Intimacy Coordination
For Screen and Stage
Collaboration
Co-creating Sensitive Sets
Robert centres collaboration in his intimacy coordination work, making sure the director and whole production team are supported to bring the stories to life with the kind of creativity that can only flourish when safety and comfort is accounted for.
EXPERIENCE
INTEGRATING YEARS OF PRACTICE INTO HIS ROLE AS AN IC
Robert trained with the National Film and Television School (NFTS) on the inaugural Intimacy Coordination for Film & TV course led by Haley Muraleedharan. He certified as an Intimacy Coordinator having worked in the field of theatre, as a performer, teacher, and mover for almost thirty years. The IC role draws on Robert’s ability to actively and deeply listen to the people he works with and understand their needs so that they can work sensitively, safely and creatively. Robert’s approach draws heavily on his movement background and improvisation specialism. He works with the idea that you start with the person and where they’re at so that material is not ‘put on’ but rather ‘comes from’ them. Robert’s IC work takes in his concern with equality, diversity and inclusion as well as his love of stories that centre working class and queer perspectives and draws in his experience of working with young/early career actors (18-25). Robert joins other Intimacy Coordinators who have been fierce advocates for consent-based practice in the entertainment industry and acknowledges the great work that some of the pioneers of this practice have done tirelessly over the past several years to embed the work and pave the way for those who are joining this expanding field.
EXPLAINER
WHAT IS INTIMACY COORDINATION AND WHY IS IT NECESSARY?
Intimacy Coordination is a professional practice that ensures scenes involving intimacy—such as simulated sex, nudity, touch, or emotionally vulnerable content—are approached with clear communication, mutual consent, and creative integrity. An Intimacy Coordinator works closely with actors, directors, and production teams to choreograph intimate moments in a way that protects performers’ physical and emotional boundaries, while still serving the story. An Intimacy Coordinator works closely with actors, directors, and production teams to choreograph intimate moments in a way that protects performers’ physical and emotional boundaries, while still serving the story. The role combines elements of movement direction, safeguarding, and facilitation, helping to create a safe and respectful working environment on set or in rehearsal. Ultimately, Intimacy Coordination empowers performers, supports directors, and promotes ethical, professional standards across the creative industries.
Credits
Robert loves to work with stories that centre working class and LGBTQIA+ narratives.
Professional bodies
BECTU – The Broadcasting, Entertainment, communications and Theatre Union
Robert is an active member of BECTU’s Intimacy Coordination branch and currently sits on the Intimacy Direction working group.
