After Blake Lively’s Lawsuit, An Actor’s Advice About Sex Scenes And Intimacy Coordinators Is Going Viral

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As a seasoned movie enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of Hollywood over the past few decades, I find myself deeply moved by the recent discourse surrounding the need for intimacy coordinators in filmmaking. The quote by Rahul Kohli resonates profoundly with me, as it mirrors my own beliefs about the industry’s responsibility towards its artists.

After the initial uproar surrounding Blake Lively’s lawsuit subsides, fans have shifted their attention away from the specifics of her claims and towards the broader film industry. Particularly, discussions revolve around the way sex scenes are filmed in Hollywood and the irregular application of intimacy coordinators. In this ongoing debate, a quote from actor Rahul Kohli (known for his work on iZombie) has gained widespread attention due to its clarity in explaining the situation and where changes should be made within production.

Initially, a thought-provoking statement was shared as an Instagram story by the actor. A enthusiastic fan captured this post and uploaded it to X (originally known as Twitter). Within moments, it started circulating widely, with over 30,000 likes on the most widely shared version. In his article, Kohli advocates for making intimacy coordinators compulsory in the same manner that stunt coordinators are required. He questions why actresses are asked if they desire an intimacy coordinator, as it shifts the responsibility and emotional strain onto them. For a comprehensive view of his perspective, you can read the entire quote provided below…

In the past few occasions, it’s occurred to me more than once, and now seems like the right moment to discuss: Instead of asking performers or directors if they prefer to have an intimacy coordinator on set during intimate scenes, it should simply be a standard practice by now. Just as we don’t ask if we’d like a stunt coordinator for safety reasons and guidance, the same should apply here. It shouldn’t be up to the performers to decide, as it often falls on actresses with questions like “I’m fine without one, aren’t you?” placing them in an uncomfortable position of either agreeing or voicing their concerns. That’s not right. If you want intimate scenes in your production, then an intimacy coordinator should be hired. Anyone who has reservations about working with one is a cause for concern.

Prior to Blake Lively’s unexpected court filing, there had been much discussion about the role of intimacy coordinators on the set of “It Ends With Us“. Both Lively and director Justin Baldoni, who is at the center of some accusations in her lawsuit, mentioned the use of intimacy coordinators during their respective interviews. However, it’s not entirely clear when these discussions occurred. Baldoni stated in an interview with Harper Bazaar that he knew from the start that “It Ends With Us” required intimacy coordinators.

A crucial aspect of Lively’s accusations revolves around filming an unsupervised birthing scene, which Baldoni is said to have pressured her into without a hospital gown. Additionally, another producer reportedly displayed a video of his wife giving birth in the nude. Furthermore, there were claims that the set was not closed during nude scenes and that someone entered Lively’s trailer while she was naked. Eventually, it appears that the studio intervened, and Lively is said to have requested an intimacy coordinator for all future scenes involving nudity or intimate contact.

Over the past few years, intimacy coordinators have grown increasingly common in the entertainment industry. Actors have openly shared their thoughts on this topic, and even cast members from Saturday Night Live have discussed whether they should be utilized in comedic sketches. While not yet an industry-wide requirement, the high-profile nature of this lawsuit may lead to a shift in this stance.

Through his legal representative, Justin Baldoni has refuted the accusations leveled against him. Given that there are several ongoing lawsuits, it may take months or possibly years for the judicial process to unfold. Therefore, expect frequent updates on this topic in the interim.

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2024-12-25 17:37