About Us
IDC is the premier organization for consent and intimacy training in the entertainment industry. We are known for our excellent certification programs for Intimacy Coordinators in TV and Film, and Intimacy Directors in Live Performance.
Our Mission is to equip every institution and individual artist in the entertainment industry with the resources and education needed to create a culture of consent in which intimate stories can be told with safety and artistry.
Our Vision is a world in which intimacy is a vital and joyful part of storytelling, and all artists are able to work consensually, bringing their whole selves to the work and honoring one another’s individual humanity.
Our Core Values
IDC operates under five (5) core values: Anti-Racism, Creativity, Integrity, Excellence, and Sustainability. Read more about each one here.
Our Philosophy of Change
There are extreme power dynamics within the entertainment industry and deeply rooted cultural norms and systems that prioritize profit and product over the dignity and safety of its workers. We especially see these dynamics at play within scenes of intimacy. Progress requires both cultural and systemic change.
Our Consent-Forward Artist Certificate Program (CFA) (Level 1 and Level 2) teach the foundational theories of intimacy work and consent forward practices that students need to take action in their individual spheres of influence to create long-lasting cultural and systemic change.
Our Advanced Training Program (Level 3 and Level 4) offers expert training in the depth and breadth of knowledge required to become a responsible and ethical Intimacy Professional who can implement the highest level of protocols and approaches to facilitate high-stakes scenes of simulated sexual acts, nudity or hyper exposure, and intimate physical contact.
Our Continuing Education Workshops and Consent Studio house our most flexible, accessible, and adaptive offerings to support everyone in creating a culture of mindful care and consent in the entertainment industry.
We believe that together these programs can create long-lasting systemic and cultural change in the entertainment industry.
Our Team
Our teaching and content creation teams are composed of a qualified group of intimacy professionals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, many of whom have blazed paths setting standards at the highest industry levels. IDC is proud to be an organization where intimacy professionals from all over the country can come together to research, teach, and forge the future of the intimacy profession.
Our administrative and leadership team is composed of values-first thought leaders who are dedicated to seeing IDC’s Mission and Vision become a reality, both externally and internally
Our Credentials and Qualifications
IDC is one of nine intimacy programs worldwide to be accredited by SAG-AFTRA to train and certify Intimacy Coordinators.
IDC’s executive leadership is comprised of top industry professionals working at the highest levels of this industry including but not limited to Broadway, Off-Broadway, HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Netflix, and more!
Beyond this, our executive team holds several relevant advanced degrees, including:
PhD in Theatre with a research focus on Intimacy in Entertainment
MFA in Theater Pedagogy
MBA in Business
IDC’s teaching artists all have practical knowledge of intimacy direction/coordination and have demonstrated commitment to facilitating an inclusive and respectful learning environment for all participants, facilitators, and staff. Combined, they represent years of experience working at all levels of the industry.
Why Offer Certification?
Certification is an important element of IDC’s theory of change. The industry is plagued by homogenous, closed-door, informal networks and referrals to get work which further exacerbates problematic power structures. Certification combined with rigorous equity practices during the application process provides an accessible pathway to a career as an intimacy professional for new voices whether or not they already have strong industry connections. Read more about our stance on certification.
Our International Affiliates
IDC recognizes these international organizations as sharing similar values and standards to IDC, and are run by one or more individuals who hold certification with IDC. These programs may accept IDC training on their pathways toward certification, please see the organization for detailed information.
