Intimate scenes are not improvisation, but carefully planned work. In film, theater, and ballet, the safety of actors, adherence to boundaries, and accurate realization of the director's vision are increasingly managed by a separate specialist — the intimacy coordinator, reports LSM+.
In Latvia, there are currently only two such professionals. Certified intimacy coordinator Mara Sleja spoke about her work on the Latvian Radio program Starpbrīdis.
An intimacy coordinator is a profession that has emerged in film and other creative fields relatively recently. This specialist is needed to ensure that scenes involving nudity, sex, or kissing are filmed calmly, safely, and without unnecessary tension. In the Latvian Radio program Starpbrīdis, certified intimacy coordinator Mara Sleja discusses this.
Currently, there are only two such specialists in Latvia, and seven in the entire Baltic region. This profession has existed worldwide for about ten years and emerged after the Me Too movement, when it became particularly important to discuss boundaries, consent, and safety in the work of actors.
Intimate Scenes Are Work Too
An intimacy coordinator is a person on set who helps find a balance between the director's vision and the comfort of the actors. They also ensure that everything is legally documented correctly — for example, that contracts clearly specify what is being filmed.
"Even if it’s a scene with nudity, a sex scene, or, for example, a scene in a morgue — it’s still a work process. I try to understand the needs of the entire team: both creative and technical," explains Mara.
An intimacy coordinator is a specialized professional who works solely within creative industries. They may be needed not only in film but also in theater, opera, or ballet.
Mara compares this profession to that of a stunt coordinator. Just as actors do not actually fight, intimate scenes should also be choreographed in advance. Even kisses are often filmed in a way that the actors barely touch each other, although it appears very passionate on screen. This is where the intimacy coordinator comes in.
A Mediator on Set
An intimacy coordinator can be invited by anyone — a director, actor, or producer. The reasons vary: some find it difficult to discuss such scenes, some want to feel more at ease, and others need help with the details.
"The director is responsible for everything at once, and they don’t always have the time or desire to discuss intimate scenes in detail. Sometimes the director simply feels awkward working with them. Then I take it upon myself," says Mara.
Intimacy is a very personal topic, and everyone understands it in their own way. The intimacy coordinator helps everyone come to an agreement and find common ground.
Not Just Support, But Practical Help
An intimacy coordinator is involved not only in discussions and emotions but also in quite practical matters.
One of the most important parts of this job is preparation. Most of the coordinator's work is done before filming begins.
Mara emphasizes that to support the actors and the crew, it is not necessary to know personal stories or emotional backgrounds. It is much more important to think through the technical details in advance. Before filming, she speaks with the actors one-on-one and clarifies simple yet important things — whether they have injuries, if they can stay in a certain position for a long time, if they have allergies, or other specifics that may affect the filming process.
The Profession is Still Developing in Latvia
The profession of intimacy coordinator is still developing in Latvia. Until now, Mara Sleja has mainly worked with foreign actors and international projects that come to film in Latvia.
"I have had my certificate for two years. In the first year, I was scared — there were only three certified intimacy coordinators in the Baltics. This year, I am already working actively. Most often, these are foreign projects that come to us and utilize local resources, including intimacy coordinators," says Mara.
According to her, in the Latvian film industry, the question is still often heard: why is an intimacy coordinator needed if everything was managed without one before? But the situation is gradually changing. More and more people in the creative field understand that such a specialist is necessary because they help film a scene effectively and without unnecessary stress, saving the energy and emotions of the actors and crew.
Recently, Mara Sleja was invited for the first time as an intimacy coordinator for the Latvian series Praktiskā kokvilna. This is particularly joyful for her because she did not expect to work so soon on a project created in Latvia.
