Key Highlights
- SAG-AFTRA releases updated Standards and Protocols for the Use of Intimacy Coordinators as of February 2024.
- The protocols aim to ensure safety and enforce consent in scenes involving nudity or simulated sex.
- Intimacy coordinators serve as advocates, ensuring that performers’ boundaries are respected and safety protocols are followed.
- New standards enhance production efficiency and provide support mechanisms for both cast and crew.
New Protocols for Intimacy Coordinators in the Film Industry
Following increased scrutiny on set safety and performer consent, Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has released updated Standards and Protocols for the Use of Intimacy Coordinators. These guidelines come into effect in February 2024, marking a significant step in post-#MeToo reforms within the entertainment industry.
Role of Intimacy Coordinators
The new protocols emphasize the critical role that nudity and simulated sexual scenarios can play in storytelling. However, they also recognize the unique vulnerability performers may face during such scenes. Intimacy coordinators are defined as advocates who serve as liaisons between actors and production teams.
Their primary responsibility is to ensure safety protocols are followed and that performers’ boundaries are respected. Additionally, intimacy coordinators can provide movement coaching to help realize directors’ visions while prioritizing the safety and consent of all involved.
Key Qualifications for Intimacy Coordinators
Intimacy coordinators must meet specific qualifications, including training in consent and anti-harassment, movement coaching, and trauma stewardship. They are also required to manage sensitive information confidentially, sharing it only with the permission of the actors involved.
Pre-Production and On-Set Responsibilities
During pre-production, intimacy coordinators discuss intimate scenes with producers and directors, ensuring clear communication with actors regarding expectations and consent. They also facilitate dialogue among departments to ensure appropriate modesty garments and barriers are available as required by the scene.
On-set, intimacy coordinators review nudity riders with cast members and help maintain a closed-set environment in accordance with SAG-AFTRA guidelines. They continue to monitor consent throughout filming, ensuring performers feel safe and secure while fulfilling their roles. In the post-production phase, these professionals remain available to support performers and verify that final products align with contractual obligations.
Significance of Updated Protocols
The updated standards represent a crucial evolution in legal and ethical practices within the film industry. They reinforce that informed consent is now a contractual imperative, reducing litigation risks while fostering mutual trust on set. The presence of certified intimacy coordinators introduces a vital layer of protection for performers, aligning with changing labor expectations.
For members, SAG-AFTRA encourages consultation of their resources or reaching out to union representatives for guidance on implementation and enforcement of these new protocols.
As industry litigations increasingly navigate the balance between artistic expression and personal safety, these updated standards are likely to serve as critical reference points in emerging disputes.
These new guidelines underscore SAG-AFTRA’s commitment to creating safer working environments while preserving the creative integrity of film and television productions. By prioritizing performer safety and consent, industry stakeholders can ensure that stories are told responsibly and ethically.
