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NEW MEXICO FILM OFFICE

Film Las Cruces: New intimacy coordinator program offers new film industry opportunity

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The New Mexico Film Office (NMFO) has announced a new intimacy coordinator (IC) training program aimed at increasing safety on film and television sets in New Mexico, according to a news release.

NMFO is partnering with the Intimacy Professionals Association (IPA) Intimacy Coordinator Training Program on the new initiative to prepare individuals in New Mexico’s film and television industry to work as intimacy coordinators in full-length feature film and television productions upon completion of the training.

ICs “are a fairly new category of industry professionals who work on film and television productions to create a safer environment on set for actors performing in scenes involving physical touch, nudity, intimacy and simulated sex, while also helping the director to achieve their creative vision,” the news release said

“The film industry is always evolving to meet the challenges of the world we live in,” said Las Cruces/Doña Ana County Film Office Director Don Gray. “Creating an environment which is inclusive, respectful and comfortable should always be a part of our industry. This unique new role on a film set addresses those goals and creates opportunities for folks in the southern region to carve out a high paying job in the thriving media industry in New Mexico. Film Las Cruces highly recommends any local residents who are interested to take advantage of this new program. As always, if you have any questions about this or any other aspects of or opportunities in the industry, please don’t hesitate to contact us – we’re here to help,” Gray said.

The training program is a 16-week course of online training, as well as a weekend choreography workshop (pending COVID-19 restrictions), NMFO said. Students will learn the trade of intimacy coordination through a combination of lectures, assigned readings, experiential practices, homework assignments, quizzes and mentorship. The training cohort may include up to 12 participants. NMFO will cover 60 percent of tuition for up to three New Mexico residents who are accepted to the IC training program.

Topics covered in the training will include: What Is Intimacy?; Consent, Boundaries and Power Dynamics; Sexual Harassment; Race, Intimacy and Power; Closed Set Protocols; Working with Actors and Directors; Choreography and Movement Coaching; Set Etiquette; Sensitivity; Sexuality and Gender Literacy; How to Be an Advocate and Ally to LGBTQIA+ Cast and Crew; Trauma Awareness; Communication and Conflict Negotiation; Self-Care; and Intimacy in the Post-COVID World and Professional Development: Website, Resume, Press and Interviewing Skills.

“It’s extremely gratifying to see the entire industry recognizing the importance of intimacy coordinators through training programs like this, and it’s precisely the reason we created standards and protocols to provide a framework for the use of professional, skilled intimacy coordinators throughout the entire production process, said SAG AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. “Through this training program, NMFO’s dedication to their ever-expanding film and television production industry will help ensure safer and more collaborative sets.”

IC training will begin Feb. 7, 2021. A virtual information session will be held Dec. 15 with a panel discussing the training, career opportunities and importance of ICs in the film industry.

Anyone interested in attending the information session must register in advance at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIqd-6hqzgsHNLaslXRoiV8U-P_ogP71MbX. Applications can be found at www.intimacyprofessionalsassociation.com and are due by Jan. 10, 2021.

Contact Gray at 575-805-3456 or don@filmlascruces.com.

Visit www.filmlascruces.com and www.nmfilm.com.

New Mexico Film Office, Film Las Cruces

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