Navigating Authentic Intimacy on Screen: A Conversation With Intimacy Professionals

Join us for an insightful discussion that delves into the evolving landscape of Intimacy Coordination in the Western Australian screen industry. As part of the Revelation Perth International Film Festival 2024, this discussion aims to foster dialogue, share best practices, and empower filmmakers, actors, and industry stakeholders.

Workshop Highlights:

• The Role of Intimacy Coordinators: Explore the critical role of intimacy coordinators in creating authentic and respectful intimate scenes on screen.
• Navigating Consent: Touch on effective communication techniques to ensure actors’ comfort and boundaries during intimate sequences.
• Industry Standards and Protocols: Discuss some of the latest guidelines and protocols for handling intimate moments in film and television.
• Case Studies and Practical Insights: Gain practical knowledge through real-world examples and interactive discussions from the experienced panellists.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow professionals, including directors, producers, screenwriters, and actors.

Meet the Panellists:

Catherine Moore:

A graduate of the VCA, Catherine is an actor, writer, acting coach and voice artist. She has worked extensively with Theatre companies across Australia. Her Film credits include Birthright, Runt, How To Please a Woman, H is for Happiness, Raising Thunder, Being Gavin, Julian, Celestial Avenue and Big Reef. TV credits include Invisible Boys, Itch, Drop Dead Weird, Janet King, The Kettering Incident, Home and Away, Moody Christmas, Crownies, Rake, Spirited and Chandon Pictures. Catherine is the voice of Janey Springs in the video-game Borderlands. As a writer, she co-wrote and performed in the critically acclaimed Unqualified and it’s sequel Still Unqualified for Ensemble Theatre Sydney. Her next commission, Fly Girl, will be performed at Ensemble in 2025. Acting Coach credits include Home and Away (resident 2014-2018), Runt, Blueback, H is for Happiness and Itch. She worked as an Intimacy Coordinator on Sweet As and Invisible Boys. Catherine currently lectures in Screen Acting at WAAPA.

Annie Murtagh-Monks: 

Annie trained as an actor at NIDA & RADA and has been an acting coach and casting director for over 30 years. She has cast 36 major screen productions in WA and been acting coach on 19 of these. In addition, Annie founded PAC Screen Workshops for actors and filmmakers in 1993 which continue today as well as lecturing screen acting at WAAPA annually since 1996. Annie undertook training in intimacy coordination during 2019 & 2020 with Ita O’Brien of “Intimacy on Set”. She used these skills in her role as acting coach on “The Heights” ABC TV 60 episode drama series. She has continued her training towards full international accreditation as an Intimacy Coordinator for Film and TV with US based "Intimacy Directors & Coordinators" (IDC) . She worked as Intimacy Coordinator on both the Australian feature film “How to Please a Woman” and also the 2 x 2 hour TV series Claremont Murders.

Gabrielle Metcalf:

Gabrielle Metcalf is a trained Intimacy director/coordinator and runs workshops for actors and directors on consent-based processes for stage and screen. Over the past 6 years she has worked on over 50 stage and film productions as an Intimacy director/coordinator. Most recently she has worked on We Bury the Dead, The Twelve (Series 2) and Stubbornly Here. She also lectures in acting and directing at WAAPA.

For more information on intimacy guidelines in Australia, please see the link to the MEAA's Intimacy Guidelines below:

https://www.meaa.org/campaigns/intimacy-guidelines/

Let’s create a safer, more respectful screen industry together. Join us for this essential conversation on intimacy coordination!

This event is proudly supported by Women in Film and TV Australia. WIFT exists to empower, advocate for, and connect women and non-binary screen professionals in Australia. Members receive exclusive access to programs, events, and networking opportunities to support their career in the screen industry. For more information about becoming a member, visit: https://www.wiftaustralia.org.au/become-a-member