Last week, the Swedish Film & TV Producers Association, the Swedish Union for Performing Arts and Film, and production and distribution company SF Studios instigated a joint initiative to develop industry-wide guidelines for filming intimate scenes.

“Films and TV series have always portrayed different forms of intimacy, but until now, Sweden has lacked guidelines for how to film these scenes without risking a scenario where co-workers on a production set are put in uncomfortable and inappropriate situations. Therefore, we are proud to present the first Swedish guidelines for how these scenes can be filmed in a safe and secure way for everyone involved. They are an important tool for improving the working environment in film and TV productions,” explained Simon Norrthon, of the Swedish Union for Performing Arts and Film.

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In detail, the guidelines aim to provide support for production outfits as well as raising the level of competence and increasing awareness of key functions, such as directors, DoPs, costume designers, actors and others involved in filming intimate scenes. The long-term ambition is for it to be as common to involve an intimacy coordinator or person with similar competence in productions with intimate scenes as it is to involve a stunt coordinator when filming stunt and action scenes today. The main goal is to film intimate scenes “in a professional, risk-free and respectful way”.

Moreover, the guidelines have been developed together with a broad reference group consisting of professional film workers, actors, directors and producers. In addition, two of Sweden's intimacy coordinators have been involved as advisors in the process.

“We have many examples, both in Sweden and internationally, of how both the result becomes better and the filming process becomes safer when you bring in experts who can support the production when shooting intimate scenes. The guidelines will serve as great support for actors, film workers and production companies, and will help to further professionalise the industry,” said Jan Blomgren, chairman of the Swedish Film & TV Producers Association’s film and drama section.

“The need for guidelines for intimate scenes has become clearer in recent years, given the risk of inappropriate behaviour. We are convinced that these guidelines will be an important tool for improving the working environment on set and making production companies and our industry more sustainable over time,” added Kristina Linglöf, EVP HR and Operations at SF Studios.

The 12-page document zooms in on both so-called “sexually charged scenes” (which could involve, for example, “simulated sex, kissing, masturbation, strip teases, dancing, sexual assault and nudity”) and “scenes that are not sexually charged”, which may still involve “intimate touching that we do not usually engage in with just anyone”, such as “massages, washing someone, dancing closely, scenes with scantily clad people or gynaecological examinations”. A number of topics are covered, including script breakdown, casting choices, rehearsals, contracts, risk assessment and consent.

The guidelines are available in both English and Swedish here.