Intimacy coordinators are becoming increasingly common in TV and film, and their role is often misunderstood. These professionals work with actors like Toni Collette, Florence Pugh, Sam Heughan, and Taylor Zakhar Perez to carefully plan and choreograph intimate scenes, ensuring everyone feels safe and comfortable during filming.
Views on working with intimacy coordinators vary a lot, but they’ve become increasingly common on film and TV sets, particularly since the #MeToo movement. This is because many productions now include scenes with close physical contact or depictions of sexual activity, and coordinators help ensure everyone feels safe and comfortable.
Just like a stunt director helps plan action scenes, an intimacy coordinator works on scenes involving intimacy. Their main job is to make sure actors feel safe, comfortable, and fully agree to everything happening during filming.
HBO was the first television network to start using intimacy coordinators – professionals who help ensure the safety and comfort of actors during nude or sexual scenes. Now, many other major production companies are doing the same. These coordinators have quickly become vital to the film and TV industry, so how do they work, and what goes into filming a sex scene?
Meet intimacy coordinator Mia Schachter, who has worked on Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria
Before talking to the actors, I always check with the director to understand their vision for the shots. This includes discussing potentially sensitive scenes, like nudity. I proactively ask if there are alternative angles – like shooting from the side or back – if an actor isn’t comfortable with a full frontal shot. We explore options that still allow us to tell the story effectively.
Once I’m on set, I talk with the actors about any requirements regarding nudity, as outlined in their contracts. We then privately rehearse the scene, planning out the movements and positions. During this rehearsal, the actors discuss with each other what physical contact they’re comfortable with and how it should happen. Finally, I share those details with the script supervisors, who make sure the editing team is aware of everyone’s boundaries.
When we start filming, I ensure the set is private and that monitors are set to avoid unwanted views. During the shoot, I subtly adjust movements as needed. Sometimes, in the excitement of a scene, an actor might unintentionally touch another in an unexpected way. If that happens, we immediately talk about whether it felt comfortable for everyone involved and address any concerns. If needed, we’ll re-shoot the scene with clearer direction – for example, asking an actor to adjust their position. Once filming is complete, we have a quick wrap-up – a high five or handshake – to acknowledge the finished scene and move on.
When nudity is shown on screen, it’s rarely actual skin-to-skin contact. Often, a fake penis is used for male actors, and a pubic wig (called a merkin) is used to cover female actors. This ensures complete coverage and prevents any actual genital contact during intimate scenes.
Intimacy coordinator Yehuda Duenyas reveals what’s inside his kit bag
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- Nippies / Nippets – to cover an actor’s areola
- Merkins – a pubic wig, often used for period pieces or for actresses who want more coverage of their pubic area
- Hibue / Shibue – a strapless thong that sticks to an actor’s pelvis, which acts as a barrier that prevents genitalia from touching
- Vajoga – a yoga mat for genitalia, used as a genital barrier when two bodies are grinding against each other
- Swim Shapers – used for nipple covers or as a barrier to cover female genitalia
- Mints / Gum – for fresh breath
- Heat Pads – to keep actors warm between takes
- Flesh coloured underwear – to use as a modesty garment
- Aloe Vera gel – to soothe skin irritated by modesty garments
- Bright green tape – so the cameraman knows the actor’s boundaries
- Evian water spray and glycerine – for creating the impression of beads of sweat
- Penis cups – a genitalia barrier for men
- Exacto knife – for any makeshift barrier or modesty garment that needs to be made on set
- Scissors
- Marker
- Alcohol prep pads
What is a nudity rider?
A nudity rider is a part of an actor’s contract that clearly states their boundaries regarding nudity, intimate scenes, simulated sexual acts, or depictions of sexual assault. It specifies what they are and aren’t comfortable performing.
These professionals ensure everyone feels safe and respected on set, especially during scenes with nudity, sex, or intimacy. They help actors clearly communicate their boundaries and confirm consent, preventing misunderstandings and creating a comfortable, professional atmosphere.
These agreements are created through discussions between actors, their representatives, the film crew, and intimacy coordinators, happening before filming begins. They’re also flexible, meaning actors can request changes if they feel uneasy about anything during the process.
A nudity rider commonly includes details on:
- The level of nudity an actor agrees to (e.g. topless or partial, full frontal or none)
- Camera angles and types of shot (e.g. close-ups vs wide, front or rear nudity)
- Physical contact boundaries (e.g. where on the body an actor agrees to be touched)
- Prosthetic or modesty garment requirements (e.g. genital coverings)
- Duration (how long an actor will appear naked on screen)
- Closed set requirements (who of the cast and crew is permitted to be present during filming of nude scenes)
Nudity riders became more commonplace in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
What’s a typical prep day for an intimacy coordinator?
9am: Call the director – establish their vision / what the scene entails / what nudity is required.
10am: Call first actor. Establish their nudity boundaries in-depth.
11am: Call second actor. Repeat.
12pm: Email production with summaries of the actors’ conversations.
1pm: Contact wardrobe to arrange for the correct modesty garments to be ordered.
At 2pm, check with the makeup artist about covering any tattoos the actors have. Also, discuss with them whether the actors require any pubic hair application or adjustments.
3pm: Write up nudity riders.
What’s a typical shoot day for an intimacy coordinator?
6am: Arrive on set.
6:15am: Go over nudity riders with actors.
At 6:45am, the team will rehearse and plan a sex scene with only the actors and essential crew present to ensure privacy.
At 8:00 AM, begin filming the scene. Make sure the monitors are positioned so only essential crew and actors can view them. Then, film the scene again, incorporating further direction.
6pm: End of shoot. High five to wrap up and have closure.
Authors
Minnie Wright leads digital growth and acquisitions at TopMob. She previously worked in TV, film, and music for a large national publication, and holds a degree in Popular Music Journalism.
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2026-03-28 10:36