Have you heard of an Intimacy Coordinator?
The role has gained popularity in the #MeToo Era to keep actors safe in scenes involving simulated sex, nudity, or hyper-exposure. If you follow entertainment news, you may have read about productions hiring Intimacy Coordinators (ICs) to advocate for the actors and choreograph the scenes to respect actor boundaries.
Intimacy Coordinators (ICs) help to create a safer environment on set for performers during scenes involving nudity, simulated sex, and other types of intimate content, while also helping the director realize their creative vision.
– Intimacy Professionals Association (IPA)
Currently, SAG/AFTRA requires ICs on all union productions for scenes involving simulated sex and nudity. This is a great addition to keep actors safe in vulnerable situations that were ripe for abuse, harassment, and/or coercion.
However, protection gaps exist.
For example, how do we keep actors safe from abuse, harassment, and/or coercion in “non-sexual scenes” or on non-union productions? And what about the rest of the crew?
What is a Consent-Forward Artist?
A Consent-Forward Artist (CFA) is an advocate and educator, who understands how consent, boundaries, power dynamics, and the role of intimacy professionals contribute to the entertainment industry.
– IDC Professionals
Consent-Forward Artists have foundational understandings of trauma-informed practices, bystander intervention, and advocating for the presence of other professionals that support a safer work environment (such as cultural consultants, on-set therapists, fight directors, and stunt coordinators).
How can Consent-Forward Practices help your production?
Any profession that involves human bodies can benefit from a consent-forward approach to communication and creativity.
– Windy Borman
In September 2022, I completed my training to become a Certified Consent-Forward Artist in film, television, theater, dance, art, and entertainment.
If you’re curious how your production can benefit from Consent-Forward Creativity™, I recommend reading these four articles:
- F.R.I.E.S. vs. C.R.I.S.P.: 2 Ways to Define Consent
- Rethinking the Safety Meeting
- Power Dynamics in Creativity
- Trauma-Informed Practices for Creatives
Is a Consent-Forward Artist Right for You?
- Are you committed to creating a safer and more inclusive creative environment?
- Are you interested in making some adjustments to increase safety, reduce liability, and boost creativity across your production?
- Do you share my aim of making the entertainment industry less exploitative?
- Could your production benefit from learning about consent, boundaries, power dynamics, and intimacy professionals?
- Do you believe your script or other written materials could benefit from a “Consent Audit”?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, I invite you to book a free 30-minute discovery session with me. We will discuss how a Consent-Forward Artist could support your creativity or your organization’s efforts to create a safer and more inclusive environment.
Together, we can explore ways to increase safety, reduce harm and liability, and promote consent throughout your projects and organization.
