Interview with Ita O’Brien

Tel us about your role on I May Destroy You and what that entails. 
I was the Intimacy Coordinator, which facilitated putting in place the Intimacy On Set guidelines overseeing all the intimate scenes throughout the production. I ensure that at all times there is open conversation regarding the intimate scenes, agreement and consent of touch, simulated sexual content and nudity, and clear choreography providing a physical structure for the intimate content.

How did you get involved with the series?
I was asked to come on board as the show’s Intimacy Coordinator by the producers. I was brought in very early on to meet the co-director Sam Miller, and we had a great discussion about the role.

How much prep time goes into navigating each intimate scene for the series?
I was invited in to share the work with the heads of department from the whole production, including wardrobe, DOPs, Assistant Directors, sound, lighting and the directors Sam Miller and Michaela Coel. This is best practice, as it enables the whole of the production to understand what we bring as Intimacy Coordinators during the pre-production and rehearsal period.

We had rehearsals just focusing on the intimate scenes, a process which enables us to truly honour the writer’s vision and also share the structure of physical creation of the scene, helping the actors feel empowered and confident when going forward into the filming.

Do you research the different types of intimacy for each show you work on? How does the process differ on each project?
The process doesn’t differ, but the content of what I am researching is influenced entirely by the script itself. The characters, the story etc…

Research is key to the beginning of my journey with any project; it is about understanding the nuances of character, the period and place in which they are in and the cultural influences on those characters. In each scene, the focus is on serving the director’s vision as well as the character and storytelling, to make sure they are represented authentically.

Can you talk us through the process of working with each actor and how this differs depending on the nature of the scene?
Before the day on set, I will always check in with the director as to the vision of the scene, and ask the director to speak to the actors, so that they too, know the director’s vision. I will then contact the actor and check out any concerns regarding the content required so that there are no surprises on the day. I will then check in with the wardrobe department regarding modesty garments etc.

When it comes to the day on set, I will speak with the actors again in the morning, just to find out if there is anything that may have changed. The most important aspect is always open communication. Through that open communication we have established the boundaries, we have taken care of the actors, and everyone feels empowered. The focus can then be on delivering the different nature of each scene and character and serving the director’s vision.