Tag Archive for: sex scenes

3 Language Tips for Directing Intimacy

,

So much of directing is communication. What language do I use with actors? What words do I use to communicate my vision to cast and crew?

I think it’s safe to say that human beings, though, aren’t naturally good verbal communicators. We’re not born with language. Language has to be learnt. 

This extends to learning language for directing content that includes intimacy, nudity and simulated sex scenes.

How Language Makes a Difference

When DEGANZ was joined by NZ actor and intimacy coordinator Tandi Wright to talk about what intimacy coordinators do, she shared that actors more commonly have bad experiences “because communication and planning is often poor or non-existent.”

“Directors, actors and producers are often embarrassed to talk about the intimate material, which I know sounds ridiculous but that is true.”

Like stunts, intimate scenes have inherent safety risks – people can get hurt physically and psychologically. You’d never take a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude with stunts, so why would you with intimate scenes? When we shy away from talking with our team, it leaves each person to deal with stress, anxiety and even trauma on their own if they have a bad experience on set or have experienced sexual harm in their own lives.

A game changer has been the adoption of intimacy coordinators on a whole range of productions, big and small, here in Aotearoa within the space of four years, along with Equity NZ’s invaluable Intimacy Guidelines for Stage and Screen.

“Intimate scenes have seldom been creative spaces,” says Tandi. But they can be “robust and playful like any other scene.” Being really specific and detailed about what you want and what’s involved will make filming scenes a positive, collaborative experience where actors feel safe and respected. It’s just professional.

DEGANZ has been running Directing In the Intimate Zone, a one-day practical workshop introducing directors to intimacy best practices, tools and language, because awareness and education is still needed. Recently, we ran Directing In the Intimate Zone in Auckland tutored by actor/intimacy coordinator Jennifer Te Atamaira Ward-Lealand.

From observing that workshop, I thought I’d share a few gold nuggets from Jennifer on professional language that you can learn for directing intimate scenes.

Use Consent Language

In the workshop, Jennifer demonstrated the touch consent process with the actors, which a few directors in the class later practised in breakouts. If a director knows how, they could facilitate this process without an intimacy coordinator present for less demanding scenes. (Here’s a guide by Intimacy Coordinators Aotearoa on when to hire an IC.)

 

Actors using the touch consent process with Jennifer Ward-Lealand (left). / Photo: Tù Studios

 

Basically, the touch consent process has actors standing facing each other, fully-clothed, and taking it in turns to ask for the other’s consent to touch a specific body part – in relation to the context of the scene. The third party (the intimacy coordinator and/or director) guides the process.

For example: 

Jennifer: Laura, can you ask Sam if it’s okay with him if you can hold his hands?’

Laura (to Sam): Is it okay with you if I touch your hands?

Laura can indicate on her own body where she will be touching.

Once Sam has verbally agreed to the request, Laura will touch Sam’s hands, and then Jennifer will have Sam ask the same question of Laura.

The process is methodical and simple to follow, covering all areas of the body that will be touched during the choreography. It creates trust and sets clear boundaries for where each actor has agreed to be touched and where is off limits. Moreover, there is no expectation on the actor to divulge personal reasons for why they don’t like being touched in a certain area.

Note that Jennifer had the class use “Is it okay if I _____?” over “Can I touch your _____?” The difference may seem subtle but the latter is a more open request for consent.

Desexualise Language

Another key takeaway for the room that felt like a eureka moment for me was Jennifer’s lessons on desexualising the language around the work. One major way intimacy coordinators professionalise the filming of intimacy or sexual content is getting cast and crew to use anatomically-correct terms, like buttocks, breast and even gluteal cleft (that’s a butt crack, by the way!).

Such language is not emotionally loaded, but helps separate the professional from the personal. And is really important because actors should feel ‘personally safe’ to be ‘professionally open and vulnerable’, which is central to their craft.

Intimacy coordinators also use desexualised language for actions. For example, instead of a director saying, “You’re going to grab her arse”, they could say, “Okay, so this is when we’re looking for a firm squeezing of the buttock.”

During a rehearsal at the workshop, Jennifer also suggested using the words “Close the distance, one of you maintaining eye contact and the other avoiding eye contact every now and then” instead of “Move towards each other in a flirty way,” which in the end is a very generalised instruction and brings to mind certain obvious tropes.

If seeing directors pause in the workshop before specifying a body part or action is any indication, a bit of rewiring of the brain is likely required at first. But from her experience, Tandi Wright says the sense of professionalism is almost immediate. If you don’t know what term to use, don’t be embarrassed to ask your IC!

You might be thinking that desexualising intimate scene work might seem contradictory. But it felt incredibly liberating for the performers and directors in Directing In the Intimate Zone. Actions become technical choreography, like a dance or a stunt, and with your IC and actors, you can hone in on choreographing really specific beats and tell the story of the scene in a much more creative and deeper way.

Ask for Performance Level and Placeholders

During the process of choreographing the scenes, which involves repetition, actors don’t have to give 100% every time. You can ask them, “Are you okay to go with performance level kissing or would you prefer to use placeholders for now?”

A placeholder for a kiss might be touching hands or leaning in and turning heads away from each other.

So those are a few language tips for directing intimate scenes. If you want to go deeper into language, tools and processes with the helpful aid of seeing the work in action, we are holding Directing In the Intimate Zone, a workshop with Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand in Rotorua on October 16.

 

Tema Pua
Events & Marketing Manager

/by

Postponed: Directing In the Intimate Zone – Auckland

,

Postponed until Alert Level 1 – Registrations and applications will reopen once we have a new date. We will hold onto all completed applications in the meantime. Thanks for your understanding.

Learn best practices for directing on-screen intimacy with Tandi Wright.

DEGNZ welcomes directors to join us for a one-day Auckland workshop, taught by actor and intimacy coordinator Tandi Wright. We will discuss and work with actors on developing scenes involving intimacy, using a process developed by UK intimacy coordinator Ita O’Brien, and Equity NZ’s Intimacy Guidelines for Stage and Screen.

There are four places for directors to participate and additional places for directors to observe.

Please note: this workshop is R18 and there will be no nudity in the workshop.

About Tandi Wright

With over 25 years of experience, Tandi is one of Aotearoa’s best-known actors. She has worked in the US, Australia and NZ and has been nominated for numerous awards.

Tandi is also a trained intimacy coordinator under the mentorship of Ita O’Brien of Intimacy On Set, who has pioneered this work internationally. Tandi has now served as intimacy coordinator on numerous and wide-ranging screen projects – from major studio productions (Netflix, Amazon, A24) to mid-range NZ features (Nude Tuesday, Juniper, The Justice of Bunny King, Punch), to low-budget student films.

Tandi is Vice-President of Equity New Zealand, the performers’ union, and is a founding board member of NZ Actors Benevolent Fund. She is co-author of the Intimacy Guidelines for Stage and Screen in NZ, which were released nationwide in 2020.

Workshop Details

When: Sunday 12 September, 9am – 5pm

Where: MTG RM, 2 Kingsland Terrace, Kingsland, Auckland

Price:

DEGNZ member – Free
Non-member earlybird until August 18 – $80
Non-member standard – $95

Lunch and refreshments included

Directors

Register below to take part either as a participant director or as an observer.

During the class, the four selected participant directors will take turns directing pairs of actors on an intimate scene under Tandi’s guidance. Upon selection, participants may submit a short, intimate scene for two characters – either with or without dialogue – for consideration ahead of the workshop. We can also provide scene options if preferred.

Eligibility to apply as a Participant Director:

  • You must have experience directing actors for screen.
  • Priority will be given to those who are actively engaged in directing or preparing to direct narrative drama, especially if you are dealing with scenes with intimate content.

Registration

Registration Closes: Tuesday 7 September, 1PM

Deadline for Participant Applications: Friday 27 August, 1PM

To apply as a Participant Director, complete the online registration form below and email your supporting documents to tema@deganz.co.nz:

  • a CV/bio with filmography
  • a brief letter summarising why you would like to participate as a director, what you hope to gain from the workshop, and any experience directing intimacy (not a requirement for selection).

If you apply as a participant director and are unsuccessful, we will offer you a place to observe.

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

 

Loading…

 

This initiative is brought to you with the generous support of the New Zealand Film Commission.

NZFC

/by

Directing In the Intimate Zone – Wellington

,
A woman adjusts her hair as a man stands in the background© Kezia Barnett, The Kezia Library

DEGNZ invites directors to join us for a one-day Wellington workshop, taught by Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand, on best practices for directing on-screen intimacy.

In Directing In the Intimate Zone, we will discuss and work with actors on the process of developing scenes that involve intimacy, nudity and/or simulated sex, developed by UK intimacy coordinator Ita O’Brien and based on Equity NZ’s Intimacy Guidelines for Stage and Screen. The workshop will also look at directing intimacy in the COVID-19 era.

There are four places for directors to participate, as well as places for directors to observe.

During the class, Participant Directors will take turns to direct pairs of actors in intimate scenes under Jennifer’s guidance. Participant Directors upon selection will each be invited to submit a short, intimate scene – either with or without dialogue – for consideration ahead of the workshop.

About Jennifer Ward-Lealand

Jennifer Ward-LealandSince training at Auckland’s influential Theatre Corporate, Jennifer has worked extensively in theatre, film, television, musical and radio for 40 years. One of New Zealand’s most recognisable acting talents and a respected theatre director, she has taught for The Actors’ Program, Toi Whakaari, UNITEC, Te Pou and NASDA.

Jennifer is currently President of Equity New Zealand, Patron of Q Theatre, and serves as a trust board member of The Actors Benevolent Fund. She was named SPADA Industry Champion in 2018 and in 2019 given a Women of Influence (Arts & Culture) Award. In the 2019 New Year’s Honours List she received a CNZM, Companion of the NZ Order of Merit for services to theatre, film and television and is this year’s New Zealander of the Year. Jennifer is a trained intimacy coordinator under the mentorship of Ita O’Brien, Intimacy on Set (UK).

Workshop Details

When: Sunday 15 November 2020, 9am – 5pm

Where: RANDOM, 43 Hanson Street, Mount Cook, Wellington 6021

Price:
DEGNZ member – Free
Non-member – $75 (discounted due to COVID-19. Normal price $95)

Lunch and refreshments provided.

Eligibility:

This workshop is R18.

To be eligible to apply as a Participant Director:

  • You must have experience directing at least short films/dramatic content.
  • Priority will be given to those who are actively engaged in directing or preparing to direct narrative drama, especially if you are dealing with scenes of nudity, intimacy and/or simulated sex.

To Apply

To register as an Observer, complete the registration form below.

To apply as a Participant Director, complete the registration form below and email your supporting documents to tema@deganz.co.nz before the registration deadline:

  • a CV/bio with filmography
  • a brief letter summarising why you would like to participate as a director, what you hope to gain from the workshop, and any experience directing intimacy (not a requirement for selection).

If you apply as a Participant and are unsuccessful, you will receive an offer to attend as an Observer.

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

Registration Deadline: 1PM, Thursday 5 November 2020

Registration Form

 

Loading…

 

Cancellation and payment policies


This initiative is brought to you with the generous support of the New Zealand Film Commission.

NZFC

/by

Directing In the Intimate Zone – Christchurch

,
Directing In the Intimate Zone

DEGNZ encourages directors, actors and producers to join us for a one-day Christchurch workshop with Louise Leitch on directing intimacy, after the first Directing In the Intimate Zone workshop in Auckland.

Until now, many directors have not given enough thought and been equipped for directing actors in scenes that involve intimacy, nudity and simulated sex. These scenes can make actors feel extremely vulnerable, particularly when this sensitive area of performance is not given the preparation and care it is due.

In Directing In the Intimate Zone, we will discuss and work with actors on the process of developing an intimate scene for the screen using the best practice guidelines developed by UK intimacy coordinator Ita O’Brien, who was brought over by Equity to run training workshops in Auckland in late 2018.

During the class, Participant Directors will take turns to direct pairs of actors in intimate scenes under Louise’s guidance. Participant Directors upon selection will be invited to submit a short, intimate scene – either with or without dialogue – for consideration ahead of the workshop.

There are four places for directors to participate, as well as places for directors, actors and producers to observe.

About Louise Leitch

Louise Leitch

Photo credit: Tammy Williams

Louise has earned a reputation as a talented story-teller, directing award-winning short films, close to 200 episodes of television drama, and prime-time documentary and docu-drama series in both Australia and NZ. Her critically acclaimed Whakatiki screened in over 20 international film festivals including Tribeca, Tampere, Uppsala, Vladivostok, Hawaii, NZIFF, Show Me Shorts and ImagineNATIVE, winning Best Short Film at First Peoples’ Festival Montreal, Best Actress in a Short Film at Wairoa Film Festival and Best Actress in a Short Film at The NZ Film Awards.

Louise attended Ita O’Brien’s intimacy workshops in NZ in 2018 and is training with Ita to become an accredited Intimacy Coordinator. Louise is currently Vice President of the Directors & Editors Guild NZ and has contributed to the drafting of Equity NZ’s Intimacy Guidelines for Stage and Screen.

She teaches film, television and intimacy best practice at RMIT University in Melbourne and The New Zealand Broadcasting School.

Workshop Details

Price:
DEGNZ / Equity NZ member – Free
Non-member regional price – $75

Lunch and refreshments provided

When: Saturday 23 November 2019, 9am – 5pm

Where: Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, 59 Hewitts Rd, Merivale, Christchurch

Travel Allowances
DEGNZ Full members may apply for financial assistance of up to $250 (incl. GST) towards their travel costs.

  • DEGNZ has up to 4 travel allowances available for this workshop.
  • Applicants must live outside Canterbury.
  • Priority will be given to Full members living in the South Island and the Wellington region.
  • For further information and criteria, see here.

Eligibility:

This workshop is R18.

To be eligible to apply as a Participant Director:

  • You must have experience directing at least short films/dramatic content, and are working in/moving into longer-form drama/film.
  • Priority will be given to those who are actively engaged in directing or preparing to direct narrative drama, especially if you are dealing with scenes of nudity, intimacy and/or simulated sex.

If you apply as a Participant and are unsuccessful, you will receive an offer to attend as an Observer.

To Apply

To register as an Observer, complete the registration form below.

To apply as a Participant Director, complete the registration form below and email your supporting documents to tema@deganz.co.nz before the registration deadline:

  • a CV/bio with filmography
  • a brief letter summarising why you would like to participate as a director, what you hope to gain from the workshop, and any experience directing intimacy (not a requirement for selection).

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Registration Deadline: 3PM, Thursday 24 October

Registration Form

 

Loading…

 

Refund Policy: Requests for refunds must be received by Sunday 17 November. A $2.50 cancellation fee will be incurred. Refunds can take up to approximately 10 working days to process.

 

This initiative is brought to you with the generous support of the New Zealand Film Commission.

NZFC

/by

Intimacy Guidelines a Win-Win

View from the Top banner

UK based Intimacy Coordinator Ita O’Brien spent three days in Auckland last December sharing her highly acclaimed approach to intimacy on set.

The events gave actors, directors, producers, writers and crew from the stage and screen industries an opportunity to learn Ita’s best practice approaches to intimacy, simulated sex scenes, and nudity, implementing her Intimacy On Set Guidelines.

I attended the introductory seminar and two workshops: the first, for actors and directors interested in exploring clear guidelines when working with intimacy, and scenes with sexual content; the second, for potential intimacy coordinators.

I came away from the workshops with a clear framework for directing intimate scenes. Using the Intimacy on Set Guidelines helped remove any awkwardness and kept the work in a clearly professional space. I feel that I now have more tools in my director’s toolkit and greater confidence in working with intimate content.

Ita O’Brien recommends that Intimacy on Set Guidelines are used as standard practice for all intimate scenes. When a production calls for nudity, simulated sex and/or any sexual violence, Ita recommends productions engage an Intimacy Coordinator.

In many ways, an intimacy coordinator can be likened to a fight coordinator. Far from stepping on the creative toes of the director, the role of an intimacy coordinator, like a good fight coordinator, is to work with the director to help them realise their vision. By helping the director to choreograph, rehearse and stage a scene, intimacy coordinators keep performers safe and able to give their best. Action is broken down into achievable, repeatable beats over which directors and actors lay the emotional journey of the scene. In my opinion, it’s a win-win for directors, actors and the production as a whole.

Equity NZ are currently updating NZ’s Guidelines for Nudity and Intimacy on Stage and Screen. The intention is that these Guidelines become standard practice throughout our industry. At DEGNZ we have been working closely with Equity on updating the Guidelines and will keep our members informed of progress.

The Equity Foundation, who hosted Ita O’Brien’s visit to Australia and NZ, put together a short video of the Australasian events, which you can view here.

Louise Leitch
Director | DEGNZ Vice-President

/by