AMY WHITWORTH INTIMACY COORDINATOR
INTIMACY FOR
STAGE AND SCREEN
10 YEARS OF INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Amy Whitworth is an intimacy coordinator, actress and wellbeing advocate, based in the UK.
As an intimacy coordinator in the UK, Amy specialises in the choreography and safe navigation of intimate scenes involving simulated sex and nudity.
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Her approach to intimacy coordination focusses on consent led practices and processes that aid and not hinder the artistic process.
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With over 10 years experience in the high end feature film and entertainment industry, working as a professional actress and assistant director, Amy has a wealth of experience.
Her understanding and lived experience of this world is invaluable to her work as an intimacy coordinator, enabling her to create both a supportive and creative environment in which to foster truly beautiful work.
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Professional clientele include
Intimacy Coordinating - Acting - Assisstant Directing - Life Coaching
WORKING WITH INTIMACY | TESTIMONIAL
“To say I had a great experience with Amy, one of our intimacy coordinators, would be an understatement! As well as being an absolute professional, Amy has a lovely warm, fun and calming energy when approaching her work. I immediately knew I could speak to her about anything and voice any concerns without any fear of judgement. I can’t thank her enough for making my first on screen ‘intimacy’ scenes a relaxed, happy and safe environment. Thank you Amy!”
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- Imogen G (Actor)
What is Intimacy Coordination?
Intimacy coordination is a relatively new but rapidly growing field in the entertainment industry, primarily within theatre, film and television productions. Its main purpose is to ensure the safety, comfort, and professionalism of actors and performers during scenes that involve intimacy, nudity, or other sexual content.
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Intimacy scenes are a prominent part of storytelling for both screen and stage. Intimacy directors and coordinators are trained professionals responsible for choreographing and overseeing these scenes to prevent harassment, boundary violations, and physical or emotional harm to the actors involved. Ensuring both performers and crew feel safe and comfortable.
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The #MeToo movement and increased awareness of workplace harassment have led to a growing demand for correct intimacy practice to ensure that actors are not subjected to uncomfortable or exploitative situations during the filming process. The role of an intimacy coordinator is to create a safe and professional working environment for all involved, allowing actors to focus on their performances without fear of harassment or harm.
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Consent and Communication: Intimacy coordinators facilitate open and honest communication between actors, directors, and producers. They help establish clear boundaries, discuss actors' comfort levels, and ensure that all parties involved fully understand the nature of the intimacy scenes they are involved in.
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Choreography: Intimacy directors and coordinators work with actors to choreograph the physical movements and actions required for intimate or sexual scenes. This includes defining hand placements, body positions, and other physical interactions.
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Safety: ICs perform essential safeguarding on set. They prioritise the safety of the actors by addressing concerns related to physical comfort, health, and any potential risks involved in performing intimate scenes. They may recommend the use of props or modesty garments to protect the actors' modesty and wellbeing.
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Rehearsals: Intimacy coordinators conduct rehearsals with actors to ensure that they are comfortable with the choreographed actions. These rehearsals allow actors to practice and become more confident in performing their intimacy scenes.
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On-Set Presence: Intimacy coordinators are present on the set during the filming of intimate scenes to provide support, guidance, and make any necessary adjustments to ensure the actors' comfort and safety. They are there to ensure correct closed set protocol when necessary.
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Advocacy: They serve as advocates for the actors, helping them communicate their concerns and needs to the production team. They can also work with directors and producers to find creative solutions that maintain the artistic integrity of the project while respecting the actors' boundaries.
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Education and Training: In order to produce safe intimacy scenes ICs undergo extensive training. The discipline is multifaceted requiring training and experience in a multitude of areas. ICs are often trained in the principles of consent, communication, and physical safety. They may also have a background in theatre, dance, or movement to effectively choreograph intimate scenes. It is essential intimacy coordinators undergo continuous development and training in this ever evolving environment. View Amy's training, qualifications and experience.
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There are several pathways to becoming an IC including mentorship and courses. Amy has co-founded Partners In Consent intimacy collective, with fellow IC Stella Moss, and they hope to provide more accessible training to those wishing to start their IC journey.
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Safe Sets
The Wellbeing Revolution!
How Intimacy Coordinators and Wellbeing Departments are Facilitating Safe, Ethical, and Supportive Environments on Set
How Intimacy Coordinators and Wellbeing Departments Are Paving The Way Forwards In a New Era of Ethical Film Making.
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Safe Sets: Intimacy Coordination and The Wellbeing Revolution
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In the ever-changing world of theater, TV, and film production, a significant transformation is unfolding behind the scenes. As the industry continues to evolve, the importance of fostering secure, ethical, and supportive environments on set has become increasingly evident.
Intimacy coordinators (ICs) and well-being professionals are now stepping into the spotlight and are the captains in the wellbeing revolution.
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The creation of these departments represent a paradigm shift towards safe sets, with major production companies like Netflix (known for "Sex Education"), HBO ("The Deuce"), and Hulu ("Normal People") embracing the movement. However, it's not blockbuster productions on board. The entire entertainment community is taking note, and it's heartening to witness short films and off-West-End theatre productions also embracing the movement.
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What Do Intimacy Professionals Actually Do?
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How did the intimacy coordination role come about?
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In the aftermath of the "MeToo" movement and the 2017 Weinstein scandal, the necessity for intimacy coordination became unmistakably clear. Actors and crew members began to courageously share their stories of uncomfortable and potentially exploitative experiences once "in the room". This served as a profound wake-up call for the industry, prompting a profound shift toward prioritising consent, respecting boundaries, and upholding ethical conduct on set.
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Intimacy directors and coordinators now play a vital role in ensuring the safety and emotional well-being of everyone involved in a production. These professionals act as crucial intermediaries, effectively bridging the gap between the director's artistic vision, the demands of production, and the individual consent and boundaries of the actors when it comes to filming intimate scenes.
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Many actors have been sharing their positive experiences of working with IC's. They not only ensure safe set practices but the existence of protocols and processes also allows for more creative freedom and confidence in front of camera, with every individual being fully aware of what's happening and what the limits are.
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What do intimacy coordinators do?
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Intimacy professionals are responsible for choreographing and supervising scenes involving physical intimacy, nudity, and sexual content. You can liken their role to how a stunt coordinator is used for action sequences.
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From navigating an actors first kiss, to more complex sex scenes, the role of the intimacy coordinator is pivotal in creating an atmosphere of consent, trust, and safety during these vulnerable moments, ensuring that actors can perform comfortably and authentically. They are experts in scenes of intimacy and act as an advocate and liaison between actors, performing hyper-exposed scenes and scenes of simulated sex, and other departments on set.
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How do you become an Intimacy Coordinator?
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The US have led the way in the intimacy coordination arena, with groups such as the "Intimacy Professionals Association" and "Intimacy Directors and Coordinators" working with actors unions like SAG-AFTRA to pave the way forwards in establishing best practice and establishing education pathways. The UK has quickly followed suit, with Equity UK also releasing guidelines on performing an intimate scenes for their members.
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To become an intimacy coordinator you need to develop skills, experience and qualifications in many fields and topics including:
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diversity and inclusion
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well-being
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LGBTQIA+
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sexual harassment
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sexual violence awareness
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power dynamics
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choreography
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set etiquette
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acting
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BDSM and kink
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IC's have specific knowledge about "closed sets" and practical aspects of filming hyper-exposed scenes, such as the correct use of modesty garments (e.g. merkins) and barriers to avoid genital contact.
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The role of an an intimacy coordinator takes strong interpersonal skills and an ability to talk about simulated sex confidently. It is important to have an inclusive attitude and a full understanding of the mental and physical requirements of performing hyper-exposed work, not only from an actors stand point but from all point of views of the individuals involved.
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Working on a set can be fast paced and it is important to create culture of consent to ensure all involved feel safe. Mentorship is actively encouraged in this field, with many training programs highlighting this as an important part of the learning process.
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The Future of a More Inclusive and Ethical Entertainment Industry
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The increasing presence of intimacy coordination and well-being departments signals a promising shift. Overall these departments are rapidly emerging as vital components of the art of modern film making. They provide a safe, ethical, and supportive environment on set, placing the well-being of people at the heart of the creative process.
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As these departments become standard practice, the entertainment industry is set to become more inclusive, creative, and sustainable, promising a brighter and more responsible future. In an industry built on storytelling, it's high time that the safety and wellbeing of those telling those stories take center stage.
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Please click here for information about intimacy coordination services.
