For the last four years Ita O'Brien has been developing best practice when working with intimacy, scenes with sexual content, and nudity in film, TV, and theatre. The industry currently has no established guidelines or accepted process. Under-rehearsed or unsafe intimate scenes do not serve the production or keep the participants safe. There are countless examples of poor practice leaving actors with lasting damage and often compromising the production. Ita is currently working to obtain industry adoption of the 'Intimacy on Set' guidelines. 

She has also developed workshops and training for:

• Actors & Directors
• Directors & Producers
• Movement Directors & Intimacy Coordinators

If you are interested in participating in one of these workshops please use the contact form at the bottom of this page. For all other inquiries, please contact Ita through her agent.

These guidelines are not a constraint, but an improvement on current practice. They free the actor to embody the character whilst delivering repeatable and safe scenes that facilitate the Director's vision. 

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Coverage in the media for Ita's work on Intimacy on Set:

As an ‘intimacy coordinator’, Ita O’Brien coaches stage and screen productions through the protocols of contact between actors
- The Guardian (13 November 2018)

Ita O’Brien Is Transforming the Way Film, TV, and Theater Handle Sex Scenes
- Women and Hollywood (12 November 2018)

“Historically, lesbian sex scenes have predominantly been directed by men, and have a male gaze, the male fantasy of ‘girl on girl action’, much like that found in pornography,” says Ita O’Brien
- The Guardian (10 August 2018)

It’s mid-afternoon at Camden’s New Diorama Theatre and two actresses are practising a sex scene — without touching.
- Evening Standard (2 May 2018)

Filming sex scenes in front of a crew of sound technicians, gaffers and cinematographers has never been easy. In fact, most actors seem to have a bad sex scene war story. 
- Independent.ie (30 April 2018)

A session with intimacy director Ita O’Brien, on working responsibly on sexual scenes emphasised how they should be based on clear principles of agreement and consent, and talked about Sex Scenes on Set, her code of practice for theatre, film and TV.
​- The Irish Times (26 March 2018)

Marie-Louise Muir presents a left-of-centre look at the worlds of arts and culture
- The Arts Show BBC Radio Ulster (20 Feb 2018)

For many actors, sex scenes can be fraught with embarrassment, uncertainty, and the downright unwanted, but intimacy director Ita O’Brien wants to change that.
- Backstage (25 January 2018)

Ita O’Brien, a movement director, and her agents at Carey Dodd Associates have drawn up a set of guidelines to protect actors from the moment they audition through rehearsals to being on set.
- i News (24 November 2017)

Actors should be trained for sex scenes just as carefully as they are for on-stage sword fighting, it has been claimed, amid a campaign for theatres to protect actors during intimate performances.
- The Telegraph (20 November 2017)

Fight directors coordinate fight scenes in theatre, and choreographers assist with movement sequences. Why shouldn't sex scenes also be carefully blocked and defined?
- Performing Arts Hub (11 November 2018)

Role of the Intimacy Coordinator
- World at One BBC Radio4 (30 October 2018)

“’Cause it’s hard work, a lot harder than violence. You know, everyone’s an old pro about simulating violence. But I don’t think I’m ever going to work without an intimacy coordinator again,” he said.
- Irish Examiner (30 October 2018)

How to Prepare Safely for Intimate Scenes
- Spotlight (July 2018)

Ita O'Brien, Intimacy Director, talks about her role in overseeing scenes of a sexual nature in film and theatre.
- Arena RTE Radio 1 (18 April 2018)

"It's actually allowing all of that to happen but in a safe way that allows for authentic, believable, beautiful, juicy, passionate sex scenes."
- BBC News (19 February 2018)

Equity is to consider new guidelines for simulated sex on screen and stage which could ban acts such as sharing saliva or using tongues during kisses.
- Daily Mail (18 February 2018)

For the last four years, WFTV Member and Movement and Intimacy Director, Ita O’Brien (pictured) has been developing best practice when working with intimacy, scenes with sexual content, and nudity in film, TV, and theatre.
- WFTV (5 February 2018)

In the wake of the #MeToo scandal, the movie business is reviewing how sex scenes are directed. Chrissy Iley joins an “intimacy workshop” where actors can master the new code of close contact.
- The Sunday Times (14 January 2018)

The film, theatre and TV industries have problems with sexual abuse, but a new initiative seeks to make nude scenes a more comfortable experience for actors.
- The Guardian (21 November 2017)

Ita O’Brien, a movement director, thinks it is imperative that these intimate scenes are as carefully choreographed as stage fighting to ensure the safety and comfort of those involved.
- Yahoo Movies (21 November 2017)

Countless women have been mistreated ever since sex became common on our screens. Hollywood’s newfound awareness of intimacy choreography can help change things.
- Longreads (October 2018)

Exploring how sexualised or intimate scenes are created is a fascinating look behind the scenes of the dramas we watch.
- The Irish Times (10 June 2018)

Meet Ita O'Brien - the world's leading sex scene director
​- Independent.ie (5 May 2018)

Theatre workers eye code of behaviour after Gate controversy
- The Irish Times (9 March 2018)

Now the fallout from the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal has prompted Equity, the actors’ union, to consider detailed guidelines governing simulated sex on screen and stage.
- Sunday Times (18 Feb 2018)

Sex Scenes & BAFTA
- Peter Allen & Caroline Barker BBC Radio 5 Live (18 Feb 2018)

In a move partly inspired by the #MeToo movement, actor Elle McAlpine participated in a Sex Scenes on Set workshop, run by movement coach Ita O'Brien and agents Carey Dodd Associates, that helped her prepare for taking part in sex scenes.
- Sky News (1 February 2018)

Queens of Soul with Mica Paris, sex scene choreographer Ita O'Brien on our weekly feature ' Wadda You Know It's On The Show'.
- Arts Show with Anneka Rice BBC Radio 2 (1 February 2018) 

Downsizing, filming sex scenes and a satire on ceramics
- Front Row BBC Radio 4 (22 January 2018)

"Invariably whenever there isn't transparency, whenever everybody isn't in agreement and knows what's going on, that's when actors are left vulnerable."
- NZ Herald (22 November 2017)

A set of guidelines intended to prevent actors from being exploited during sex scenes has been drawn up, as part of a campaign also calling on the theatre industry to employ dedicated staff to oversee sexual content in shows.
- The Stage (20 November 2017)

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