Health
INTIMACY COORDINATORS HAVE become quite a topic of discussion this Oscar season. Throughout Diversity‘s yearly Actors on Actors series, Mikey Madison disclosed that she opted not to use an intimacy coordinator when teh possibility was presented to her while portraying a sex worker in Anora, sparking online discussions about the legitimacy of that choice.
One individual who weighed in was renowned professional intimacy coordinator, Jessica Steinrock, whose Tik Tok video response now boasts over 2 million views. She chose not to criticize Madison, rather viewing the moment as an opportunity for dialogue. Steinrock elaborated on how relatively new this profession is and expressed understanding and compassion for those who hold misconceptions about what the role entails.
“Any intimacy professional certainly has three roles,” Steinrock further explained during a Zoom conversation with Men’s Health. “They are both an actor and crew member present, ensuring everyone has their boundaries discussed, respected, and that there are no surprises on set. They act as liaisons, meaning we collaborate with all other departments to ensure everyone has the information they need to succeed on the day. Lastly,we serve as choreographers and movement specialists. Our goal is to support the director’s vision within actors’ boundaries while making sure that the story appears authentic and conveys what we want it to express.”
