How Intimacy Coordinators Keep Actors Safe in Vertical Video Productions
Behind the scenes with Karie Donovan
The world of vertical video production moves fast, sometimes too fast to prioritize what matters most: the safety and comfort of actors in intimate scenes. In a recent episode of “Let’s Talk About Verticals,” Michaela Bergmann spoke to intimacy coordinator Karie Donovan. She pulled back the curtain on her crucial role in these high-speed productions.
One of the more troubling gaps in vertical production is the lack of required intimacy coordinators for non-union films. While SAG-AFTRA mandates this protection, indie and vertical productions often skip it entirely, leaving actors without essential support. Karie emphasizes that the emotional and mental health aspects of her job often matter more than physical safety, especially when actors face triggering content like sexual assault scenes or traumatic storylines.
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