Intimacy coordinator Angelica Gomez: She makes sure sex scenes are realistic — and safe

GMA Network

4 days ago

The Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni controversy is one of the bizarre incidents involving an alleged case of sexual harassment in Hollywood.
The case also put a spotlight on the role of an intimacy coordinator (IC) who was supposed to prevent exploitation of actors while filming romantic scenes.
What is an intimacy coordinator and what is expected of them during the filming of sex scenes?
Angelica Gomez, one of only a handful of Filipino intimacy coordinators in the United States, explained to The FilAm what an IC does.
"An intimacy coordinator is someone who choreographs simulated sex or intimate moments in television and film," she began. "They advocate for consent, boundaries, and safety protocols with actors and crew so that closed set shoots are successfully accomplished."
Angelica on the set of a project in New York City. Courtesy: The FilAm
What she means is that sex scenes are not an excuse for actors to grope, commit lascivious acts or make the other actor uncomfortable during love scenes. While Lively has taken Baldoni to court for alleged "sexual harassment" during the filming of "It Ends With Us," the latter denied the accusation maintaining an IC was present while they were filming and that no such incident had occurred.
"It's such a long-drawn-out thing and I don't know what the motives are," Gomez said when asked for her thoughts about the case. "There's a reason why the intimacy coordinators were there. They're adults. It's their decision."
Gomez, 61, became exposed to what an IC does when she appeared on an episode of "Law & Order: Organized Crime" where her shower scene entailed partial nudity. The IC provided to her explained the logistics of how they would assist her during filming.
After her experience, it sparked her curiosity in her considering a career as an IC. Gomez pursued online classes through the Intimacy Directors and Coordinators Professionals, Inc. Accelerated Online (IDC). She began the course in April of 2024 and received her certification by November 2024.
Gomez was grateful to her instructors at the program. Alicia Rodis is considered the "pioneer of the career" and is the first credited IC in "The Deuce" television series. Jessica Steinrock started IDC alongside her husband. Amanda Blumenthal shared her insights on how ICs navigate the industry. These women, said Gomez, helped create a relatively new career in the industry and brought it to where it is now, a growing profession booming with opportunities in cinema and television.
The IC industry is very community-oriented, said Gomez. "Everyone is in this together. There are even Facebook groups. People refer possible upcoming projects to others without even having met in person. Through this community, I was introduced to a Filipino intimacy coordinator in the Manila via Instagram video message, named Missy Maramara. We had a wonderful conversation and I was inspired by her. Missy said that she was one of only two intimacy coordinators in the Philippines. The career doesn't have a traditional path."
Gomez grew up in Manila and migrated to America when she married a Filipino U.S. Navy sailor. Prior to joining the television/film industry as an actor and active member of its union, Sag-Aftra, Gomez worked in the fashion industry for over 12 years. She is based in the New York City area.
Angelica with her IC kit. Courtesy: The FilAm
Gomez shows a deep passion for her career as an IC. The salary rate varies, depending on the budget of the film, she said.
"The weekly rate fluctuates," she said but Gomez respects the budget being a newbie in the field. Right now, it's about learning new things and broadening her potential career ventures, she said.
"The importance is not about monetary value but gaining experience."
Gomez described herself as "empathetic," ensuring that the screen environment is comfortable for the actors and even the production crew. She highly emphasizes communication amongst her peers to establish relationships before embarking on any project.
She uses what she calls "riders" as part of the industry standard protocols to communicate a safe working environment. "Riders" are essentially paperwork describing the scene for the actors to sign off and give their consent and boundaries. There's also a 48-hour grace period for review should the director or writer want to add more to the scene or make changes and adjustments even before this can take effect.
Being an IC can also be met with resistance, she said. For example, she said some male actors would like to take advantage of inappropriate behavior and consider the job of IC "useless."
Gomez emphasizes the importance of her intimacy coordinator kit that she always carries on set. It contains a plethora of items to ensure safety as well as comfort for the actors. It contains breath mints, alcohol pads, adhesive covers, and different types of skin tape, modesty garments, to name a few. There are different items for various needs. Gomez said she comes to the set prepared.
Some items Gomez created herself which she provides personally. "There's padding for barriers I made by cutting up a yoga mat. I also have a small partially inflated beach ball I use for a barrier."
Gomez is eager to gain more experience to establish her name. Her newest endeavor includes working on a student film for a future director studying in Columbia University, along with other potential summer projects. Ultimately, her biggest aspiration would be to work with the Filipino community and their projects. She takes pleasure in knowing that she did a thorough job in creatively making the set and scene not only comfortable and safe but also realistic and authentic to the director's vision of the story.
"The best reward I can really get is the experience of accomplishing a successful and safe shoot. That is very important to me," she said.
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Catherine Espejo from Nashville, Tennessee recently graduated from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville where she majored in Journalism and Electronic Media with a concentration in Creative Media. She was part of the editorial team of the school magazine, Ablaze.
She plans to attend graduate school for her master's degree at Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism. "I'm very excited about my future as a journalist!" she said.
— The FilAm