SAG-AFTRA has taken a significant step forward in ensuring actor safety and professionalism on sets by announcing the accreditation of seven international intimacy coordinator training programs. This landmark decision, revealed today, marks the culmination of a multi-year collaboration between the union and the intimacy coordinator community. The goal is to implement the first industry-wide standards for training in this vital profession. This accreditation system is designed to help aspiring intimacy coordinators identify top-tier training programs, reinforcing a commitment to equity and inclusion for all candidates seeking to enter this field.
“Intimacy coordinators are elevating the level of protection for our members and fostering greater awareness regarding appropriate conduct and sensitivity to performers’ comfort levels,” stated SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “In an industry that historically overlooked issues like ‘the casting couch,’ this initiative undeniably signifies crucial progress!” This move emphasizes SAG-AFTRA’s dedication to creating safer and more respectful working environments for its members.
Alicia Rodis, Lead Intimacy Coordinator at HBO, also highlighted the positive impact of this accreditation. “We consistently hear from actors about how the presence of trained intimacy coordinators enhances their sense of safety on set,” Rodis commented. “The accreditation of these training programs is instrumental in guiding members to identify comprehensive, high-quality programs that prioritize inclusion and accessibility. This will contribute to the secure growth of the role and facilitate a diverse pool of highly skilled intimacy coordinators.”
The training programs that have currently achieved accreditation, meeting the rigorous requirements established by SAG-AFTRA in consultation with industry experts, are:
- [List of accredited programs would go here if available in the original article]
It’s important to note that while SAG-AFTRA provides accreditation to these programs, it does not endorse any specific individual or company. Accreditation serves solely as confirmation that the program meets and maintains the minimum training standards set forth. Accredited organizations will undergo a review every two years to ensure ongoing adherence to these standards. This rigorous process underscores SAG-AFTRA’s commitment to upholding the quality and relevance of intimacy coordinator training.
SAG-AFTRA initially announced its intimacy coordinator accreditation and registry programs back in April 2021. This was part of a broader, ongoing effort to normalize and encourage the utilization of intimacy coordinators across the industry. These initiatives build upon SAG-AFTRA’s pioneering 2020 introduction of Standards and Protocols for the Use of Intimacy Coordinators. These protocols meticulously detail the responsibilities of intimacy coordinators throughout every phase of production, demonstrating how their role streamlines operations, offers vital safeguards for performers, and provides specialized support for both cast and crew.
Looking ahead, SAG-AFTRA plans to launch a registry of qualified and experienced intimacy coordinators later this spring. This registry will assist productions in identifying professionals who have satisfied the established minimum benchmarks for training and on-set experience. A pre-registry list will also be available for intimacy coordinators who are newly entering the profession.
To further clarify the role, an Intimacy Coordinator acts as an advocate for performers, a crucial link between actors and production teams, and a movement specialist or choreographer specifically for scenes involving nudity, simulated sex, or other intimate content.
Ultimately, the presence of experienced and qualified intimacy coordinators on set is instrumental in ensuring that SAG-AFTRA members filming sensitive scenes can work in an environment that respects their personal and professional dignity, while simultaneously enabling directors to realize their creative vision. Learn Sag’s commitment to these standards signifies a major advancement in creating safer, more respectful, and professional sets for everyone involved in film and television production.
