Since the MeToo revelations, so-called intimacy coordinators (something like representatives who ensure during filming that actors are not forced to go beyond their self-imposed limits in front of the camera) have become popular. You are called to the filming location if scenes involving sex or other vulgarities are planned for the film.
Now the Screen Actors Guild, the most powerful acting union in the United States, has issued new rules for dealing with things that happen during the making of a film in connection with erotic sequences or nudity scenes and then leak out. As Deadline reports, intimacy coordinators are now banned from speaking publicly about their work.
The reason for this is statements from Kristina Arjona, the intimacy coordinator of “Miller’s Girl”, a thriller starring Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman. She had revealed about the production of the corresponding intimate scenes that “during the entire process there were many, many people who were involved [Jenna] to make sure it was consistent with what she was comfortable with, and she was very determined and very sure about what she wanted to do.”
Arjona further explained: “It is also part of my job to support their decisions. I adapt to what suits my actors best, especially in a production like this where there is a big age difference between the actors.”
Nothing works without confidentiality
Confidentiality is an important part of the work of such set employees with actresses, according to “Deadline” from the actors’ guild. As part of the stricter measures, virtually any intimacy coordinator who does not adhere to the required standards could now be removed from its register following an investigation by the union. That would be tantamount to a ban on work.
However, there is an exception to when intimacy coordinators are allowed to break their silence. In principle, this remains possible if law enforcement authorities investigate or if actors give express permission for sex scenes to be discussed on set. This was reportedly not the case with Arjona.