An intimacy coordinator plans and safeguards scenes involving nudity, simulated sex or other intimate content, so the scene gets made the way the director wants while every performer's consent and safety are protected. On SAG-AFTRA film and TV jobs, producers now commit to using best efforts to engage one for nudity and simulated sex scenes. Here's what they do, what you can ask for, and what our experts said about intimate scenes.
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An intimacy coordinator plans and safeguards scenes involving nudity, simulated sex or other intimate content. When SAG-AFTRA published its standards in January 2020, it described them as professionals who help performers and productions navigate highly sensitive scenes, advocating for performers' safety while making sure the production's creative needs are met.
They're not there to stop the scene. Their job, in SAG-AFTRA's standards and protocols, is to carry out the director's vision while making sure the safety terms in your contract are followed.
Most of the work happens in pre-production. Under SAG-AFTRA's standards, the intimacy coordinator:
That one-on-one meeting is your moment. Ask how the scene will be shot, what will be seen, and who will be in the room.
On the day, the standards say they review the rider, the scene, modesty garments and barriers with the performers, director and ADs, make sure closed-set protocols are followed, and advise on movement and choreography. They keep checking consent throughout: both what is shown of you and how the action is performed. They also protect minors in line with SAG-AFTRA guidelines.
Afterwards, they stay available if you have questions, and may check that the final cut matches what your contract and rider allow.
On union film and TV, the rule tightened in 2026. SAG-AFTRA members ratified the 2026 TV/Theatrical contracts on 4 June 2026, with 91.42% voting yes. The union's summary of the deal says producers will use best efforts to engage an intimacy coordinator for scenes involving nudity and simulated sex, and that background actors may request access to one without fear of retaliation. It also says producers may not ask a stand-in to work nude or simulate sex acts.
"Best efforts" is a strong obligation, not an absolute guarantee. On non-union projects, no union rule applies, so ask before you sign whether an intimacy coordinator will be engaged, and get the answer in writing. Our union vs non-union page covers the wider trade-offs.
It's your written consent. SAG-AFTRA's quick guide to nudity and simulated sex says performing nudity or simulated sex is conditioned on your prior written consent, usually in a rider that describes the intimate content, which body parts are shown and the simulated acts in each scene. As of November 2026, it says:
A set closed to everyone not essential to filming or rehearsing the scene. The quick guide lists who shouldn't be there, including uninvolved performers, unnecessary crew, financiers, studio executives and visitors. Monitors should be seen only by essential people, ideally somewhere private, and recording on personal devices is prohibited.
You should also be given a robe or cover-up whenever you're not actively rehearsing or shooting. If any of this isn't happening, tell the intimacy coordinator or the first AD.
SAG-AFTRA's quick guide says no one may be fully nude or perform simulated sex at an audition. A producer can ask for a modesty garment audition only once, as your final audition, and you may bring a support person, such as a friend, your rep or an intimacy coordinator.
For kissing in an audition scene, Kym's advice is simple: never kiss the reader. Ask the room how other actors have been playing the moment, or hold the energy of the kiss for a beat and move on to the next line. Casting director Lisa Beach told us about once being kissed full-on by an actress in the room, and said she never auditioned her again.
Say so, early. Actor and teacher Anthony Brandon Wong told us intimacy is part of so many stories that actors need to get comfortable with it, but always case by case: talk it through with your scene partner and the director so you feel respected and safe, and if you feel unsafe, raise it.
Casting director Meg Morman said productions can't fix what they don't know about. If you can't raise it on set, call your agent or manager and ask them to reach someone. On a union set, Ben Whitehair pointed to SAG-AFTRA's 24-hour on-set emergency hotline, on its website and app, for safety or harassment issues.
The standards expect training in consent, anti-harassment, movement and masking, modesty garments and barriers, mediation, and mental health first aid or related fields, plus state and federal background checks.
Since 2026 they have their own contract. SAG-AFTRA's Intimacy Coordinator Agreement, its first collective bargaining agreement for intimacy coordinators, took effect on 22 February 2026 for AMPTP productions. As of November 2026 its scale minimums are $1,175 per 8-hour day and $4,113 per 40-hour week.
General information only, checked November 2026. Rules differ by contract; check with SAG-AFTRA or your rep for your situation.
An intimacy coordinator plans and safeguards scenes with nudity, simulated sex or other intimate content. They meet the director and each performer before the shoot, confirm consent, arrange modesty garments and closed sets, and keep checking consent on the day.
Under SAG-AFTRA's 2026 TV/Theatrical contracts, producers will use best efforts to engage an intimacy coordinator for scenes involving nudity and simulated sex. On non-union projects there is no union rule, so ask before you sign.
Yes. The 2026 SAG-AFTRA deal says background actors may request access to the intimacy coordinator without fear of retaliation.
It is the written consent attached to your contract that describes the nudity or simulated sex in each scene. SAG-AFTRA says you should receive it at least 48 hours before call time.
SAG-AFTRA's quick guide says you can withdraw consent at any time before the footage is captured. The producer may then use a double within the terms of your original rider.
Under SAG-AFTRA's Intimacy Coordinator Agreement, scale is $1,175 per 8-hour day and $4,113 per 40-hour week, as of November 2026.
If you have an intimate scene coming up, knowing how a set runs makes it easier to speak up. Download Your Free On Set Guide before your first day.
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