IDC Safety Protocols & Risk Management 4 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'simulated sex scene' as classified in most US production contexts?
- Any scene depicting physical affection between characters
- A scene depicting sexual activity where no actual sexual contact occurs, performed by actors using choreography and camera techniques (Correct answer)
- A scene that uses body doubles for all explicit content
- Any scene rated above PG-13 by the MPAA
Correct answer: A scene depicting sexual activity where no actual sexual contact occurs, performed by actors using choreography and camera techniques
A simulated sex scene depicts sexual activity without actual sexual contact, using choreography, camera angles, and technique to create the impression of intimacy.
Question 2: In risk assessment for an intimate scene, which factor would elevate the risk classification from 'low' to 'moderate' or 'high'?
- The scene takes place on a public location rather than a studio
- The presence of skin exposure, power-imbalanced character dynamics, or trauma-adjacent content themes (Correct answer)
- The scene involves two performers who have not worked together before
- The director is known for improvisational direction styles
Correct answer: The presence of skin exposure, power-imbalanced character dynamics, or trauma-adjacent content themes
Skin exposure, power imbalances between characters, and trauma-adjacent themes are recognized risk escalators that require heightened IC protocols.
Question 3: How should an intimacy coordinator handle a situation where two co-performers have a real-life romantic relationship?
- No special protocols are needed since they already have established consent outside of work
- Still conduct full standard intimacy consultation and choreography, as professional set consent is distinct from personal relationship consent (Correct answer)
- Obtain a written waiver from both performers confirming they consent based on their existing relationship
- Reduce consultation time given the performers' existing comfort with each other
Correct answer: Still conduct full standard intimacy consultation and choreography, as professional set consent is distinct from personal relationship consent
Personal relationships do not transfer as professional consentāall performers receive the same standard protocols regardless of their off-set relationship status.
Question 4: What distinguishes a 'nudity rider' from a standard actor contract in terms of intimacy safety?
- The nudity rider specifies the exact body parts the actor consents to expose and the conditions under which they may be filmed (Correct answer)
- The nudity rider provides additional compensation for intimate scenes only
- The nudity rider replaces the need for an intimacy coordinator by documenting all scene parameters
- The nudity rider is used exclusively for scripted nudity, not incidental exposure
Correct answer: The nudity rider specifies the exact body parts the actor consents to expose and the conditions under which they may be filmed
A nudity rider is a contractual document specifying which body parts a performer consents to expose, under what conditions, and with what modesty provisions.
Question 5: A performer has a contractual nudity rider that permits toplessness. During filming, the director requests the actor to be fully nude. What should the intimacy coordinator do?
- Advise the director that the change requires renegotiation and halt the scene until proper consent is obtained (Correct answer)
- Ask the performer privately if they are willing to proceed with the director's request
- Document the director's request and allow the performer to decide on their own
- Approve the change if the performer verbally agrees in the moment
Correct answer: Advise the director that the change requires renegotiation and halt the scene until proper consent is obtained
Any expansion beyond contractual nudity parameters requires formal renegotiationāan in-the-moment verbal agreement does not constitute proper consent under power-dynamic conditions.
Question 6: Which de-escalation technique is most appropriate when a performer shows signs of acute stress during an intimate scene rehearsal?
- Push through the rehearsal quickly to minimize the duration of discomfort
- Pause the rehearsal, check in with the performer privately, and offer to resume when they are ready or modify the approach (Correct answer)
- Have the director redirect the performer's focus to the character's motivation
- Replace the performer with their stand-in to allow the rehearsal to continue
Correct answer: Pause the rehearsal, check in with the performer privately, and offer to resume when they are ready or modify the approach
Pausing and conducting a private, supportive check-in is the appropriate de-escalation response, prioritizing the performer's wellbeing over production momentum.
Question 7: What is the primary safety purpose of separating 'character consent' from 'performer consent' in intimacy work?
- To help actors stay in character during difficult emotional scenes
- To clarify that a character's willingness within a fictional narrative does not imply the real actor's consent to physical acts (Correct answer)
- To prevent actors from using character motivation as a reason to refuse direction
- To ensure that scripts accurately reflect what performers have consented to
Correct answer: To clarify that a character's willingness within a fictional narrative does not imply the real actor's consent to physical acts
Character consent refers to narrative fiction, while performer consent governs actual physical actsāconflating them is a major source of harm and boundary violations on set.
IDC Safety Protocols & Risk Management 4
What is a 'simulated sex scene' as classified in most US production contexts?