like many sexually repressed adolescent girls, i had always had an awkward relationship with sex scenes. i was equally terrified of them as i was titillated.
as an adult, i have unabashedly and repeatedly expressed my love and curiosity for representations of sex, sexuality and intimacy on screen! what makes a sex scene hot? why does representing sexual relationships on screen matter? do actors ever get turned on when they simulate sex on screen?!
in part I of this episode, i take all my questions about sex scenes, intimacy and representation to intimacy coordinator/director, charlie frost!
charlie frost (he/they) is an intimacy coordinator and intimacy director for stage and film. their most recent projects include: Contact Theatre's "Spring Awakening", "No Love Lost" with Lucky Goat Productions, and "A Little Bit Pregnant" with Paper Dog Productions . while charlie specialises in choreographing scenes of sex and intimacy, a large part of their work also includes ensuring the actors involved are physically and emotionally safe throughout production.
beyond the industry, we dive into how their work not only enhances the authenticity of on-screen relationships but also influences how we approach physical and emotional intimacy in the real world. listen as charlie shares their insights on what makes a sex scene powerful, how they navigate the complexities of intimacy on set, and the broader implications of their work for both entertainment and everyday life.
*note: charlie and i had talked for so long that i ended up splitting this episode into two parts! this is part 1 of our conversation.
Show links:
charlie has been trained by incredible educators and creatives at Principal Intimacy Professionals, Theatrical Intimacy Education and more. Check out the below websites if you're interested in exploring the work of intimacy coordination and direction.
https://www.theatricalintimacyed.com/
https://www.principalintimacy.com/
https://www.journalcbp.com/
https://mxcmorgan.com/
https://www.meaganschroeder.com/
you can also follow charlie frost on Instagram @charliefrost to get connected!
follow joanne on Instagram at @joannelovesbeets to continue to the conversation, suggest interview guests, or just to say hi :) see you next ep!
