Slate News What Next | Stage Managing Sex in Hollywood
Jul 10, 2025
Jennifer Wilson, a staff writer at The New Yorker, dives into the innovative role of intimacy coordinators in Hollywood, born from the #MeToo movement. She discusses how these professionals ensure safety and comfort during intimate scenes, revolutionizing the industry. The conversation reveals challenges they face and the broader cultural implications of prioritizing consent and mental health. Wilson also reflects on the historical impact of events like the Clinton scandal, connecting power dynamics in politics to the evolving landscape of intimacy in film.
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Origin Story of Intimacy Coordination
- Tanya Campanella-Sina created modern intimacy coordination after a confusing love scene in a student play.
- She aimed to choreograph chemistry and set clear boundaries to avoid emotional confusion on set.
Me Too Sparks Industry Change
- The Me Too movement supercharged intimacy coordination's rise in Hollywood starting in 2018.
- It became urgent after James Franco's misconduct allegations during sex scene shoots.
Decline of Sex Scenes Insights
- Sex scenes in movies and TV have dropped 40% since 2000, leaving intimacy mostly to porn.
- Intimacy coordinators help navigate consent and boundaries in a culture shy about professionalizing sex.