Intimacy Professionals Association (IPA) was founded to bring together experienced intimacy professionals in the television and film industry who share the vision of creating intimate content that is produced safely, ethically, and with authenticity in mind.

SAFETY

The work of an actor can be dangerous at times, and on many levels. Whenever an actor is asked to do something that could be physically dangerous, a stunt coordinator is brought in to walk them through the movement and make sure the stunt is done safely. The need for such a position is immediately obvious to anyone watching because physical injuries are apparent to the naked eye; we all know and can see that a sprained ankle is painful and debilitating.

Unfortunately, the mental and emotional safety of actors has not been taken as seriously as their physical safety over the years; psychological wounds cannot be seen, but that does not mean they are not real or less painful. When performing in scenes of intimacy, actors are in a very vulnerable place. Due to the power dynamics that exist on sets—whether that be between an actor and a director, executive producers, or a screen partner that is a celebrity—actors can be put in compromising positions that are ripe for boundaries being pushed too far or crossed completely. When this happens, actors can be traumatized, or previously experienced trauma can be re-triggered, both of which can cause intense psychological pain. Such situations are harmful not only to the actors, but to the production as well as they can lead to poor performance from the actors or even a shut down of production if an actor refuses to continue a scene.

So how does one protect the emotional and psychological well-being of one’s actors? By having an intimacy coordinator present on set during scenes of intimacy. Intimacy coordinators (IC’s) are present through the whole process of making intimate scenes—from prep to shooting to post—to ensure that the actors are safe and that their boundaries are respected. IPA-trained intimacy coordinators receive extensive training in IC protocols, trauma and sensitivity training, consent, conflict negotiation skills, sexuality education, and more.

ETHICS

No actor should ever have to perform an intimate scene under duress. Historically it has not been uncommon for an actor to feel pressured to do more than the terms laid out in their nudity rider for fear of being fired or branded as being “difficult.” Intimacy coordinators ensure that content is being produced ethically by obtaining informed consent from actors regarding the level of nudity and simulated sex that characters will be engaging in. No actor is ever forced or pressured into doing something that makes them feel unsafe.

AUTHENTICITY

IPA members help to make sure scenes of intimacy and stories involving LGBTQIA+ (which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and other identities) characters or characters who are involved in an intimacy-related field (such as sex work or erotic dancing) are being told authentically. Working with an IPA member can help to not only make scenes look more real, but also make sure the production is accurately portraying the groups or communities being shown on screen.