kaja:wesołek-podziemskatraining:intimacy:coordinator
Kaja Wesołek-Podziemska is a certified intimacy coordinator, accredited by the IPA (Intimacy Professionals Association) and Safe Sets. Two passions led her to this profession.
The first is dance and acting: as a child, Kaja performed in contemporary dance theatre, and as a student, she appeared at the National Theatre in Warsaw in the play Cinderella (Kopciuch), directed by Will Pomerantz. The second passion is psychology, which she studied at the University of Warsaw and later deepened through a cognitive-behavioural therapy school.
Alongside her work as a therapist, she consulted on castings for feature films and assisted children in performing emotionally challenging scenes. Kaja joined the team of the series Sexify, the first show in Poland to formally employ intimacy coordinators. She hopes that soon all intimate scenes will be created with respect for everyone involved and become an integral part of the creative process.
:workshopintimacy:coordinator
A professional intimate scene begins with a good setup – not only cameras, lighting, and blocking, but above all relationships, communication, and creative awareness.
The INTIMACY SETUP workshop is a practical guide for directors and cinematographers who want to create intimate scenes with respect, safety and a full understanding of film language for everyone on set.
Facilitators: INTIMACY DUO – Kaja Wesołek-Podziemska, Marta A. Zygadło
Duration – workshop: 3 days x 6 hours (clock hour – 60 minutes)
Workshop objective:
The aim of the workshop is to equip directors and cinematographers with practical tools for planning, directing and shooting intimate scenes in a professional, safe and artistically conscious manner – respecting the boundaries of actors, the principles of consent and cooperation with the intimate scenes coordinator.
You will learn:
• what an intimate scene is
• what the language of communication about intimate scenes is
• how to build proper communication with the team and actors
• how to manage your creative process
• how to build safety in discomfort
• what choreography tools are used in the realisation of intimate scenes
• what the process of coordinating intimate scenes is and how to work with an intimate scene coordinator
• how to plan shots while respecting the boundaries of actors
• how to translate emotional tension into images – without crossing boundaries.
Artistic vision + empathy + technique = a professional setup for every scene.
After completing the workshop, participants will acquire the following skills:
1. Conscious planning of intimate scenes
– creating concepts and visual language while considering the boundaries of actors and safety requirements.
2. Effective collaboration with the intimate scene coordinator
– understanding their role, processes and tools, and how to best integrate them into the creative team.
3. Communication with actors in the context of sensitive scenes
– conducting conversations about consent, setting boundaries and needs without pressure.
4. Practical directing and cinematography tools
– framing, camera placement and blocking techniques that support the narrative without exploitation.
5. Recognising and avoiding risks on set
– in the context of intimacy, emotions, hierarchy and responsibility.
6. Building a safe creative atmosphere
– in which all team members can act with respect, openness and awareness of boundaries.
