Continuing our commitment to providing safe workplaces in the Victorian screen industry, Film Victoria is proud to be supporting the Equity Foundation to present a series of workshops and seminars with the world’s leading intimacy coordinator, Ita O’Brien.
Taking place this November and December across Australia and New Zealand, the events are open to actors, directors, crew and creatives from both the stage and screen industries, and will provide a unique opportunity to learn Ita’s best practice approaches to intimacy, simulated sex scenes and nudity, implementing her Intimacy On Set Guidelines.
In Victoria, a number of activities will take place between 27 and 30 November, as detailed below. All of the following workshops and events are offered free of charge, and screen practitioners are encouraged to apply. Numbers are strictly limited, and participants will be selected by Ita and an industry judging panel.
These events are presented by the Equity Foundation in Partnership with Creative Victoria, Film Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne and the Wellbeing Collective.
During this three-hour seminar, Ita will introduce participants to best practice approaches to intimacy, simulated sex scenes and nudity. It will also be an opportunity to discuss how intimacy affects each role on a production, and how screen practitioners can work together to create a safe space. The seminar includes group discussions, an introduction to Ita’s Intimacy on Set Guidelines and the role of an intimacy coordinator.
When: 1.00 – 4.00 pm, 27 November
Where: Art Centre Melbourne
Who: Open to industry professionals from both the stage and screen industries. From the screen industry, this includes producers, director, actors, costume designer/supervisor, wardrobe, make-up artists, director of photography, 1st assistant director, 2nd assistant director, 3rd assistant director, and sound crew et al. This event is capped at 75 participants.
With theatre, TV, and film demanding ever more nudity and sexual content, how do actors and directors work to serve the production, and support the actor? In this six-hour workshop, 10 actors and five directors/movement directors will become familiar with Ita’s approach to Intimacy on Set and will have the opportunity to workshop scenes in a controlled environment. Ita will spend time with each participant workshopping approaches to intimacy.
When: 28 November
Where: Arts Centre Melbourne
Who: This workshop is for screen actors and directors, and has capacity for 15 participants. (The workshop will also run on 29 November for the stage industry).
This six hour workshop is for those looking to work as an intimacy director/coordinator in the future. It will be an initial introduction to the role and what it requires. Participants will learn skills and tools to facilitate intimate work in theatre and film between directors and actors, and will examine how to negotiate with productions when approaching this work.
When: 30 November
Where: Arts Centre Melbourne
Who: Potential intimacy coordinators from stage and screen. It is advisable for applicants to have attended the Intimacy on Set/Stage Workshop or the Intimacy on Set/Stage Seminar prior to coming on this workshop. This session is capped at 10 participants.
Find out more about all of the events on the Equity Foundation website.