Game of Keys producers advocate for early intimacy coordinator use
The producers of Prime Video’s new German series, 'Game of Keys,' are calling for earlier engagement with intimacy coordinators. They advocate for involving the specialists from the casting stage onward.
A new production method
The producers behind Prime Video’s new German drama 'Game of Keys' have publicly urged creatives to integrate intimacy coordinators into the production process from its earliest stages. Ulrike Leibfried and Sinah Swyter of UFA Fiction, the production company behind the project, shared that they engaged intimacy coordinator Emilia Bähr at the very beginning of the show's development, including during casting.
This decision, made for the raunchy eight-part series, deviated from the more common industry practice of bringing specialists on board only for on-set choreography of specific scenes. Leibfried and Swyter stated that involving Bähr from day one was a significant factor in the production's successful execution, creating a safer and more collaborative environment for the cast and crew when handling sensitive material. The series, which revolves around four couples exploring sexual boundaries, required a foundational level of trust that the producers believe was established through this early and consistent involvement.
Shifting industry standards
The call from the 'Game of Keys' producers highlights a growing conversation within the industry about the scope and timing of an intimacy coordinator's role. While the position has become an essential safeguard on many sets, its function is often siloed to the physical filming of intimate scenes. Leibfried and Swyter argue that extending this role into pre-production and casting allows for clearer communication, boundary setting, and consent discussions before the pressures of a filming schedule begin.
By speaking about their process, the UFA Fiction producers are positioning their method not just as a choice but as a potential evolution of industry best practices. They contend that early engagement is not merely a defensive or protective measure but a creative benefit, allowing actors to perform with more confidence and vulnerability, ultimately enhancing the final product. Their advocacy suggests a move toward embedding the coordinator's function more deeply into a project's creative DNA.
