MISSY FIERRO INTIMACY COORDINATOR
A Mindful Approach to Intimacy On Set
Collaborative, Safe, Dynamic. Missy Fierro is a Film and Television Intimacy Coordinator working in Chicago and the greater Midwest. Supporting actors, directors and the production team to create safety and success in emotional, psychological and physically intimate scenes.
ABOUT MISSY
A Chicago native and DePaul University Alum, Missy Fierro (She/Her), has been in the entertainment industry for over a decade. Her passion for creating magical moments in film and television with her background in acting and stunts ultimately led her to Intimacy Coordinating. She believes in vivid story-telling in intimate and hyper-exposed content that still coincides with safety and industry best practices. Some of her work includes "Starry Night Rewind" by KNE Niching Xue (2021) and "School for Boys" by Leo Milano (2021).
Missy has trained with numerous industry leading institutions on intimate movement, storytelling and wellness advocacy including: IDC, NSIP, and SAG-AFTRA. She has a Mental Health First Aid Certification and takes a first hand approach on union standards as a member of SAG-AFTRA herself. When you hire Missy you are bringing on an intimate choreographer, advocate and resource.
WHAT IS AN INTIMACY COORDINATOR?
In short, an Intimacy Coordinator collaborates with the production team, director and actor(s) to create intimate scenes of simulated sex and nudity.
As an intimacy coordinator it is my job to advocate for the safety of the entire set and ensure the proper SAG-AFTRA protocols are being followed. We create an extra layer of communication for the cast and crew to mitigate any power dynamic that can happen. We also work closely with the production team on nudity riders, various department heads for modesty garments, barriers and prosthetics. As well as collaborating with the director and actor on choreography and movement to ensure comfortability while telling the story to the directors vision.
WHEN TO HIRE AN INTIMACY COORDINATOR?
When a stunt is required on set, a production hires a stunt coordinator to establish safety, plan out the choreography, educate and ultimately sign off on the given stunt.
Hiring an intimacy coordinator uses a similar thought process to detail out an intimate, nude, or hyper-exposed scene in a safe and efficient way.
Some scenarios in which you may want to hire an Intimacy Coordinator:
- The project involves physical intimate touch. (This can be anything from simulated sex, to minors having their first kiss.)
- The project involves nudity.
- There is potentially emotionally triggering scenes.
- Complex power dynamic on set (ie: actors have previous relationships, director is also an actor).
- Any content that makes you feel unsure may benefit from an intimacy coordinator.
WHAT I DO AS AN INTIMACY COORDINATOR
Each production is different and therefore my process is always a little different. This is my general structure to craft enthusiastic consent and safety in all scenes.
- Production meetings to breakdown intimate points
- Support a consensual audition process
- Risk assessment
- Initial choreography research and actor consent
- One-on-one actor intake meetings
- Nudity rider overview and consultation
- Meeting with department heads (wardrobe, SE, etc) to collaborate on modesty garments and intimacy barriers
- Create best open and closure practices
- Assist the director to choreograph intimate actions and movement as needed
- Check in with actors throughout filming to make sure they are still comfortable and feel safe
- Collaborate with director on new choreography options if actors consent changes
- Ensure a closed set/rehearsals to meet SAG-AFTRA standards
- Provide Mental Health First Aid as needed