,000 annually, with union minimums around $1,500 per day on large productions.
Recent lawsuits underscore just how high the risks are when productions fail to employ intimacy coordinators.
In 2023, stunt double Devyn LaBella filed a lawsuit against Kevin Costner and the producers of Horizon 2, alleging she was forced to perform an unscripted rape scene without prior consent or intimacy coordination. LaBella claims she was humiliated, physically uncomfortable, and traumatized, describing the moment as “an abomination” of union safeguards. Costner’s team has denied the allegations. The case remains active and could reshape how studios approach IC hiring. You can read more about the lawsuit's details in this People magazine report.
In 2024, actress Blake Lively filed a sexual harassment suit against co-star and director Justin Baldoni, alleging inappropriate conduct on set. Critics quickly noted the on-set controversy surrounding the role of an intimacy coordinator. While the production did hire a coordinator, Baldoni has claimed in his lawsuit that Lively refused to meet with her before filming began. This case highlights how even A-list productions can leave gaps in safety protocols, and how a lack of full collaboration with the IC can be a central point of legal contention.
Not everyone in Hollywood embraces intimacy coordination. Gwyneth Paltrow has said she felt “stifled” by the presence of an IC, preferring the old-school approach of stripping down and filming. Jennifer Aniston and Michael Douglas have expressed similar skepticism, suggesting that the role interferes with artistic freedom.
But critics argue this ignores the reality of power imbalances. As journalist Barbara Ellen noted, "Intimacy coordinators are not just for lead actors or directors—they are designed to advocate for everyone, especially the powerless on set."
At their core, intimacy coordinators represent progress in an industry that has too often overlooked the well-being of its most vulnerable workers.
Just as stunt work requires experts to avoid broken bones, intimate work requires experts to avoid broken trust.
What is an intimacy coordinator? An intimacy coordinator is a professional who choreographs and supervises intimate scenes (sex, nudity, vulnerable situations) to ensure safety, consent, and authenticity.
Are intimacy coordinators required in movies? SAG-AFTRA mandates that productions make a good-faith effort to hire them when intimate content is involved. While not legally required in all cases, major studios increasingly use them as standard practice.
What qualifications are needed? ICs often train in trauma-informed consent, movement coaching, and modesty protocols. Many come from acting, directing, or choreography backgrounds.
How much do intimacy coordinators make? They earn between $60,000 and $90,000 annually, with union day rates averaging $1,500.
Intimacy coordinators are more than behind-the-scenes extras. They are legal safeguards, creative collaborators, and emotional anchors for actors performing some of the most vulnerable work in cinema. As the lawsuits against Kevin Costner and Justin Baldoni show, the stakes are no longer just about comfort or artistry—they are about legal liability and workplace ethics.
In the post-#MeToo era, hiring an intimacy coordinator is no longer just good practice. It’s an industry standard—and a moral imperative.
