sarah scanlon

Sarah is proud to be on the SAG/AFTRA Intimacy Coordinator Registry (https://tinyurl.com/SAG-Registry) and a Certified Intimacy Director and Coordinator with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC).

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Check out my interview with The Op Podcast where I discuss the role of an Intimacy Coordinator and collaborating with camera operators on set!

 

My job as an intimacy director (also sometimes referred to as an intimacy choreographer or in the on-camera world an intimacy coordinator) is to facilitate, create, and choreograph moments of simulated intimacy in the most professional, artistic, and safest way possible for the artists involved in telling the story. I am an advocate for the actor's emotional and physical health during the work, as well as ensuring that the most exciting story is being told through the movement and choreography that we create. I work in service of the director's vision to create innovative solutions and achievable action for the performers to be as confident as they can be to bring a story to life. I am there to act as another outside eye to the script and process. 

 

Creating space for this work includes consent training, chemistry exercises and techniques to tap into different intensity levels and vulnerability, best practices for emotional and physical safety while engaging in the work, nudity protocols, and choreographing safe, repeatable, and engaging movement to communicate the story of the scene. 

 

An intimacy director can assist with anything from teaching techniques to create believable sexual tension between actors, to choreography for any kissing or simulated intimate touch, to staging simulated sex, simulated sexual violence, or simulated assault. An intimacy director can also be utilized to create moments of platonic intimacy and assist in creating shared vocabulary and comfort between actors, making relationships more believable and specific. 

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Recent projects include intimacy direction for Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Paramount Theatre Company's Bold Series, Notre Dame Shakepeare Festival, Steep Theatre, Redtwist, Northwestern University, DePaul University, Pride Films and Plays, among others.

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I am currently the Intimacy Coordinator for season 7 of The Chi, after spending both season 5 and 6 with this amazing show. Other projects include Deli Boys, Emperor of Ocean Park, Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, Shining Girls, Fargo s4, Somebody Somewhere s1,

VAM Studios web series "Finesse" and "Damaged Goods", among other independent features and shorts. Please drop me a line for my full resume and details. 

 

See what people have said about some of my work here.

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When I work as a general movement director, I am there to help find and specify the physical language of a piece in accordance with the director's vision. This can include assisting with the staging of difficult transitions, to working with the physicality of the ensemble or individual actors, to training with puppets or objects, to creating the movement vocabulary for animal or creature characters. I use my background as an aerial and circus artist, clown, Viewpoints technique, mask work, contact improv, and Laban to collaborate clearly, efficiently, and joyfully in a rehearsal room. 

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Please reach out for more information, references, or questions about a specific project.

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