Māra Sleja
Intimacy Coordinator
Riga - Latvia
What is an Intimacy Coordinator?
An Intimacy Coordinator is a professional who works with actors and film production teams to ensure that intimate scenes are carried out safely, respectfully, and consensually. They help choreograph intimate scenes, advocate for performers' rights, and facilitate open communication between all parties involved.
Intimacy Coordinators act as a liaison between the actor, director, and production to facilitate effective and clear communication around scenes involving nudity and simulated sex. Intimacy Coordinator makes sure that the actors feel safe, while at the same time supporting the director's process for realizing their vision.
What does an Intimacy Coordinator do?
The Intimacy Coordinator provides a variety of services to ensure that scenes involving intimacy or nudity are handled professionally, respectfully, and safely:
Facilitate a dialogue between the actors and director about their comfort level with the intimate content of a scene.
Assist in choreography of simulated sex scenes to enhance believability.
Coordinate with departments such as costumes and makeup to make sure that the actors are provided with appropriate nudity garments, barriers, and prosthetics.
Ensure that during the filming of a scene the boundaries of the actors are not being crossed and that they remain safe throughout, both physically and emotionally.
Ensure that closed set and nudity guidelines are followed.
About Māra
Māra (she/her) is an Intimacy Professionals Association (IPA) certified intimacy coordinator based in Latvia, Riga.
Māra is an experienced and dynamic entertainment industry professional with over 17 years of diverse experience working in the photo, film, television, and advertising industries as a model, TV presenter, actress, event and radio host, and now as an Intimacy Coordinator.
Māra demonstrates the ability to adapt to any situation and deliver high-quality support for actors, directors, and the crew in an intimate setting. Māra is skilled in building strong relationships with clients, colleagues, and audiences and is driven by a passion for storytelling and the art of entertainment.
Mara is a Certified Intimacy Coordinator by the Intimacy Professionals Association (IPA), a SAG-AFTRA accredited in collaboration with the Nordic Intimacy Coordinator Training Program (NIC), and a member of Baltic Intimacy Professionals.
Additionally, Māra trained in Theatrical Intimacy Education’s Intimacy Choreography via a Digital Workshop , completed the NonViolent Communication practical workshop Module1 and participated in Riga/ON|International Contemporary Dance Workshops.
