Why 28 Years Later had an intimacy co-ordinator……

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In the production of a zombie horror film titled “28 Years Later,” an intimacy coordinator, specifically Vanessa Coffey, was surprisingly involved. This might seem odd considering the film’s genre, but it became necessary due to several factors.

Firstly, director Danny Boyle early in the production process announced that the infected characters would appear largely undressed because their clothes would have decayed after 28 years. This presented a unique challenge when dealing with scenes involving nudity or semi-nudity.

Secondly, the cast included a 13-year-old actor named Alfie Williams, who plays a significant role as Spike in the film. Given the sensitive nature of such scenes and the need to protect young actors, an intimacy coordinator was crucial to ensure all interactions were handled professionally, ethically, and with due respect for the minor actor’s wellbeing.

In summary, the presence of an intimacy coordinator in a zombie horror film like “28 Years Later” may seem unexpected, but it was necessary due to the unique elements of nudity and a minor actor in key roles.

Coffey expressed concern, saying, “At that stage, our focus should be on our young individual who will be observing everything. Exposing them specifically to genital areas could lead us into risky situations. And if this 13-year-old encounters multiple people on set, all of whom are exposing themselves, it seems precarious.

In addition, the disturbing scenes typical of such a movie led Coffey to discuss with Alfie and his supervisor on set about what he might witness. This conversation included the reasoning behind using prosthetics, particularly during the birth scene, to shield the naked infected characters.

She went on saying, ‘What parts should Spike observe, which ones can he miss, and where can we keep him distracted during this scene? However, the prosthetic used was remarkably lifelike for that particular scene. We had discussions about natural childbirth without painkillers to make the experience as authentic and intense as possible. Given a young person might be present, we were meticulous about how we handled the conversations.’

To cater to the needs of the infected who were left unclothed, it became essential to incorporate wardrobe and makeup elements as well. Coffey elaborated, “Our priority was always to be on the right side of decency. So we had nipple covers or even full breasts in some instances. We also included male genitalia, along with hair additions which proved quite useful. We utilized a ‘merkin’, a type of genital wig, to conceal certain areas. Additionally, we dealt with different levels of buttocks – some were artificial, while others were real, but in various conditions such as dirty or partially covered.

She also needed to ensure the safety of the cast, explaining, “This is about ensuring both cast and crew well-being. Since some cast members will be appearing nude during filming, we wanted to make sure our crew was aware. Although these were prosthetics, we requested that they cover up when not in scenes. It was like asking them to wear robes during breaks as it would seem like you’re nude.

Given the intricacy of the Berserkers’ portrayal in the film, it’s worth noting that an impressive array of prosthetic genitalia was created. As Coffey explains, “When you consider the Berserkers, the prosthetics are quite remarkable.” This includes not just prosthetic buttocks but also prosthetic penises. Since everything needs to be securely fastened, this was always necessary. However, there’s also a practical aspect to it, as the infected run extremely fast. It seems more convenient to move swiftly and confidently across the landscape with a prosthetic in place rather than exposing one’s own genitals.

Coffey continued by stating, “For any scenes involving nudity or implied nudity, we used a ‘closed set.’ This was done to make sure everyone knew that our safety procedures were in effect. We also didn’t want anyone questioning our safeguarding measures for ourselves and our young actor.

And that’s why 28 Years Later had an intimacy co-ordinator

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2025-07-05 02:23