RICKY GOLDMAN
INTIMACY COORDINATOR
RICKY GOLDMAN [he/him] is a New York City-based intimacy coordinator, certified by the Intimacy Professionals Association (SAG-AFTRA accredited), where he trained with industry leaders, Amanda Blumenthal and Rebecca Johannsen.
Ricky brings a nuanced understanding of the production ecosystem, with expertise rooted in nearly 20 years of screen & stage experience, on both sides of the line. His compassionate, insightful approach is grounded not only in his formal background as an actor and filmmaker (having graduated from the Acting Conservatory Program at Terry Knickerbocker Studio, and earning his B.A. in Film at Vassar College), but also in a life lived at a confluence of races, cultures, religions, and sexuality.
As a multidisciplinary artist, Ricky believes in the power of storytelling to mirror, uplift, and heal, and that centering care behind the scenes is integral to creating authentic, engaging, and ethical works.
Intimacy Coordinators (IC’s) are trained professionals who work to safeguard actors during scenes involving nudity, simulated sex, and other intimate moments, while helping directors realize their artistic vision.
The IC’s primary function is to:
advocate for actors’ well-being
facilitate transparent communication and consent among actors
liaise & negotiate between performers and the production
uphold & ensure alignment with industry principles and protocols
provide choreography and movement coaching (as needed)
WHAT IS AN
INTIMACY COORDINATOR?
An intimacy coordinator should be present if your production depicts:
nudity
simulated sex
kissing or touching of genitals or intimate areas
sexual violence
intimacy of minors
Even when not legally stipulated, depending on actors’ experience & comfort levels, it may also be beneficial to enlist the support of an IC for work involving: kissing, implied nudity, childbirth, medical procedures, or other sensitive themes at the intersection of race, gender, power, and/or sexuality.
The presence and expertise of an intimacy coordinator can help foster a more professional atmosphere and joyful experiences on set —and help prevent unpleasant ones. Utilizing IC’s can minimize risk and maximize ease, increase production efficiency, and (most importantly) cultivate an environment in which actors feel safe to do their best work.
As with all production department heads, the consulting and hiring of intimacy coordinators should occur during pre-production. This optimizes time for analysis, preparation, and promotes inter-department cohesion.
when do you need an intimacy coordinator?
