We'll need to get creative with screen intimacy due to virus: intimacy co-ordinator Amanda Cutting

Amanda Cutting, who has worked as an intimacy coordinator on shows such as "Game of Thrones" and "The Magicians", believes filmming kissing and intimate scenes may become a concern amid coronavirus scare even after lockdown restrictions are lifted.

Cutting has been roped in by producer Prabhleen Kaur and the OTT platform MX player for their web-series Mastram. She believes COVID-19 will impact the ways intimate scenes are portrayed in movies and shows.

"I do feel that we will need to ramp up sanitation procedures and safe distancing to support filming. Potentially limit crew and persons involved in the scene to protect the community as a whole. It will also mean we will need to get creative on how we show intimacy, can it be done without kissing - it is my opinion - yes, absolutely," Amanda, who is locked down at her home in Canada, told PTI in an email interview.

"I think the probability that this virus will be with us for a while will impact many ways of life, not just the film industry, she said.

"Mastram", produced by Sandhu under her banner Almighty Motion Pictures, is a web-series on the writer of Hindi erotica. Amanda was roped in by the producer.

"Prahbleen, due to the content of the show, wanted to take both a uniquely creative and artistically supportive style to filming this web series. The makers had contacted Intimacy Directors International founders to contract an intimacy coordinator for the project, and that is how I was booked, Amanda said.

Amanda said her job is to create a safe environment while filming intimate scenes and be authentic with its portrayal onscreen.

"We coordinate with production on the needs of the intimate scenes in a movement design aspect and ensure that the performer's riders and personal boundaries are respected.

"As an IC, I can assist in storytelling from a movement perspective. I also speak with different departments, affected in the scene, to ensure we have all the resources we need for the shoot day, to create a safe workspace and efficient filming."