By François Leblanc – Contributor

On Feb. 27, students from the drama and English department met Jen Viens, an intimacy director. Intimacy professionals like Viens collaborate with live-action and film productions to help plan out and execute intimate scenes while advocating for actors’ wellbeing. For two hours and a half, Viens taught the micro-class about what an actor is allowed to do; what would be a bad working environment regarding consent; and the reasons why their job exists. 

In the field of acting, whether it is on a live stage or on a film set, intimacy directors and coordinators advocate that consent should be everywhere. From the actors’ audition to the table reading to the production of the scenes themselves, there must be consent from all parties from A to B. Ever since the #MeToo movement, the role of intimacy professionals has become more prominent on set and has helped ensure that actors are safe and at ease with their work.

Like in intimate relationships, communication is essential for a team to do the dream work. Producers, writers and directors must take care to listen to what actors have to say regarding the intimate scenes they have to act. They may ask actors questions such as: “tell me what you feel about this.” Viens also explained that context is crucial. If there is simply another way to do the scene, then that should be done.   

Consent is the backbone of intimacy in acting, and there are boundaries that must be respected, Viens taught. Consent is non-negotiable for actors, and the word “no” is a full sentence. During the workshop, students had to walk between tables and greet the person they crossed. They then had to ask to shake the other person’s hand and respect their consent. The exercise elicited many more nos than yeses, as this was the main objective. Such physical boundary practices highlight the importance of consent, not only in acting but in everyday life.

Intimate scenes are almost never improvised. Each hand on each body part, each kiss or any movement is thoughtfully planned and choreographed with the intimacy director or coordinator. Intimate scenes can be over-the-top, like in a comedy, or grounded, such as in a drama. When filming the scene, the production also needs to have a beginning and a closing ritual, explained Viens; this can be a dance, a high five or any other cooperative movement that separates that moment from real life. 

Consent is a universal requirement, whether it is in a relationship, in a job or even during artistic creation. Through communication, attentiveness to context, minimalist choreography and closing rituals, consensual intimacy scenes can work out on a live-action or film set.