Actors' union creates new rules for movie sex scenes

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has announced new rules for actors performing sex scenes in movies, in order to protect performers from potential sexual harassment.

'Intimacy coordinators' will now be put in place by the union on sets, with specific rules set out for filmmakers to follow.

The coordinators will meet with directors and producers to specifically discuss scenes of a sexual nature.

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Per the new rules, they will 'reviews nudity riders, scene content, modesty garments and barriers with performers, directors and assistant directors'.

They will also ensure that closed set protocols are adhered to, and 'ensure continued consent throughout the filming of scene (both consent to what their likeness is seen performing, and how the action is achieved) while minimizing interference in production flow'.

“These protocols and guidelines will help to normalize and encourage the use of intimacy coordinators in productions, therefore ensuring the safety and security of SAG-AFTRA members while they work,” said the SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris in a statement.

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SAG-AFTRA intimacy coordinators will also be involved with filmmakers into the post-production stage of movie making too, to 'verify that a final cut is consistent with contractual obligations and riders'.

The union represents 160,000 actors working in the US.

In 2018, it introduced other codes of conduct to combat instances of potential harassment, including curtailing the practice of meetings being held in hotel rooms or homes.