Intimacy Coordinator?
An intimacy coordinator is a choreographer, an advocate for actors, and a liaison between actors and production for scenes that involve nudity / hyper-exposed work, simulated sex acts, and/or intimate physical contact. Making sure we capture the flavour of the scene within the boundaries of the artists.
Previous Work:
Aryn was one of the Intimacy Coordinator involved in all 10 episodes of "Shogun, S1" supporting all scenes of Intimacy and Heightened Emotional content with professionalism, camaraderie and joy. Aryn provided essential risk breakdowns and mitigation strategies. Offered Mental Health First Aid support to cast and crew. And also specialized in scenes featuring children, babies, and youth. A proud member of the Shogun family, it was a deep privilege to support in this epic story.
Aryn was one of the Intimacy Coordinators involved in S1 of Death and Other Details. They brought expertise in consent and boundaries, queer representation and queer intimacy, along with choreographic techniques. Was grateful to contribute my Mental Health Coordinator skill set by working with young performers in scenes of heightened emotion.
k’Aryn met early with the production team to get a sense of the tone of the piece and the scenes. Met with performers and director for rehearsal before the shooting day. Supported with repeatable choreography for various camera angles, supported with breath placement and eye lines. Was a marvellous opportunity to tell a love story over such a long period of time
Aryn was one of the Intimacy Coordinator involved in all 10 episodes of "Shogun, S1" supporting all scenes of Intimacy and Heightened Emotional content with professionalism, camaraderie and joy. Aryn provided essential risk breakdowns and mitigation strategies. Offered Mental Health First Aid support to cast and crew. And also specialized in scenes featuring children, babies, and youth. A proud member of the Shogun family, it was a deep privilege to support in this epic story.
What Is A Mental Health Coordinator?
Mental Health Coordinator (MHC): Provides psychological support, monitors mental health impacts, and establishes protocols to help cast and crew mitigate and manage any emotional fallout from intense scenes. Strives for the safe and respectful execution of emotionally vulnerable scenes, and depiction of mental health challenges, trauma, and mental illness.
Testimonials
In the end it's all about collaboration, and working with Aryn was a true delight. They created a safe, respectful atmosphere on set, and cared for our cast . Aryn is amazing to work with and I hope I get the honour of working with them again.
Hiro Kamata- Director- Women of the willow world- Shogun s1
Kit Harington has opened up about the toll Game of Thrones took on his mental health, revealing he had to take a year off after the HBO epic concluded.
Speaking recently on SiriusXM’s The Jess Cagle Show, the 34-year-old actor said the “nature” of the violent, intense, emotional series “directly” broke him down in reality.
“I went through some mental health difficulties after Thrones, and during the end of Thrones, to be honest,” Harington told Cagle. “I think it was directly due to the nature of the show and what I had been doing for years.”
Bridgerton” actor Ruby Barker called out Netflix and Shondaland for failing to support her during two psychotic breaks that occurred in the wake of the romance series’ blockbuster success.
According to Barker, her mental health started declining during the filming of “Bridgerton.” She claimed her character’s isolated nature negatively impacted her.
“During filming, I was deteriorating,” she said. “It was a really tormenting place for me to be because my character was very alienated, very ostracized, on her own under these horrible circumstances.”
How Can a Mental Health Coordinator Help ?
Artist
Supports with ethical, authentic, sustainable and captivating portrayal on camera
Well-being
Mental Health Coordinators support Emotional and Physical well-being and psychological first aid for performers, crew and production before, during and after filming
Conflict Resolution
This mental health coordinator can support risk management, script breakdown, consent and boundaries. psychological wellness, communication and conflict resolution, saving time and money
Time management
A Mental Health Coordinator
Ensures that production is not delayed and
Ensures all personal on set have access to psychological first aid, and mental health resources.
Mitigation
Even better than that on-set therapist. Not only can a Mental Health Coordinator support with mental health challenges that can arise.
It’s like First Aid for Scenes of heightened emotion or potentially triggering content. It lets Productions do they jobs fully, assures performers they can delve into the material and scene, and if before, during or after anyone need support or resources they have them
Risk Mitigation
Reduces legal liabilities associated with workplace mental health issues.
This aligns with legal compliance and industry standards, safeguarding the production against potential challenges.
Industry Change
A Mental Health Coordinator on your production puts Mental Health considerations at the forefront and offers tailored support like first-aid.
What is a Intimacy Coordinator ?
Modesty Wear & Barriers
Intimacy Coordinators support with modesty wear and ensure performers have all the required elements and support for application and coiverage throughout the shoot.
Time Management
Expertise in choreo and blocking, an IC reduces the risk of physical and emotional discomfort for actors, minimizing potential liabilities for the production.
Crisis Management
Intimacy Coordinators handle unexpected challenges or concerns that may arise, an IC acts as a crisis manager, ensuring swift and appropriate resolutions while maintaining a professional atmosphere
Professionalism Assurance
An intimacy coordinator (IC) ensures a professional and respectful atmosphere on set during intimate scenes, keeping things rolling.
Closed Set
Intimacy Coordinators support with CLOSED SET Protocols as stipulated by SAG/AFTRA and UBCP-ACTRA
Consent Facilitation
Navigating sensitive content, an IC facilitates open communication, obtaining clear consent from actors and establishing transparent boundaries for intimate scenes.
Training and Education
These programs equip production with the skills to navigate scenes professionally and develop clear communication and protocol pathways to streamline productivity.
About Aryn
they|them ('ARE'INN)
Introducing Aryn Mott: award-winning artist, Canada's first certified Mental Health and a certified Intimacy Coordinator. Accredited by SAG-AFTRA and UBCP/ACTRA, Aryn brings vibrant professionalism and a strong commitment to equity and safety to every collaboration.
Over 500 hours of Intimacy Training, 3,600 hours of on-set experience, and over 18 years in Film, TV, and Theatre, Aryn's expertise is unmatched. They emphasize a consent-based, embodied approach, showcased by a remarkable portfolio of over 100 credits in Intimacy Coordination, Mental Health, and Performance. Notable projects include Shogun S1 (FX/HULU), SUITS LA Pilot, and Death and Details (HULU).
Currently pursuing a Master’s in Counselling and Psychology and preparing for a PhD on performance's psychological and physiological effects, Aryn is committed to enhancing the industry's understanding of mental health. a member of the Progress Pride Committee at ACTRA National and a contributor to UBCP/ACTRA’s Mental Health & Accessibility and Queer Committees,
Aryn is an educator at Vancouver Film School, teaching Empowered Actor and Intimacy for the Actor. They lead workshops on mental health and intimacy coordination across Canada and internationally, partnering with film unions and organizations to promote safe practices and empower actors in the industry.
They run a SAG/AFTRA accredited Intimacy Training Program at Vancity IC called Aligned
Authentic, knowledgeable, and collaborative, Aryn is grateful to create on the traditional lands of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
