Lisa Stevens

Intimacy Coordinator/Director
SAG/AFTRA, AEA, CAEA, SSDC, BAE, ACTRA

“Lisa Stevens is an intuitive, gifted communicator and intimacy co-ordinator. Through her work and advocacy, she makes actors and crew alike feel at ease. As a result, performances feel more genuine because actors feel safe knowing that Lisa has their back. She is a wonderful asset to any production, and comes highly recommended.

— Julia Morson, Script Supervisor
"Kisqali" Breast Cancer & Me

Thread (Trailer)
Archipelago Productions
Director: Alex Josselyn-Hamilton

Click here for Resumé

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Intimacy Coordinator | Intimacy Director

What is an Intimacy Coordinator?

An Intimacy Professional (Intimacy Coordinator and Intimacy Director) is a practitioner who advocates for actors during scenes, or moments of heightened sensitivity, including nudity, partial nudity, sexually forward material, triggering naratives, minors and intimacy, and non-consensual touch. We strive to create a safe set, encouraging consent throughout production, while supporting the narrative of the director.

We liase and work with Legal (writing riders), Wardrobe (modesty wear & masking), Props (prosthetics and barriers), and with the directorial team so that the actor can perform their best work within the parameters of their comfort zone and sustainable mental health. Many Intimacy Professionals have additional training in such areas as mental health first aid, psychological first aid, non-violent communication, negotiations, and best practices as seen on SAG/AFTRA and ACTRA's Guidelines.

An Intimacy Professional is NOT the 'sex police' — quite the opposite. Once a set is deemed consensual, and boundaries are in place, the actor is liberated to work within those parameters, and able to connect the emotional story-telling to the physical.

When You Need An Intimacy Coordinator

• During intimacy — scenes and/or moments which involve nudity, inferred nudity, or simulated sex or sex acts
• Family Narratives — when children hug and/or kiss their parents, who are not actually their parents
• Birthing scenes
• Non-consensual acts of simulated sex or simulated sex acts
• Scenes involving pole-dancing and night-club dancing
• When creating scenes involving allure, seduction and passion
• Policy Support — developing, implementing and applying riders.
• Casting and transparency
• If an actor feels they need additional support, a bystander, or help moving through challenging material.

What I Bring

• Over 30 years of professional experience in Choreography, Direction and Movement
• Patience during challenging situations
• Working aside the director as opposed to leading them.
• Open communication
• Practices for tagging in/out, establishing boundaries, and receiving consent in a timely manner
• Options
• Administration support — riders, coordinating departments.

“Chemistry is rooted in vulnerability between two harmonious minds. Giving actors the freedom to explore that authentic, intimate expression in a safe, consensual, and diverse space is my role."