Sean Bean’s recent Times interview went viral in a bad way. People had a lot of thoughts about Bean’s comments on “intimacy coordinators.” ICs are people on film and television productions who help organize and facilitate scenes involving nudity, love scenes or anything involving intimacy. ICs are there to look after the actors, help with the blocking and ensure that no one feels exploited or abused (or is in fact exploited and abused). In his weekend interview, Bean said that ICs “spoil the spontaneity” and “inhibit” him as an actor. He mentioned his costar in the Snowpiercer series, Lena Hall, saying “This one had a musical cabaret background, so she was up for anything.” Well, Lena Hall has some thoughts on Sean Bean’s comments that are worth covering in full. She tweeted out a thread about it, quote-tweeting Variety’s coverage of Bean’s interview.
I probably need to clarify some information in this random article since people are reaching out to me like “girl, are you ok?”
1. The infamous mango scene wasn’t a naked scene. I was “naked” (but not really naked) in the bathtub/suicide scene (which I guess is in that same moment) but Sean Bean was in the bathtub fully clothed in a tuxedo.
2. Just because I am in theater (not cabaret, but I do perform them every once in a while) does not mean that I am up for anything. Seriously does depend on the other actor, the scene we are about to do, the director, and whatever crew has to be in there to film it.
3. Sean is an awesome actor and made me feel not only comfortable but also like I had a true acting partner in those bizarre scenes. It was us against the world and we were gonna tell that story.
4. If I feel comfortable with my scene partner and with others in the room then I won’t need an intimacy coordinator. BUT if there is any part of me that is feeling weird, gross, over exposed etc… I will either challenge the necessity of the scene or I’ll want an IC.
5. I feel that when an actor has to do a scene that is extremely emotional (like committing suicide or being raped) there needs be some kind of mental health person available to talk to post shoot. Even though we are only acting we are still experiencing trauma.
6. I do feel that intimacy coordinators are a welcome addition to the set and think they could also help with the trauma experienced in other scenes. Sometimes you need em sometimes you don’t but every single person and scene and experience is different.
[From Lena Hall]
I love everything she has to say and I agree with her. She also managed to not throw Bean under the bus, and it’s clear that she respects him as a coworker and that in-person, he didn’t make her feel uncomfortable, nor is he Mr. Grab-Ass. What Lena is saying is that sure, she wants to do whatever she can to get the scene right, but that it’s not the same on every set and every situation and with every costar. I can’t even believe this is a debate within Hollywood, honestly. It sounds like actresses are relieved to have ICs there, across the board.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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