CLASS DESCRIPTION

If you’re an intimacy coordinator then the following scenario is all too familiar: 

You’re talking with an actor and it’s clear that they don’t know how they feel about performing certain aspects of a scene. You can sense their hesitancy and concern about the scene, but they’re not just coming out and saying no and that they don’t want to do it. Heck, they might even be flip flopping sides between yes and no and sending you mixed messages. 

So what do you do?

One solution of course is to call a “maybe” a “no” and end the discussion there. But then this brings up questions around encroaching on that performer’s personal agency and their right to make their own decisions for themselves. 

Situations like this are all too common and bring into question the following: how do we as intimacy professionals balance safety, consent, and personal agency all at the same time when working with performers? 

In order to do this we must have a deeply nuanced understanding of consent and the tools to apply this to our work. This workshop ventures to provide exactly that. 

In this workshop we will cover topics such as: 

• How to work with a “maybe” or an “I don’t know” from an actor and get to clarity

• Ways we can create more consent and freedom in a space 

• Why actors do and don’t ask for what they want, and what do they do instead of asking

• Polyvagal theory and different nervous system states

• The Wheel of Consent and its four quadrants 

• The shadow side of the Wheel (martyrdom, victimhood, becoming a pushover, tolerating, exploiting, etc.)

• Consent as a spectrum  

• The difference between being willing to do something vs. wanting to do something and the difference between giving vs. receiving 

• How can we help actors reach discernment within themselves about what’s right for them

This class will be taught by the very talented relational bodyworker Julian Marcus and facilitated by IPA founder Amanda Blumenthal. The workshop will explore the above topics via lecture, breakout room activities, and group discussions. Whether you are a seasoned IC or someone just getting started on their journey, this class is a must-take for all who want to learn how to truly embody consent in their practice.  

DATE: Saturday, July 20th 

START TIME: 10am PT/1pm ET/7pm CEST

CLASS DURATION: Approximately 4 hours 

LOCATION: Zoom (you will receive an email with the Zoom link upon purchasing a ticket) 

RECORDING: A recording of this workshop will be available for one week after the class for anyone who purchases a ticket

TICKET PRICING: We are offering tickets on a sliding scale at three price points: $99, $139, and $169. There are a limited number of $99 and $139 tickets, so don’t wait too long to grab yours! $50 tickets are available for BIPOC participants with financial need. If you'd like one of the $50 tickets, please email training@IPAinternational.org to request one.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

This workshop will be led by Julian Marcus (he/him). Alongside being a somatic sex educator, embodiment coach, and bodywork teacher for over 20 years, Julian worked parallel to this as a freelance producer/director for contracts that include channel manager and live television production photo and video projects with models, agents, and global clients. This work often included a need to negotiate consent, agreements, and intimacy scenes on set. Julian has worked as a photographer since 2001 in fashion, advertising, personal branding, and with publication and editorial work involving model agency castings. Julian combines the skills he has learned as a somatic educator with his digital media work to create a unique way of dialogue and making agreements that ensures a felt-sense of safety and clear embodied consent on the part of the talent.

Some of the modalities that Julian has trained in that inform his work include the Wheel of Consent, Body Poem, Sexological Bodywork, and Non-Violent Communication. Additionally, Julian holds a BSc. (Honors) in Therapeutic Bodywork, which included over 3,000 hours of supervised practice.  

You can learn more about Julian at his website www.feelandfollow.com.