The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) was forced to make a rule change after a controversial film starring Martin Freeman and Jenna Ortega was released.
Miller’s Girl was an erotic thriller featuring the two stars, between whom there is a 31-year age gap, and it saw the pair playing a teacher and a student who enter into a relationship.
The film caused such a stir that the actor’s guild had to update its rules regarding intimacy as a result.
Martin Freeman and Jenna Ortega got up close and personal
If you want a flavor for the film, check out this synopsis: “A talented young writer (Ortega) embarks on a creative odyssey when her teacher (Freeman) assigns a project that entangles them both in an increasingly complex web.
“As lines blur and their lives intertwine, professor and protégé must confront their darkest selves while straining to preserve their individual sense of purpose and the things they hold most dear.”
You get the idea, right?
The movie caused such a commotion because Ortega’s character was supposed to be 18-years-old, and that age gap didn’t sit quite right with some viewers.
SAG-AFTRA tightened up rules on intimacy after the film
In the wake of the controversial film, Deadline reported that SAG-AFTRA decided that it was going to sure up rules on intimacy coordinators afterwards.
These rules meant that any breaches in confidentiality could see the intimacy coordinators brought in to ensure that everyone filming scenes, such as those in the film, does so in a respectful and comfortable way - in the job queue.
The Screen Actors Guild made changes to its Standards and Protocols for the use of Intimacy Coordinators after Miller’s Girl, specifically stating that any intimacy coordinators overstepping the rules could be removed from the registry.
After filming, intimacy coordinator Kristina Arjona spoke about the filming of some X-rated scenes, telling the Daily Mail: "There was many, many people throughout this process, engaging with [Jenna] to make sure that it was consistent with what she was comfortable with.
“She was very determined and very sure of what she wanted to do."
The updated rules mean that coordinators must respect the privacy and consent of actors even after filming has finished.
If details are to be shared, they have to get permission.
A SAG-AFTRA spokesperson confirmed at the time: “Intimacy coordinators are a crucial resource on any set to ensure the protection of our members working in intimate scenes.
“Intimacy coordinators should maintain the confidentiality of an actor’s work and experience in performing highly sensitive scenes unless they have the actor’s permission to publicly share this information,
“The public release of details about an actor’s scene work or confidences entrusted to the intimacy coordinator without the performer’s consent is unacceptable.”
In initial guidance for the role, then-SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White said: “This helps protect our members,
“We wanted to keep it simple and keep it easy for the industry to embrace.”