Intimacy Coordinator Explains the Techniques Actors Use To Stay Professional
Intimacy coordinators have become essential figures on modern film and television sets, serving as advocates and choreographers for scenes involving physical vulnerability. Their primary goal is to ensure that all performers feel safe, respected, and fully informed about the actions required of them.
By fostering a collaborative environment, these professionals help directors realize their creative vision while maintaining strict adherence to professional boundaries and consent-based practices.
Brooke M. Haney, a prominent intimacy coordinator known for their work on projects like Elsbeth, Mayor of Kingstown, and Harlem, recently spoke about the practical realities of filming intimate content.
Contrary to popular belief, Haney notes that these sets are highly technical and professional environments, which often minimizes the potential for awkwardness. “Here’s the thing – this isn’t actually very common,” Haney told US Weekly.
“With the lights bearing down, microphones, a couple of cameras in your face, director, DP, and other necessary crew watching on monitors, it’s just not that sexy.” Despite the clinical nature of a film set, Haney acknowledges that the human body can sometimes have physiological reactions that are beyond an actor’s conscious control.
When such moments occur, the focus remains on keeping the process professional and moving forward with the work. “However, sometimes bodies have physiological responses that are outside of our control,” Haney explained.
To mitigate these situations, Haney employs practical techniques designed to redirect blood flow and help actors reset. “When that does happen, I tell the actor to do a few push-ups or some jumping jacks,” they said.
“That moves the blood to a different location, and we’re all good.” This approach is just one of many “closure practices” that coordinators use to ensure actors feel comfortable and can effectively separate their personal feelings from the characters they are portraying.
Jeremy Renner, who stars as Mike McLusky in Mayor of Kingstown, remains one of the most recognizable faces associated with the series. Following a life-altering accident in 2023, Renner made a celebrated return to acting and has been heavily involved in the production of the show’s fourth season.
Beyond his work in Kingstown, he recently appeared in the high-profile murder mystery sequel Wake Up Dead Man and continues to be a staple of major studio franchises. Elsbeth, another project benefiting from Haney’s coordination, features Carrie Preston in the title role of the quirky, brilliant attorney.
The show has been praised for its unique procedural format and has consistently drawn strong audiences for its clever writing and ensemble performances. As both Mayor of Kingstown and Elsbeth continue to expand their respective narratives.
The integration of intimacy coordination remains a standard practice, ensuring that even the most delicate scenes are filmed with the highest levels of safety and professional integrity.
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