Ita O’Brien’s company Intimacy on Set has collaborated with Mountview to created the world-first accredited university course (Picture: Nina Photography)
Pioneering intimacy coordinator Ita O’Brien has launched the world’s first university accredited master’s course in the practice, in conjunction with UK drama school Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.
Following the birth of the #MeToo movement in 2017 and the downfall of disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein in October of that year – since sentenced to decades in jail for his sex crimes against women in the industry – the fast rise of the practice of intimacy coordination has been one of the most positive consequences.
Shows such as Sex Education, Normal People and I May Destroy You had sex scenes that caught viewers’ imaginations and fired up conversations on social media: All of these were the work of O’Brien, a dancer and actor turned movement director who had previously been self-developing intimacy rehearsal protocols in the industry.
As intimacy coordinators become a more common fixture on film and TV sets in Hollywood and across the world, O’Brien through her company Intimacy on Set has now developed the first degree course in the practice in conjunction with Mountview.
The two-year Master of Fine Arts course will be validated by the University of East Anglia, with applications open from Monday, March 20, for a September 2023 first course intake.
Explaining how the idea of the course came about, O’Brien told Metro.co.uk: ‘Since I have been working as an intimacy practitioner and the role has gained greater prominence, each day we have had enquiries from people asking to be trained.
O’Brien is the course leader and will teach across its modules (Picture: Nina Photography)
The demand for intimacy coordinators for film, TV and theatre has exploded over the past five and a half years (Picture: Petra Curtis)
‘At the same time as the value of the role has grown, I have been advocating for any production that has intimate content, be it live performance or filmed, to have an intimacy practitioner on set, but there are not enough trained practitioners to fulfil that demand.’
O’Brien also praised the ‘natural fit’ of Mountview for the course thanks to her history with the drama school.
‘Back in 2015, Meredith Dufton, the then head of movement, invited me to teach what I was developing with best practice in this area, which resulted in the creation of the Intimacy On Set Guidelines. So it is wonderful to come back together with Mountview in the development of this new course.
‘The rigour of working in partnership with Mountview to deliver an MFA together with the validation by UEA is exceptional expertise in action. It has been a joy to be able to create this world-first course in this way and we are really excited to get going,’ she said.
O’Brien worked with Emma Corrin, left, and Jack O’Connell on intimate scenes for the new Netflix adaptation of Lady Chatterley’s Lover (Picture: Netflix via AP)
One of her first high-profile credits as an intimacy practitioner was Sex Education (Picture: Jon Hall/Netflix/Kobal/Rex/Shutterstock)
Some of O’Brien’s recent credits include Lady Chatterley’s Lover, starring Emma Corrin and Jack O’Connell, Sam Mendes’ latest release, Empire of Light, with Olivia Colman, Micheal Ward and Colin Firth, TV show Dangerous Liaisons and Magic Mike’s Last Dance.
With a pedigree of past collaborators including the BBC, Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV Plus, Channel 4, HBO, Sky, ITV, the National Theatre and the Royal Opera House, O’Brien is taking on the role of the course leader and will be teaching ‘right across’ it, which is something she says she ‘can’t wait’ for.
Discussing the timing of the course, O’Brien also pointed out the common goal that she and Mountview share.
O’Brien is keen to supply the industry with properly trained and experienced intimacy practitioners (Picture: Nina Photography)
The industry leader has hopes that the role will become mandatory on all productions creating intimate content in the near future (Picture: Petra Curtis)
‘It was important to develop this new course with Mountview because, not only do we share this history of the development of the role, but we also share a common goal in wanting to train a generation of qualified intimacy practitioners.
‘We are seeing an increase in demand and there are not enough properly trained and experienced intimacy practitioners out there to supply it. We want to make sure that this new course will help us get there.’
The course will include intimacy coordination for live theatre, TV and film, movement practices, knowledge of human anatomy, understanding and implementing paperwork and contracts regarding intimate content, closed set protocols, and knowledge and collaboration regarding the use of modesty garments and barriers for safety, comfort and sexual health.
With an eye on the future, O’Brien’s main aim is to ensure that not only is intimacy coordination a sustainable practice for the industry, as one that ultimately protects actors and crew members on set, but that it also becomes obligatory.
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‘My hopes are that with the support of this course that we will be able to supply a continuous cohort of highly experienced and trusted practitioners to the industry. Additionally, I hope to see my earlier dream realised – that intimacy practitioners become mandatory on all productions that are working with and creating intimate content.’
‘Together with Mountview, we want to futureproof the industry so that we can both safeguard actors and simply make the best work.’
Intimacy on Set and Mountview’s MFA Intimacy Practice is open for applications now.
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The industry leading intimacy coordinator is known for her work on TV shows including Normal People, Sex Education and I May Destroy You.