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.
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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- 167350, Lena Hall attends OUTFEST Center Piece Screening of ‘BECKS’. Los Angeles, California – Sunday July 9, 2017. Photograph: © PacificCoastNews. Los Angeles Office (PCN): +1 310.822.0419 UK Office (Photoshot): +44 (0) 20 7421 6000,Image: 514393035, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – DIRECT SALES ONLY- Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: PacificCoastNews / Avalon
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- Lena Hall at the New York premiere of ‘Always At The Carlyle’ at The Paris Theatre. New York City, New York – Tuesday May 8, 2018.,Image: 515182641, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: Dennis Van Tine / Avalon
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- 167350, Lena Hall attends OUTFEST Center Piece Screening of ‘BECKS’. Los Angeles, California – Sunday July 9, 2017. Photograph: © PacificCoastNews. Los Angeles Office (PCN): +1 310.822.0419 UK Office (Photoshot): +44 (0) 20 7421 6000,Image: 526078607, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – DIRECT SALES ONLY- Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: PacificCoastNews / Avalon
This is what professional looks like.
For sure. That was wonderfully written and very clear that ICs are necessary.
I am glad that Bean isn’t as terrible as he makes himself sound, for the sake of everyone who works directly with him.
He IS as terrible as he sounds though. The man was arrested for harassing his ex in 2012 and sending her threatening text messages. He’s an a-hole.
He was arrested in 2008 too on suspicion of assaulting his then wife.
See even now women actresses have to rescue the male stars in public and make sure everyone knows they don’t always need an IC. Which means when someone asks for one, they’re being targeted if the set is already toxic enough to want one.
Like, I’m glad she threaded this needle so carefully and didn’t throw him under the bus, but to me it also points out how often women are put in this situation to rescue poor man’s rep. Why in the world would he say she was up for anything? That isn’t his call to make.
I agree, it’s disturbing how the onus is yet again put on the women on set. Asking for IC’s on set, seems to become the new ‘Oh look, here’s the demanding prissy again, causing longer work hours on set’. Ugh. Just grow up, dudes.
This is why I think one should be on EVERY set, regardless. An actress/actor shouldn’t have to be singled out as the one who wants it, “everyone else is *cool* w/out it”. Just have one there. Make it the same as having an A.D. or a producer on set. Make it a standard line item in EVERY script budget (TV or film).
Good point, this also speaks to his “up for anything line” as in, people who want to work with an IC are clearly not seen as team players by Mr Bean, which is insane.
No one is allowed to grab someone arse/boobs/etc without consent in a workplace (or anywhere), why should it be any different for male actors?
And the whole ‘…it’s for the arts’ thing excuse is blergh as well. Abuse is abuse, fuckery is fuckery, creepy is creepy. A movie or tv show or whatever will never be a good excuse for crappy, creepy, abusive, exploitative, mean behaviour. Go watch/make porn if you’re so much into those intimate scenes. Oh wait, I’ve heard good porn production have IC’s on set as well.
So eloquently put. A shame that Sean Bean seems to be one of the good ones but still holds some problematic views. It goes to show that even the respectful, professional men still need educating by women and listening to their experiences!
@ Sasha, exactly!!! IF he had genuinely respectful attitudes with regards to ALL women, there was zero need for his disgusting comment in regards to Lena Hall.
His comment alone about Hall is further proof that he still needs to be educated with regards to women.
Seems to be one of the good ones in what respect, Sasha? Professionally? Because personally, he (was accused of) physically abused and harassed his fourth wife. I’m not surprised by any of this.
I’m only going by Lena’s comments of his behaviour on set, which sounds to have been issue-free.
He’s has nothing but love and respect from co-workers for years, especially the GoT cast. I don’t think he’s a sexist jerk, I think he’s an actor’s actor and he said things “depend on the actress” so he seems to consider each job/scene. I think he’s an old dude from a different time, and was trained in the 80s and sees intimacy coaches as a threat to the craft, and needs to wrap his head around why they’re needed. I hope he responds and changes his views.
Don’t know much about his messy personal life, I think he’s been reported as a drunk, but he’s always seemed pretty beloved by the people he works with.
Men who have more than 3 wives are either utter nightmares to women or abusive. My unscientific theory.
Relationships begin and end for all kinds of reasons that have nothing to do with a person being horrible or abusive. There are plenty of people who have long marriages who are garbage humans, and plenty of people who’ve been married multiple times who are perfectly lovely.
Also acting in sex scenes isn’t real life and with his long career – he should know this.
Lena’s Point 4 was going to be my comment on the other post featuring Sean Bean. I feel like in a sexy love scene, which was the topic (not a rape or violent sex scene, which absolutely must be choreographed) both actors should be allowed to discuss what they want, with the full understanding that if both or either wants an intimacy coordinator, an intimacy coordinator there shall be. That said, if the chemistry is awful between the two people, the scene will end up sucking either way. If the chemistry is good—even though actors always say filming love scenes isn’t sexy at all—I figure there has to be some real excitement or pleasurable feelings happening. Nothing wrong with that, as long as all parties are consenting. To Bean’s point, spontaneity will translate onto film as sexy and hot, which is the point of a sexy love scene. Nevertheless, it’s a fine line. Really important that the option exists.
I think at this point, the intimacy coordinator is their to cover the producer’s ass, which is why I think they will become the norm.
Not sure I agree that an intimacy coordinator stands in the way of chemistry or cannot enhance the feel of spontaneity in a sex scene though. The season 2 Bridgerton leads have discussed their experiences filming the sex scenes with an intimacy coordinator and the collaborative process that ensued. And in a lot of people’s opinion, this season’s sex scenes, although few, were wonderfully depicted intimate moments. Just like fight and action scenes are choreographed by experts and not spontaneous fistfights on set, it makes sense sex scenes require experts to make it look realistic while protecting people’s dignity and space
Any man who says that a woman is “up for anything” is gross.
I like what she had to say about ICs and also about mental health experts. It made me think about Heath Ledger who became depressed after playing one of the Batman villains. When actors have to do really dark material like that, or traumatic scenes, they should have resources to help them process it. It might have saved Ledger’s life.
ICs work in theatre too and make everyone safer and more cared for.