Two intimacy coordinators break down the intimacy scenes in Brokeback Mountain, from the tent scene to what the choreography leaves unsaid.

Brokeback Mountain changed queer representation forever. It also left audiences with a lot of questions about how these scenes actually function.

From the infamous first tent scene to the long-awaited reunion, Ariel and Morgan break down what's working, what's not, and why these moments feel so tense without ever fully landing.

In this episode:

• The reality of prep, lubrication, and pacing for anal penetration
• How tension overtakes intimacy and why that leaves scenes feeling incomplete
• The difference between awkwardness that serves the story vs awkwardness from unclear choreography
• How the intimacy goes from zero to 100 and stays there

Plus: beans, spit logistics, near broken noses, and a very real conversation about how an intimacy coordinator would approach these scenes today.

A storyteller's lens on queer cinema

Ariel and Morgan zoom out to talk about Brokeback Mountain's massive cultural impact, the historical context it exists in, and why representation matters, even when the intimacy itself has room for growth.

Justice for lube. That's all they're saying.

Watch along timestamps:

• Tent scene: 27:30
• Rasslin' scene: 32:51
• Reunion scene: 1:03:07

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Credits

Brokeback Mountain (2005) | Director: Ang Lee | Focus Features

Hashtags

#BrokebackMountain #AngLee #IntimacyCoordinator #QueerCinema #FilmBreakdown

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Two intimacy coordinators break down the painfully awkward sex and puberty scenes in PEN15 and how the show films intimacy with adult actors playing kids.

PEN15 (Season 1, Episode 3: "Ojichan") is one of the most honest depictions of first arousal ever put on screen.

From the very first moment of "wait... what is happening to my body?" to the full spiral of can't-stop-won't-stop self-discovery, this episode captures the chaos, confusion, and intensity of discovering desire with absolutely no roadmap.

In this episode:

• The painfully accurate portrayal of first arousal: awkward, obsessive, and completely all-consuming
• Why casting adult actors as teens allows the show to explore this safely without crossing ethical lines
• How PEN15 captures the feeling of "I must be the only one experiencing this"
• How shame, secrecy, and silence around sex education shape those early experiences

A masterclass in storytelling through cringe

It's cringey. It's deeply familiar. And it turns one of the most private human experiences into comedy gold. We break down why this episode works and how it handles adolescent sexuality with both honesty and humor.

Watch along timestamps:

• Maya's first discovery: 0:41
• Classroom montage: 4:14
• The Closet/Walkman scene: 9:22

Yes, Ariel mispronounced Maya Erskine's last name. We know. We're sorry. We love her.

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Credits

PEN15 (Season 1, Episode 3: "Ojichan") | Creators: Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle, Sam Zvibleman | Hulu (2019)

Hashtags

#PEN15 #MayaErskine #AnnaKonkle #IntimacyCoordinator #TVBreakdown

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Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz

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For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.

Two intimacy coordinators break down the unhinged sex scenes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and what makes them work (or not).

The Buffy reboot isn't happening. It's devastating. To soothe their wounds, Ariel and Morgan talk about Buffy and Spike in season 6 — where things are darker, messier, and include a whole lot more property damage.

From literally breaking a house down during sex to invisible hookups to whatever is happening on that balcony at The Bronze, they have notes.

In this episode:

• The iconic Buffy/Spike "Smashed" scene: why it's so hot and makes zero sense
• How the show tries to portray Buffy's rock bottom through sex (and where it succeeds vs. fails)
• The invisibility scene as a surprisingly perfect example of how simulated sex actually works on set
• Why the show keeps saying Buffy and Spike are kinky while showing the most vanilla execution imaginable
• The difference between toxic intimacy and BDSM

Plus: pants continuity crimes, mystery penetration logistics, and a full breakdown of Ariel and Morgan's personal histories with Spuffy.

A masterclass in storytelling through chaos

Ariel and Morgan break down why these scenes still resonate, where they fall short, and what they reveal about Buffy's emotional state. It's a behind the scenes look at one of TV's most iconic toxic relationships.

Watch along timestamps:

• "Smashed" (House scene): 39:39
• "Gone" (Invisibility scene): 28:08
• "Dead Things" (Balcony scene): 20:25

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Credits

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Season 6) | Created by Joss Whedon | 20th Century Fox Television

Hashtags

#BuffyTheVampireSlayer #SpikeAndBuffy #IntimacyCoordinator #TVBreakdown #BuffyAnalysis

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Two intimacy coordinators break down the sci-fi striptease and sex scenes in Barbarella and how 1968's most famous erotic sci-fi film staged them.

Full description:

Jane Fonda strips out of a spacesuit in zero gravity. Later, she defeats a villain using an orgasm machine. Yes. Really.

Barbarella (1968) is one of the most bizarre and brazen films of a generation. Ariel and Morgan break down how the cult classic uses erotic spectacle, camp, and absurdity to create scenes that are wildly objectifying and oddly revolutionary for their time.

In this episode:

• How the zero-gravity striptease opening uses choreography, framing, and floating credits to tease and shock the audience
• Why the "Excessive Machine" scene was extremely bold for mainstream cinema in 1968
• The weaponization of pleasure
• Why early Hollywood treated sex as visual spectacle first and human experience second

A filmmaker's lens on 1960s sci-fi spectacle

Ariel and Morgan break down what Barbarella got right, what it got wrong, and why it's still iconic. It's campy. It's chaotic. And it's worth studying through an intimacy coordinator's lens.

Watch along timestamps:

• Opening striptease: 0:00
• Excessive Machine scene: 1:15:00

Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes.

Credits

Barbarella (1968) | Director: Roger Vadim | Paramount Pictures

Hashtags

#Barbarella #JaneFonda #IntimacyCoordinator #CultClassic #SciFiMovies

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Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz

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Two intimacy coordinators are joined by Brooke M. Haney to break down the intimacy and sex scenes in Booksmart.

Olivia Wilde's directorial debut proves awkward queer intimacy doesn't need to be polished to be powerful.

This one's about awkward first times. Skinny jeans. Bad geometry. Zero game.

In this episode:

• Why awkward intimacy can still be choreographed and is not an excuse to skip process
• The storytelling power of wardrobe choices, body language, and the messy logistics of skinny jeans and Converses
• Why representation of imperfect queer intimacy matters when so many people learn about sex from movies
• The real production challenges of filming intimacy on beaches, in pools, and under rapidly disappearing sunlight

A storyteller's lens on queer intimacy

Ariel and Morgan get into shop talk: kit items, choreography language, and what it actually takes to make awkward intimacy read as tender rather than cringe.

Guest: Brooke M. Haney

• Buy her book: A History of Intimacy Professionals in Entertainment
• Buy her book: The Intimacy Coordinator's Guidebook
• Listen to Ariel and Morgan guest on the podcast Happier in Hollywood

Watch along timestamps:

• Pool sequence: 1:04:00
• Bathroom hookup scene: 1:14:42 – 1:18:00

Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes.

Credits

Booksmart (2019) | Director: Olivia Wilde | Annapurna Pictures / Gloria Sanchez Productions

Hashtags

#Booksmart #IntimacyCoordinator #queerrepresentation #queerintimacy #FilmBreakdown

Support the show

Connect & Support the Show
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Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz

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Stay real, Fakers.

For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.

Two intimacy coordinators break down the sex scenes in Insecure and why the show's intimacy has real range.

Morgan introduces Ariel (who has never seen the show) to two wildly different intimacy moments from Season 4: one jealousy-fueled nightmare fantasy and one slow-burn reunion that might be one of the most emotionally satisfying TV hookups ever.

In this episode:

• How a comedic sex scene can be intentionally not realistic — and why it works
• The universality of the phrase, "pop the tags"
• The crackling eye contact, breath work, and micro-choices that make Issa and Lawrence's reunion explode
• Tender Black love on screen and why we don't see enough of it
• The position change that tells you exactly who's in control

A masterclass in storytelling through intimacy

This episode is funny, nerdy, and unexpectedly emotional. It's a perfect example of how a show can pull off slapstick fantasy and deeply romantic intimacy in the same breath. We also discuss the role of the intimacy coordinator on set and they may have approached the show's intimate moments.

Watch along timestamps:

• Season 4, Episode 4 (Lowkey Feelin' Myself): 11:53
• Season 4, Episode 8 (Lowkey Happy): 25:17

Subscribe for weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes.

Credits

Insecure (Season 4) | Creators: Issa Rae, Larry Wilmore | HBO

Hashtags

#InsecureHBO #IssaRae #IntimacyCoordinator #TVBreakdown #BlackLove

Support the show

Connect & Support the Show
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Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz

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Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us.

Stay real, Fakers.

For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.

Two intimacy coordinators are joined by Heated Rivalry's intimacy coordinator Chala Hunter to break down the show's queer sex scenes, the craft behind them, and finding joy in the work.

From her early days of learning the job during #MeToo to stepping onto a set packed with choreography and high emotional stakes, Chala pulls back the curtain on what it takes to build intimacy that feels grounded, safe, and electric.

In this episode:

• How she found her way into intimacy coordination when the field was still being defined
• Why she prioritizes trust, play, and actor agency over rigid choreography
• How Heated Rivalry balanced tenderness, heat, and authenticity without losing its heart
• Why representation doesn't have to feel "authentic to everyone" to still be meaningful
• What happens when three intimacy coordinators get together and the nerding starts before the mics are even warm

A behind the scenes look at the craft

It's insightful, funny, incredibly revealing, and a rare behind the scenes look at the craft from someone doing the work at the highest level. This one feels like a milestone episode.

Watch along timestamps:

• Episode 4 (Rose): 21:07 – 24:29
• Episode 6 (The Cottage): 20:15 – 22:37 and 32:34 – 33:27

Subscribe for weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes.

Credits

Heated Rivalry | Director: Jacob Tierney | Crave

Hashtags

#HeatedRivalry #IlyaRosanov #IntimacyCoordinator #TVBreakdown #Hollanov

Support the show

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Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz

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Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us.

Stay real, Fakers.

For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.

Two intimacy coordinators break down the sex scenes in She's Gotta Have It and why the show feels like a religious experience.

Full description:

Some shows open quietly. Season 2 of She's Gotta Have It opens with a bang — literally.

Ariel and Morgan break down the iconic simulated sex montage from Season 2, Episode 1, focusing on how lighting, space, and who's in control radically reshape how intimacy is experienced and understood onscreen.

In this episode:

• How Spike Lee uses daylight vs candlelight to reflect different emotional states
• Why this scene feels devotional rather than voyeuristic
• How Nola's relationship with Opal marks a shift from exploration to embodiment
• How choreography, hair, and stillness do as much storytelling as movement
• Why this scene quietly sets a new bar for how queer Black intimacy is filmed on television

A filmmaker's lens on queer intimacy

Ariel and Morgan also discuss the evolution from the 1986 film to the Netflix series, what it means to reclaim Nola Darling's story through a more expansive lens, and why sexually liberated queer Black women are still so rarely given this level of care onscreen.

It's reverent, gorgeous, deeply nerdy, and a reminder that intimacy doesn't have to escalate to be electric.

Watch along timestamps:

• TV show (Season 2, Episode 1): 1:22:10 – 1:29:34
• Movie (1986 original): 39:27 – 40:27

Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes.

Credits

She's Gotta Have It (Season 2, Episode 1: "#IMFEELINGMYFEELINGS") | Director: Spike Lee | Netflix (2019)

She's Gotta Have It (1986) | Director: Spike Lee | 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks

Hashtags

#SheGottaHaveIt #SpikeLee #QueerIntimacy #IntimacyCoordinator #Netflix

Support the show

Connect & Support the Show
Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube.
Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes.
Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod
Website: FakingItThePod.com
Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz

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Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us.

Stay real, Fakers.

For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.

Two intimacy coordinators break down the sapphic sex scenes in The Handmaiden and how the film rewrites queer intimacy on screen.

This episode is a love letter to immaculate choreography, devastating eye contact, and enough sapphic tension to power a small city.

Ariel and Morgan dive into the two iconic intimacy scenes from Park Chan-wook's The Handmaiden — scenes so explicit, so intentional, and so beautifully constructed that they still feel radical nearly a decade later.

In this episode:

• How the film uses restraint, pacing, and POV to build erotic tension
• Why a simple hand-grip deserves its own IMDb credit
• How sapphic sex is framed as joy, discovery, and mutual power, not performance
• Why this might be one of the best examples of the female gaze in modern cinema

A masterclass in storytelling through intimacy

Ariel and Morgan also unpack the behind-the-scenes approach to filming the intimacy, the deliberate removal of the male gaze, and why The Handmaiden remains a gold standard for what intimate storytelling can look like when trust and intention lead the way.

It's sexy, funny, deeply thoughtful, and a reminder that sometimes the most radical thing a movie can do is let women actually enjoy each other.

Watch along timestamps:

• First scene: 41:47 – 46:56
• Second scene: 1:39:53 – 1:44:00

Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes.

Credits

The Handmaiden (2016) | Director: Park Chan-wook | Moho Film / Yong Film

Hashtags

#TheHandmaiden #ParkChanwook #SapphicCinema #FemaleGaze #IntimacyCoordinator

Support the show

Connect & Support the Show
Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube.
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Website: FakingItThePod.com
Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz

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Stay real, Fakers.

For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.

Two intimacy coordinators break down the sex scenes in Fifty Shades of Grey and explain what the film gets wrong about BDSM.

Ariel and Morgan are kicking off the new year by breaking down the infamous first Red Room scene. What was supposed to be mainstream BDSM became basically vanilla, questionable choreography, and music doing the heavy lifting.

In this episode:

• Why the Red Room reads more like spectacle than negotiated intimacy
• How the film confuses dominance with control and intensity with compatibility
• How music, montage, and production design work overtime to create heat that isn't really there
• What a more grounded, informed, and sexier version of this scene could have looked like
• Why Christian Grey is a disappointing Dom and lover

A filmmaker's lens on consent and power dynamics

This episode isn't about kink-shaming. It's about unpacking why a movie that centered BDSM failed to show how consent, agency, and erotic tension actually function in practice. It's part critique, part craft analysis, and part public service announcement for anyone who thinks vibes count as communication.

Watch along timestamp:

• Red Room scene: 1:22:10 – 1:29:34

Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes.

Credits

Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) | Director: Sam Taylor-Johnson | Focus Features

Hashtags

#FiftyShadesOfGrey #BDSM #RedRoom #IntimacyCoordinator #FilmBreakdown

Support the show

Connect & Support the Show
Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube.
Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes.
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Website: FakingItThePod.com
Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz

Subscribe & Review
Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us.

Stay real, Fakers.

For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.