“I May Destroy You” Intimacy Coordinator Ita O’Brien Launches World’s First Intimacy Practice Degree

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“I May Destroy You” Intimacy Coordinator Ita O’Brien Launches World’s First Intimacy Practice Degree

Film and television sets have transformed in the wake of #MeToo, and Intimacy Coordinators have helped lead that charge by choreographing sex scenes, opening up communication between actors and directors, and educating about consent and boundaries — and ensuring that they are respected. Intimacy Coordinators have become a fixture in Hollywood, and demand has increased. Ita O’Brien, a trailblazer in the field whose credits include “I May Destroy You,” “Sex Education,” and “Normal People,” has founded “what is being called the ‘world’s first degree in intimacy practice,'” per Deadline. “O’Brien’s Intimacy on Set outfit has joined with the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts on the two-year course, which will teach best practice in the fast-growing world of intimacy co-ordination and help build and support professionals in the increasingly crucial role.”

“Intimacy practice is a young profession, and whilst awareness of its existence has grown considerably in the last few years, deep understanding of good practice is missing,” said O’Brien. “To ensure we develop a profession which can proudly grow with excellence we need to be able to train talented individuals who can navigate the both physical and emotional journey that each actor will go on, and can responsibly and safely deliver the intimate content as envisioned by the director, the storytelling, and each character.”

Created in partnership with the University of East Anglia, the course will launch in September.