Sex scenes are part of the film business, but for actors, they’re sometimes the most uncomfortable part of the job. In recent years they are so-called intimacy coordinators or intimacy coordinators have therefore become increasingly popular. They take care of the well-being of those involved in sex scenes while filming. Game of Thrones star Sean Bean was critical of this in a recent interview – and promptly received important counter-arguments from colleagues.
Here’s what Sean Bean has to say about the new trend in sex scenes
In an interview with the British Times, the actor who played Ned Stark and Mr Wilford from the sci-fi series Snowpiercer shared his take on this neutral on-set supervisor:
[…] It would limit me more, because it draws attention directly to it. When someone says, ‘Do this, put your hands there while you touch his thing…’
What exactly does he mean by this:
It would ruin the spontaneity. […] I believe the natural behavior of lovers would be ruined by someone making it a technical exercise.
Snowpiercer – S03 Trailer 2 (English) HD
Upon the interviewer’s suggestion that intimacy coordination became more important because of the me-too movement, um to protect actresses in particular from harassment and assaultBean replied, referring to a sex scene with Lena Hall in Snowpiercer season 2:
I think, it depends on the actress. [Hall] has a cabaret background, she was up for anything. Here’s how fellow actresses react to the Game of Thrones star’s statements
Reactions followed on Twitter, one of which was important Counterpoint to Bean’s perspective and help in understanding the importance of Intimacy Coordinators in sex and love scenes. As West Side Story lead actress Rachel Zegler wrote:
Intimacy Coordinators create one environment of security for actors. I was extremely grateful for those we had at West Side Story – they treated a newcomer like me with compassion and educated those who had years of experience.
And:
Spontaneity in intimate scenes can be unsafe. Wake up.
Colleague Jameela Jamil (She-Hulk: The Lawyer) responded directly to Bean’s criticism that this oversight, sex scenes to a “technical exercise” could do:
It should be strictly technical. It’s like a stunt. Our job as actors is not to make it look technical. Nobody wants a spontaneous grabber…Snowpiercer colleague Lena Hall formulates her view of intimacy coordinators
Also speaking was fellow Snowpiercer Lena Hall, mentioned by Sean Bean himself, who has an intimate scene with Bean in Season 2. In one thread, she first made it clear that she was not “ready for anything” be as Bean put it. She then shared her nuanced perspective on the topic and her experience with colleague Sean Bean:
Sean is a great actor and made me feel comfortable. […] If I’m comfortable with my scene partner and the others in the room, I don’t need an intimacy coordinator. BUT if I feel uncomfortable in any way, disgusted, embarrassed etc… I either question the necessity of the scene or I request an IC.
Lena Hall summarizes:
I believe that Intimacy Coordinators are a welcome addition to the set are. […] Sometimes you need them, sometimes notbut every single person and scene and experience is different.
The reactions to Bean’s statements provide a needed insight into the perspective of actresses who may not consider male colleagues. Hollywood history is rich in stories, particularly of female stars who were confronted with abusive behavior by their peers during kissing or sex scenes, or who were forced by filmmakers to do things they didn’t want to do. The intimacy coordination should prevent exactly that.