JACQUELINE TORRES INTIMACY COORDINATOR FOR TELEVISION AND FILM
My Mission
As an Intimacy Coordinator my mission is to protect the emotional and physical well-being of performers on set. I work directly with performers and production to establish informed consent, minimize risk and achieve a director’s greater vision. Whether it’s a first time kiss between minors, scenes of sexual intimacy or violence, LGBTQIA+ intimacy, I’m on set to make sure the day goes smoothly from beginning to end.
WHAT IS AN INTIMACY COORDINATOR?
AN INTIMACY COORDINATOR IS A DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL THAT ENSURES INTIMATE SCENES ARE SHOT SAFELY AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH SAG/AFTRA STANDARDS AND PROTOCOLS.
Ways your intimacy coordinator achieves these goals include:
Pre-production—meets with executive producer, writer and director before shooting even begins to breakdown the script and identify scenes of intimacy.
Facilitates clear communication with and between performers as it relates to boundaries, nudity, simulated sex.
Provides informed and engaged consent.
Advocates for the emotional and physical safety of performers throughout the shoot.
Ensures safety protocols, union closed set, nudity riders and guidelines are followed.
Serves as an ally and advocate for LGBTQIA+ cast and performers.
Assist the director with choreography if requested to ensure consent and safety while enhancing believability and the director’s vision.
Checks in with performers throughout the shoot to ensure they are feeling safe, comfortable and able to perform.
Provides an additional layer of safety and communication for cast and crew.
Protects minors, consistent with union guidelines.
Post-production—can verify final cut adheres to contractual obligations and riders.
In addition your intimacy coordinator can help mitigate potential lawsuits by ensuring union guidelines and protocols are followed from day one.
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WHY HIRE AN INTIMACY COORDINATOR?
As an intimacy coordinator my primary goal is to advocate for and protect performers on set regardless of race, gender and ability. I believe inclusivity and representation make for rich and vibrant storytelling. When scenes deal with intimacy, simulated sex or violence, nudity, kink, LGBTQIA+ and even a young performer’s first kiss, I’m on set to facilitate challenging conversations and minimize confusion and risk. As an actor with more than 20 years experience working in television and film, I know first hand the challenges scenes of intimacy can pose for performers and production alike. I possess a clear understanding of set culture and dynamics and am committed to creating a safe environment for all stakeholders. Before actors even step foot on set, I will meet with your director, executive producers, and show-runner to identify scenes of intimacy, gather information on the director’s vision to clearly communicate with performers. My next step is to meet with performers, share and gather more information and establish engaged consent and clear boundaries between performers. My ultimate goal as your intimacy coordinator is to ensure a successful shoot where actors feel safe to perform fully and freely and where the director’s creative storytelling vision is accomplished.
The way we do intimacy on television and film has changed dramatically in recent years. With the recent safety standards adopted by SAG-AFTRA it is clear that these changes are here to stay. In addition to advocating for performers safety, I am also on set to help your production navigate these safety protocols. I make sure union standards and protocols are clearly defined and met throughout your shoot. My presence on set is an additional layer of protection for performers and production. When communication happens early on, boundaries and expectations are clearly defined, we set the stage for a successful shoot from day one.