The “intimacy coordinator” who worked on Normal People is helping launch the master’s degree in that subject

With the help of the ‘intimacy coordinator’, best known for her work on BBC’s ‘Normal People’, a master’s degree has been launched teaching students to become experts at directing sex scenes.

The two-year course provides in-depth knowledge of how to make actors comfortable and ensure all genitals are adequately covered during intimate shoots.

Intimacy coordinators were introduced in the wake of the MeToo movement to protect and guide actors during sex scenes.

Ita O’Brien has made her name as the intimacy coordinator for Normal People and is now helping to launch the new Masters course – which will cost over £15,000 in the first year.

She told the Times that there is “so much” to teach on the subject and that two people a day ask her if she wants to get into the industry.

With the help of the ‘intimacy coordinator’, best known for her work on BBC’s ‘Normal People’, a master’s degree has been launched teaching students to become experts at directing sex scenes

Ita O’Brien (pictured) has made her name as the intimacy coordinator for Normal People and is now leading the new master’s degree – which will cost over £15,000 in the first year

Applications for the Master of Fine Arts at Mountview Academy of Theater Arts in Peckham, accredited by the University of East Anglia, open tomorrow.

Students will learn about the power dynamics between performers and producers, consent and boundaries, and the best way to use “modest garments” to cover an actor’s privates.

Speaking to The Times, O’Brien said: “It’s a really complex role and it’s really important that there’s a path that you can trust in the industry.

“I would like to take on the role of intimacy coordinator and enforcement of intimacy guidelines [to be] mandatory.’

The coordinator, who also worked on It’s A Sin and Lady Chatterly’s Lover, said she wants to make sure the standards for the role are maintained – and not lowered by self-proclaimed experts.

She also defended the role against criticism from actors who said it removed spontaneity from the scenes.

In February, Sir Ian McKellen slammed “irrelevant” jobs like intimacy coordinators for ruining the “purity” of modern theater.

The legendary actor said there are too many people “standing in the way” of performers these days.

He singled out intimacy coordinators and suggested directors could do the job just as well.

Speaking to The Times, O’Brien said: “It’s a really complex role and it’s really important that there’s a path that you can trust in the industry

While Dame Emma Thompson called intimacy coordinators “absolutely essential” following McKellen’s comments.

Speaking to Andrew Marr on LBC, Dame Emma, ​​63, dismissed Sir Ian’s remarks, saying: “It’s all very well, if you’re a guy it’s a different kind of thing.

“I think if you’re a young woman on a set that’s mostly male, the crew will be 90 percent male and the females won’t be on set with you because we generally don’t have par at all Movie sets it’s just men.

“And that’s a very uncomfortable position for a young woman starting out in the industry, but it’s absolutely vital that someone is there to protect her. Absolutely necessary.

Sean Bean said intimacy professionals can “spoil” the spontaneity of sex scenes.

While other female members of the industry, including Rachel Zegler, criticized Bean’s comments.

Dame Emma said: “Not to say they’re going to be in there all the time to organize your breasts, it’s that they can be there if you feel like there’s a position where you’re not quite comfortable with it, you know, your asshole is wagging in the air and you just think I’m not quite comfortable…”

Gillian Anderson and Bridgerton star Rege-Jean Page have also previously praised intimacy coordinators for their work in on-screen productions.

While Daryl McCormack revealed how he and co-star Dame Emma prepared for the racy sex scenes in their latest movie Good Luck To You Leo Grande.

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk