Intimacy Coordinator

FOR FILM, TELEVISION & THEATRE

Elaine McKergow is a certified Intimacy Coordinator for Film and Television. Elaine trained with the Intimacy Professionals Association (SAG AFTRA accredited) and is based in Glasgow and the UK.

Elaine works in an intuitive and collaborative way with directors and actors to ensure that any scenes dealing with implied sex, nudity, kink, 2SLGBTQIA+ topics, and all other emotionally intimate scenes are best supported to provide a safe, relaxed, informed and consensual environment to ensure creative visions and authentic, nuanced performances can flourish.

WHAT IS AN INTIMACY COORDINATOR?

  • Facilitates communication between actors and directors to establish boundaries and comfort levels within the context of scripted intimate scenes.

  • Supports the creation of a safe environment for actors both physically and emotionally, remaining within established boundaries, allowing for creative security and freedom.

  • Ensures all closed set protocols and BECTU intimacy guidelines are adhered to.

  • On request, can provide choreography and movement coaching for simulated sex scenes to enhance realism and authenticity.

  • On set advocate for racial diversity and allyship for LGBTQIA+ cast and crew members.

  • Works collaboratively with other departments such as costumes and makeup to ensure actors have access to the appropriate intimacy and barrier garments required for the filming of intimate scenes.

“‍People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realise you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them bare and their response is ‘you’re safe with me’ - that’s intimacy”‍ ‍‍ ‍

Taylor Jenkins Reid

ON SET SKILLS

  • Consent, Boundaries and Power Dynamics

  • Intimacy Coordination Protocols

  • Communication and Conflict Negotiation Skills

  • Union Guidelines for Intimate Scenes (BECTU & SAG AFTRA)

  • Closed Set Protocols

  • Nudity Riders

  • Choreography and Movement Coaching

  • Race, Power and Intimacy

  • Mental Health and Trauma Awareness

  • Sexuality and Gender Literacy

  • Kink and BDSM informed

  • How to be an Ally to LGBTQIA+ Cast and Crew

  • Sexual Harassment

  • Bystander Intervention

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN INTIMACY COORDINATOR ON SET?

  • Depending on the production actors are provided support with accents and dialects, horse riding, armoury usage, fight scenes and many more, so it makes absolute sense to support them when it comes to implied intimate and nude scenes where they are potentially at their most vulnerable.

  • An Intimacy Coordinator is there to work between the director and the actors, to understand first of all the creative vision of the director and then to establish the comfort levels and boundaries of the actors to ensure the outcome for both parties is aligned.

  • The Intimacy Coordinator exists outside of any on-set power dynamic structure, and is there to facilitate a clear, direct and successful dialogue between both the director and actors so that when it comes time to shoot intimate scenes it can be done in an informed, safe, respectful and efficient way - both in front of and behind the camera.

  • Shooting intimate scenes can be awkward for everyone, cast and crew alike. Having an Intimacy Coordinator available for prep, rehearsal and shoot days safe guards everyone involved.

  • They advocate for the actors to ensure they feel informed, protected and safe in their job and work environment which ultimately creates a space for them to be able to concentrate and focus on their performance.

BACKGROUND

Elaine trained as an actor and has worked on a variety of projects for over 15 years in film, television and theatre. During her training she found herself naturally gravitating to a supportive role towards her cast members and was aware even then of the obstacles that actors faced in a rehearsal space when it came to scenes of an intimate nature.

Elaine also works as an Alignment Practitioner a practice evolved from the voice and body work of Nadine George that she studied during her acting training. This work is focused on what people hold in their bodies that no longer serve them and enables people to release both physically and emotionally to create room to allow space for new experiences and enhanced creativity. She works with (mostly) actors through a combination of attunement, breath work, massage and vibrational vocal tone. Her practice began very early in her training and she has evolved it over the past 16 years. It has provided her with many insights and tools to ground and anchor actors in their truth - physically, vocally and emotionally, allowing them to tap into a creative freedom to bring their most authentic and honest selves to performances.

Becoming an Intimacy Coordinator has been a natural progression as she acknowledged and embraced her varied set of skills with passion, kindness and awareness of the industry as a whole, leading her to this point in her creative career.

“There are all types of bodies. If you’re lucky you’ll find someone whose skin is a canvas for the story of your life. Write well. Take care of the heartbeat behind it”.

William Letford

Credits - Intimacy Coordinator

TV Drama

BBC Scotland/BBC Alba/Screen Scotland Production

Loch Nam Madadh (Wolf Bay)

Director - Alistair McLean