Brooke M. Haney is a pioneering intimacy professional recognized by SAG-AFTRA for choreographing sexually charged scenes in television and film. In an interview with Us Weekly, Haney discussed the importance of overseeing intimate scenes and creating a safe environment for cast and crew. Following the #MeToo movement, the role of intimacy coordinators has become more prevalent, with actors feeling more comfortable and prepared with their presence. Haney’s job begins with understanding the scene’s vision and the actors’ boundaries to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Key elements in helping actors feel comfortable include informing them of what to expect and recognizing power dynamics. Haney also emphasized the complexity of filming threesomes or scenes with multiple participants, as boundaries can differ between individuals. While there are limits to what can be portrayed on screen, showmances between actors do occur frequently. It is crucial for an intimacy coordinator to ensure that all parties involved are comfortable and that the scenes are approached professionally.
While filming intimate scenes, it is essential for the audience to perceive them as real, while the actors must feel that they are portraying a fictional moment. Haney’s goal is to ensure that everything on set pertains to work and that personal relationships between actors do not interfere with the characters they are portraying. Additionally, Haney has created The Actor’s Warm Down, a practice to help actors decompress after working on challenging projects. The Intimacy Coordinator’s Guidebook: Specialties for Stage and Screen is now available.
Haney’s job starts with meeting with the director, producer, and actors to understand the scene’s vision and set boundaries. If actors have boundaries that need to be respected, Haney works with the director to find alternative ways to convey the scene’s message effectively. Haney also highlighted the different ways actors have power dynamics on set, with rising stars potentially feeling pressured to impress more established actors. The role of an intimacy coordinator is to ensure that all parties involved feel comfortable and prepared for filming intimate scenes.
Intimacy coordinators play a crucial role in ensuring that all actors involved feel safe and respected on set. While the scenes may be choreographed and scripted, the emotions and reactions of the actors can feel very real. Haney emphasized the importance of creating a safe space for actors to express their boundaries and preferences, especially when filming sensitive scenes. The goal of an intimacy coordinator is to ensure that both the audience and the actors feel comfortable with the scenes depicted on screen while maintaining a professional work environment.
