For educators and schools go to: Consent and Boundaries in Schools
Rebecca fortuna - Intimacy Coordinator (CERtIFIED)
Accreditation and training:
Intimacy Directors and coordinators(IDC - USA) - Certified
Intimacy On set (ITa O'Brien - UK)
Mental Health FIRST AID
Accreditation and training:
Intimacy Directors and coordinators(IDC - USA) - Certified
Intimacy On set (ITa O'Brien - UK)
Mental Health FIRST AID
What is intimacy coordination?
An intimacy coordinator is a liaison between actors and production for scenes involving nudity/hyper-exposed work, simulated sex acts, kissing and intimate physical contact. We facilitate communication and consent conversations; empowering actors, so they can be fully engaged in intimate scenes and feel confident to do their best work and achieve the director's vision.
An intimacy coordinator is a liaison between actors and production for scenes involving nudity/hyper-exposed work, simulated sex acts, kissing and intimate physical contact. We facilitate communication and consent conversations; empowering actors, so they can be fully engaged in intimate scenes and feel confident to do their best work and achieve the director's vision.
An Intimacy Coordinator also helps production meet their obligations under the Positive Duties Law, that requires them to take proactive steps to ensure workers are safe from discrimination, sexual harassment and victimisation as far as possible.
"It’s all about making actors feel confident, so they can serve the director’s artistic vision and make intimate scenes
passionate, sensual, funny, scary, awkward or uncomfortable; whatever is required."
passionate, sensual, funny, scary, awkward or uncomfortable; whatever is required."
An intimacy coordinator can assist the Director, when requested, to choreograph intimate content to serve the story, working with the Director to fulfil their artistic vision and find new and interesting ways to advance the story through movement; that tells the audience more about the character and their relationships. We treat intimate choreography like fight choreography. You would never give 2 actors a sword each and say ‘there you go, you work it out.’ It should be the same for intimate content.
Should you hire an intimacy coordinator?
If your production includes scenes of simulated sex or nudity then the recommendation is to have an intimacy professional on your team. Intimacy professionals can assist with all moments of physical contact and help actors feel confident with the physical storytelling. This can include stories of: relationships, doctor/patient, child/parent etc.
If your production includes scenes of simulated sex or nudity then the recommendation is to have an intimacy professional on your team. Intimacy professionals can assist with all moments of physical contact and help actors feel confident with the physical storytelling. This can include stories of: relationships, doctor/patient, child/parent etc.
Intimacy professionals communicate between multiple departments to ensure that all required information is relayed between everyone involved before we are on set. Having an intimacy professional on your team will assist the director to fulfil their vision and make the filming process more efficient and run smoothly on the day, as well as help the actors to do their best work.
Rebecca's Bio & Experience:
Rebecca Fortuna (she/her) is a certified (SAG-Accredited) Australian Intimacy Coordinator. She first trained with Ita O’Brien in 2018 and later completed her IDC certification in New York under Claire Warden (Broadway) and Alicia Rodis (HBO). Rebecca has coordinated intimacy for film, TV, web series, vertical content, and theatre, with credits including: Rex, Hope, Tempt, A Good Boy, Flunk, Dark Arcadia, The Goat and Torch Song. She has just completed work on a major Hollywood Feature filming in Melbourne. She also regularly delivers intimacy and consent workshops for organisations such as VCASS, RMIT, Howard Fine Acting Studio and Drama Victoria.
With over 20 years’ experience as a professional actor, as well as work as a theatre director and acting coach at her school Red Theatricals, Rebecca brings a deep understanding of performance and rehearsal processes, both in theatre and on set, to her intimacy practice. She is committed to safe, collaborative storytelling and telling authentic intimate stories.
Rebecca is based in Melbourne and available for travel. You can follow her work: @rebecca.fortuna
Rebecca is an advocate for best practice in all intimacy work and believes Theatre, Film & TV productions will benefit greatly from implementing the guidelines and hiring an intimacy coordinator.
Learn more:
Equity Intimacy Guidelines for Stage and Screen (AUS)
Intimacy on Set Guidelines (UK)
SAG-Aftra Guidelines (USA)
Intimacy Guidelines (NZ)
Equity Intimacy Guidelines for Stage and Screen (AUS)
Intimacy on Set Guidelines (UK)
SAG-Aftra Guidelines (USA)
Intimacy Guidelines (NZ)
Seek Support:
Arts Wellbeing Collective
Arts Wellbeing Collective
Please feel free to contact me to discuss or learn more about intimacy and hiring an intimacy coordinator or consultant: intimacy@rebeccafortuna.com
