By KT Mahe
There has been a shift in recent years where safety on television and film sets has become increasingly important to audiences. The Me Too movement played a significant role in this change, with the presence of intimacy coordinators now seen as necessary and non-negotiable. However, some talent—including Sean Bean and Mikey Madison—have publicly questioned the necessity of these roles in certain situations.
Kate Blackmore’s Make It Look Real follows intimacy coordinator Claire Warden as she is recruited to work on three intimate scenes in Tightrope, a film directed by Kieran Darcy-Smith and starring Sarah Roberts and Albert Mwangi. Tightrope explores the story of a married couple trying to reignite their spark and find exciting ways to reconnect.
While Claire is the central figure of this documentary, viewers are also given a brief history of how intimacy scenes were handled in the past, insights into the unofficial support systems on sets without intimacy coordinators, and audio clips of actresses discussing their experiences filming such scenes.
As an advocate for safe, respectful work environments, Claire approaches her role with a firm but gentle demeanor. On set, she seamlessly interprets broad direction into specific actions to ensure the actors are comfortable. Her calm presence—whether offering breath mints or reviewing safety measures—makes the process feel less awkward and more professional.
The typical process begins with Claire meeting Kieran to discuss how a scene contributes to the emotional core of the film and which physical actions are necessary. She then meets with Sarah and Albert individually to assess their comfort levels and explore adjustments that won’t compromise the emotional intent of the scene. Rehearsals follow, with Claire always nearby as a supportive presence and resource.
The first two scenes posed challenges, but it was the third—featuring an additional partner—that proved most difficult to coordinate. Sarah reflects on her past experiences and how she’s now reclaiming her voice and agency. Claire balances the scene requirements without overstepping, while Albert offers suggestions that Claire handles with professionalism and empathy. Actor Tom Davis is introduced and easily integrates into the scene’s dynamic. While the final version of the scene differs from Kieran’s original brief, it ends up being fun, flirty, and satisfying for all involved.
The documentary also touches on Claire’s background, answering the audience’s likely curiosity about how one becomes an intimacy coordinator. In a poignant segment, we visit Claire’s childhood home on the island of Guernsey. Her parents reflect on her early sense of justice—recalling a moment when young Claire was upset after watching a scene where a character was forced against her will. Her parents clearly understand and are proud of the work she does.
Blackmore contrasts this heartfelt moment with the darker, whispered realities of the industry. Through interviews with prominent actresses, we hear how filming intimate scenes has historically been uncomfortable—sometimes even predatory—masked by humor and applause from the audience. These stories, told through a woman’s perspective, cut through the levity and reveal a deeper pain.
The film also explores the realities of sets without intimacy coordinators, where crew members like hair and makeup artists often serve as unofficial support systems. One account recalls a lead actress who felt she needed to drink early in the morning because her scene partner refused to wear protective gear. These moments reinforce the importance of having professionals like Claire on set.
Make It Look Real is both a profile of Claire and a reflection of broader industry practices, and, in many ways, of society itself.
Make It Look Real will screen at this year’s Sydney Film Festival (SFF) on June 12 (sold out), June 14 (sold out), and June 15.
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