IDC Safety Protocols & Risk Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An actor discloses a trauma history related to the scene's content during a pre-production intimacy meeting. What is the intimacy coordinator's FIRST responsibility?
- Share the disclosure with the director so they can adjust the script
- Acknowledge the disclosure, thank the actor for sharing, and collaboratively assess whether modifications are needed (Correct answer)
- Document the disclosure in the production report for legal protection
- Recommend the actor seek therapy before filming the scene
Correct answer: Acknowledge the disclosure, thank the actor for sharing, and collaboratively assess whether modifications are needed
The IC must first honor the actor's trust by acknowledging the disclosure and working collaboratively to assess impact and determine accommodations.
Question 2: What does 'stunt intimacy' refer to in the context of intimacy coordination?
- Choreographed intimacy sequences that prioritize dramatic effect over safety
- Any physical contact on set that simulates intimacy but is planned and rehearsed like a stunt (Correct answer)
- Scenes involving both stunt performers and intimacy acts simultaneously
- The use of stunt doubles for all intimate contact scenes
Correct answer: Any physical contact on set that simulates intimacy but is planned and rehearsed like a stunt
Stunt intimacy treats choreographed intimate contact with the same rigor and planning as physical stunt work, including risk assessment and rehearsal.
Question 3: During filming, a crew member makes an inappropriate joke about the intimate scene being filmed. How should the intimacy coordinator respond?
- Ignore it to avoid escalating tension on set
- Privately speak to the crew member after the scene wraps
- Immediately address the behavior and remind the crew of the professional environment standards (Correct answer)
- Report the incident to HR and take no further action until HR responds
Correct answer: Immediately address the behavior and remind the crew of the professional environment standards
The IC is responsible for maintaining a safe and professional set environment and should address unprofessional behavior immediately to protect the performers.
Question 4: Which principle best describes why intimacy coordinators use 'framing language' when presenting actor boundaries to directors?
- To legally protect the production from boundary violation claims
- To depersonalize the limit so it is understood as a professional boundary, not a personal attack (Correct answer)
- To ensure the director always has final creative say over the scene
- To document which actors are difficult to work with
Correct answer: To depersonalize the limit so it is understood as a professional boundary, not a personal attack
Framing language presents boundaries as professional parameters rather than personal objections, preserving collaborative relationships and reducing power-dynamic pressure.
Question 5: A production asks an intimacy coordinator to be present only for 'major' intimate scenes and not for scenes with kissing. What is the appropriate response?
- Accept the arrangement since kissing scenes are low-risk
- Advocate for oversight of all intimate content, including kissing, as part of a comprehensive safety approach (Correct answer)
- Request a written contract specifying exactly which scenes require IC presence
- Defer to the director's judgment about scene intensity
Correct answer: Advocate for oversight of all intimate content, including kissing, as part of a comprehensive safety approach
All intimate contact, regardless of perceived intensity, warrants professional oversight to ensure consent and safety protocols are consistently applied.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a 'closed set' designation during an intimate scene?
- To reduce the number of crew to only essential personnel, protecting performer dignity and privacy (Correct answer)
- To prevent the media from filming behind-the-scenes footage
- To limit liability by controlling who witnesses consent negotiations
- To ensure the director has undivided attention during complex choreography
Correct answer: To reduce the number of crew to only essential personnel, protecting performer dignity and privacy
A closed set minimizes the number of people present during intimate scenes to protect performer dignity, privacy, and psychological safety.
Question 7: When should an intimacy coordinator issue a 'stop work' recommendation?
- Only when a performer explicitly requests to stop the scene
- Whenever the IC observes clear signs of distress, consent violation, or unsafe conditions, regardless of whether the performer speaks up (Correct answer)
- Only after consulting with the director and producer about production implications
- When the scene exceeds the negotiated parameters by more than one minor deviation
Correct answer: Whenever the IC observes clear signs of distress, consent violation, or unsafe conditions, regardless of whether the performer speaks up
The IC has an independent duty of care and must act on observed safety concerns even when performers may feel unable to speak up due to power dynamics.
IDC Safety Protocols & Risk Management 2
An actor discloses a trauma history related to the scene's content during a pre-production intimacy meeting.
What is the intimacy coordinator's FIRST responsibility?