Photo: Paul Schiraldi/HBO
HBO is doing their part to ensure that actors feel comfortable when asked to performintimate scenes.
The companyhired its first intimacy coordinatorafterThe Deuceactress Emily Meade, who had felt “uneasy” during a sex scene she had filmed during the show’s first season, demanded that action be taken,Rolling Stonereported.
Starting season 2, Alicia Rodis was on-hand to review scripts, have conversations with actors about exactly what they were comfortable doing and make sure they stayed appraised of any last-minute changes made to the script.
“I am here to give a voice to actors, especially actors who feel like they don’t have one,” Rodis toldRolling Stone. “And I’m also here for the producers, to make sure that they know they’re doing their best to make sure the set is safe. Here we are a year after #MeToo andBrett Kavanaughsits on the Supreme Court. Donald Trump is our president. Now, tell me we don’t need this — that we don’t have a culture that needs to still be changed.”
Before HBO announced their policy change, David Simon,The Deuceshowrunner, opened up about what aneye-opening experiencehiring an intimacy coordinator had been.
“Her job is to facilitate the filming of simulated sex and intimacy in such a way that we’re protecting the emotions and the dignity of everybody who’s involved,” he toldRolling Stone.” ‘Cause it’s hard work, a lot harder than violence.”
“I don’t think I’m ever going to work without an intimacy coordinator again,” he added. “Because the truth is, we knew we were asking a lot of actors and directors and crew in terms of professionalism and to deliver this material bluntly and honestly. But you can ask all you want — at a certain point everybody has to trust everybody.”Rodis now also serves as an intimacy coordinator for numerous HBO projects, includingCrashingand the upcomingWatchmenseries.
source: people.com
