Intimacy Coordination for Stage & Screen

'Working with Michele was a revelation, she was communicative, creative and thorough. The intimate scene we worked on has moments of tenderness and humour. Working closely with the actors, Michele helped them create a genuine physicality with honest emotions; the humour and tenderness ring true. I would work with her again in a heartbeat.'

- Martin Clark, Director, Raving

Michele is a fully certified Intimacy Coordinator for TV, Film and Theatre. She is passionate about storytelling and fascinated with human connection. She appreciates that physical intimacy between two people can say more than words and is a valuable tool when driving a narrative.

Michele works closely with Directors to understand their vision and collaborates with Actors to discuss consent and comfort levels when approaching scenes of an intimate nature. She believes that boundaries are not barriers, but springboards to find new creative ways to tell the same story beat.

Her work as an Intimacy Coordinator helps to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable and empowered to produce their best work.

‘Michele’s insight, suggestions and calming presence are invaluable. What an asset she is to any crew, due to her diverse range of experience both in front and behind the camera.  As an exec.you want a happy relaxed cast who feel heard and respected and  a director and crew who feel supported.’

- Laura Harvey, Executive Producer, Hogmanay

What is Intimacy Coordination?

Intimacy coordination focuses on the respectful depiction of intimate scenes in film, television and theatre. Working closely with Directors, Actors and production teams, it ensures that any action that requires nudity, partial nudity, kissing, simulated sex, simulated sexual assault, non-consensual action, medical scenes, childbirth, bodily functions and any other hyper-exposed moments are approached with sensitivity and care, allowing the creativity to be consensual and safe for all .

The Intimacy Coordinator is a liaison between the relevant departments involved in these scenes, from pre to post-production. They act as an advocate for the performers, addressing their boundaries and expectations. The Intimacy Coordinator can break down scripts, provide choreography, advise on modesty garments and create risk assessments and follow-up feedback forms.

They provide guidance on the emotional and physical aspects of intimacy, ensuring that scenes serve the narrative purpose while safeguarding the well-being of the actors and crew involved in producing this work.

Photo Credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Michele trained at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and worked as an Actor and Voice-Over Artist for over 20 years before retraining as an Intimacy Coordinator at the National Film and Television School in Leeds. 

She brings a unique set of skills to the role and her previous acting experience means that she is attuned to how vulnerable a performer can feel when approaching intimate scenes and how carefully a crew must approach this type of content. Working on TV and Film sets for over two decades, Michele knows how the industry works and her passion and experience in Theatre has also facilitated a smooth transition from Actor to Intimacy Coordinator.  

Michele is committed to creating a safe, respectful working environment. Consent based practices, protocols and the latest professional guidelines are always at the forefront of her work. It’s Michele’s belief that the emotional and physical wellbeing of performers should never be compromised and she thrives when she’s part of a creative team that tells engaging stories in a safe space.

Physical intimacy should be as creative as any other part of the storytelling

‘Michele has a natural flair for the role of intimacy coordination and the ability to work with others and make them feel at ease. This was clearly something that came very easily to her. Michele has a deep commitment to the craft’

- Tommy Ross-Williams, Bectu IC Branch Chair

  • Hogmanay

    A short film written by and starring Laura Harvey, Peter Mullen, Siobhan Redmond and Ann Louise Ross. Produced by The Woven Thread and directed by Kirsty Hines-Mackay.

    A story with Scottish heritage at it’s heart, and the effects of one person's alcoholism on three generations of women. 

  • A View From the Bridge

    Jemima Levick’s directorial debut for Tron Theatre Company with Arthur Miller’s timeless classic about deep-rooted and dangerously illicit desire.

    Cast: Nicole Cooper, Holly Howden-Gilchrist, Michael Guest, Mark Colgate, Reuben Joseph and Nicholas Karimi

Get in touch…

hello@michelegallagher.co.uk
+44 7977 119851

Glasgow, Scotland