In modern society, many viewers feel uncomfortable watching intimate scenes on screen, often preferring to change the channel or find out in advance if such moments exist in films. However, few people consider what the actors' atmosphere is like during the filming of these scenes and how closely it matches what we see on screen. The answer is that what seems natural or romantic actually requires significant prior preparation.
Before filming begins, numerous details are carefully worked out: camera placement, where an actor's hand will be placed, the degree of physical contact, as well as what will be shown and what will be hidden. Furthermore, it is determined what each actor is willing to do and what they do not accept. This is where the profession of an intimacy coordinator emerges.
Although this specialty is relatively new in India, its necessity is gradually being recognized in the film and OTT industries. The primary task of an intimacy coordinator goes beyond simply quality control of the scene; their main function is ensuring the consent, adherence to boundaries, and safety of the actors.
The first certified intimacy coordinator in India, Aasta Hanna, completed a 16-week training course at the Institute of Intimacy Professionals. While working as a director's assistant, she noticed the absence of a specialized professional for intimate scenes, unlike stunt coordinators for action sequences or choreographers for songs.
According to Aasta, her job involves helping the director realize their vision on screen, while strictly prohibiting any compromise on the actors' boundaries and consent. She emphasizes: 'My role is primarily to talk to the actors about consent and their boundaries. I need to understand the scene, and then choreograph it according to the director's concept. I also monitor that no sudden changes are introduced after filming or in post-production.'
Thus, even if a scene looks spontaneous and natural on screen, behind the scenes it can be highly technically developed.
The discussion about intimacy coordination in India began with the web series 'Maastarm'. In this series, which aired on MX Player in 2020, a story inspired by the life of an erotic writer was presented, and it contained many intimate scenes. To ensure a safe and organized filming process for such scenes, the series creators brought in American intimacy coordinator Amanda Cating.
After this, the discussion about filming intimate scenes intensified with films like 'Gharaiyaan', where intimacy was shown quite realistically in a film featuring Deepika Padukone and Sindhan Chaturvedi. Following this, this work began to gain the status of a separate profession in India.
In the past, sexuality or intimacy in Indian cinema was shown indirectly, using flowers, trees, curtains, and camera hints. If two characters approached each other, the camera might switch to another location, and the viewer would guess what happened next.
However, times have changed. With the advent of OTT platforms in shows like 'Med in Heaven', 'For More Shots Please!', and 'Secret Games', intimate relationships and sex have started to be displayed much more openly. This raised an important question: what is a safe way to film such realistic material?
It was then that the need for an intimacy coordinator became even more palpable. Aasta Hanna asserts that an intimate scene is not left to random feelings; it is prepared and choreographed just like any other scene. She notes: 'Chemistry is what the actors bring when they trust each other.'
Therefore, masterclasses are conducted with actors before filming. They are explained how the scene will be shot, what the limits are, and what should not be done. The comfort of the actors is taken into account, and protective measures are arranged if necessary. Sometimes the scene is broken down into small parts for shooting. Camera angles, close-ups, and body posture can be predetermined. If any actor is unwilling to do something specific, alternative solutions are sought, such as a close-up, a different angle of view, or, if necessary, the use of a double.
Some situations that were difficult to ignore helped realize the need for an intimacy coordinator. Sakshi Bhatia, who worked as a director's assistant for some time in a Bollywood crime thriller, encountered a problem. The film planned an intimate scene between a suspect and a victim, with the victim played by a 14-year-old girl and the suspect by a 45-year-old man. Sakshi felt uncomfortable, worrying whether this minor actress had been properly informed about how the scene would be filmed.