What Next | Daily News and Analysis Stage Managing Sex in Hollywood
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Jul 10, 2025 Jennifer Wilson, a staff writer at The New Yorker, dives into the transformative role of intimacy coordinators in Hollywood following the #MeToo movement. She discusses how these professionals ensure safety and comfort during sex scenes, highlighting both their advocacy and the challenges they face in the industry. The conversation also delves into the complexities of simulating intimacy on screen, the necessity of consent, and the evolving expectations around portrayals of sexuality in film and television.
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Origin Story of Intimacy Coordination
- Tanya Campanella-Sina, a graduate student, developed modern intimacy coordination in 2006.
- While rehearsing, she and a co-actor accidentally crossed into real intimacy, inspiring her new approach.
James Franco Sparked Change
- James Franco's 2018 sexual misconduct allegations triggered Hollywood's urgent embrace of intimacy coordinators.
- HBO hired intimacy coordinators for The Deuce to improve set safety and reputation.
Declining Sex Scenes Impact Storytelling
- Sex scenes in movies and TV have declined by 40% since 2000, limiting depictions of intimacy.
- Complex storytelling can portray intimacy more meaningfully than short clips in porn.
