Movies

SAG-AFTRA looks to unionize intimacy coordinators

BBG News

As a seasoned film enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of the industry over several decades, I am thrilled to see the progressive steps being taken by SAG-AFTRA to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of actors, particularly those involved in sensitive scenes. The move to unionize intimacy coordinators is a significant stride towards creating a safer and more consensual environment on set.

The actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, is attempting to take on the role of representing intimacy coordinators who work for production companies within the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

On Wednesday, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists announced they’ve submitted a petition to the National Labor Relations Board, aiming to represent the behind-the-scenes workers in Hollywood who assist actors in ensuring safe handling during intimate or nude scenes on set.

The new development takes place four years since SAG-AFTRA established guidelines for intimacy coordinators on film sets as a response to the #MeToo movement. These guidelines, which outline the responsibilities of intimacy coordinators throughout production and establish training requirements, are intended to minimize instances of sexual harassment within the entertainment business.

Acting out scenes with nudity or intimate content can be one of the most exposed roles an actor may encounter. Intimacy coordinators not only offer guidance in handling these sensitive situations, but they also establish a protective environment for actors, ensuring consent and safety during the entire production. As SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher stated, it’s difficult to change the power dynamics that have persisted for over a century, but it is crucial work that can be accomplished more efficiently with union support.

The role of intimacy coordination is growing, and one aim is to establish longevity in this area, ensuring more professionals enter the field, noted a representative from SAG-AFTRA. However, the union’s request for voluntary recognition from the AMPTP has not been granted so far, but that situation may evolve in the future, according to the spokesperson.

The intimacy coordinator’s committee stated, in their official announcement, that joining the union would “maintain the longevity and viability of our field.

Currently, intimacy coordinators perform their duties without any safeguards or established compensation packages or benefits, according to the organizing committee. They carry out their tasks out of passion, but a robust professional trajectory requires more than just love to maintain it over time.

The AMPTP did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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2024-09-26 03:31

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