INTIMACY COORDINATION

FROM EDGY TO ETHICAL EFFECTIVE

Being on set/stage is rarely a comfortable job, especially when working with intimate scenes. It's mentally and physically challenging for actors.

For me, comfort is never the goal. Safety is individually seen relative, and safety needs are not the same for everyone.

My mission is to create an open, transparent language enabling a sensitive, consent-based and conscious way of working more efficiently with actors/actresses and the rest of the crew regarding intimate scenes.

By honouring individual boundaries with a neutral language choreography, actors and crew members (re-)gain the needed space to focus on their skills in telling the story. The tools I use prevent, remove and minimise any miss-interpretations, awkward situations and 'overstepping the line' moments.

Still, the choreography for intimate scenes is created in close, sensitive cooperation under the artistic umbrella and within the creative team. Together we help creating the magic and beauty of film & stage actions in compelling storytelling within personal boundaries.

As a result, actors/actresses and crew members feel seen, heard, and respected to enable the most promising performances in a clear space and within a sensitive team atmosphere.

The bonus on the production side is a less time-consuming and more productive process on set or stage.

“YES, THAT’S RIGHT, I AM NOT THE SEX POLICE. I AM YOUR BOUNDARY ADVOCATE.”
— TOM WALDEK, Intimacy Coordinator

When it comes to #MeToo combined with racist and unethical incidents, it shows how many hidden, unreflected assaults due to power dynamics in this and so many further industries have been happening. It continues to be present in daily working situations.

It clarifies why the support of intimacy coordination in film and stage productions is an essential and inevitable tool to make change happen in the future and make waves beyond that.

Tom has been trained by TIE - THEATRICAL INTIMACY EDUCATION (USA) and CULTURE CHANGE HUB (GER)

Working as a director, editor, and especially actor allows Tom to professionally support actors/actresses and the crew ethically and effectively as an intimacy coordinator.

Further educational trainings and workshops:

  • Antidiscrimination in film (Drehübung, Katrin Wladasch / AT)

  • Trans in film (Drehübung, Perry Baumgartinger /AT)

  • Discrimination critical language in film (Filmkultur, Benita Bailey & Perry Baumgartinger) / AT

[in German language with English subtitles]

INFO MATERIALS

provided by

Feel free to download and browse through helpful information materials provided in English and German by BIK - Berufsverband für Intimitätskoordination und Kampfchoreographie / German-speaking association for intimacy coordination and fight choreography.

Find more helpful info materials by visiting: www.b-ik.art/infomaterial

Check out the BIK’s website for more workshops, educational events, and support.

I want to thank the BIK team for their support in making this industry a better place to work in.

SURVEY STUDY:

WHY INTIMACY COORDINATION MATTERS

Learn more about why pronouns matter.