China Åhlander is an intimacy coordinator and work environment consultant in film and theater based in Skåne, Sweden.
As an intimacy coordinator and a work environment consultant on film, tv and theatre, I can help ensure safety in the process, both for the actors, the director and the rest of the crew regarding both intimate scenes and the work environment. Please contact me if you would like to know more or would like a free consultation.
The intimacy coordinator’s job is to help the director realize their vision for the film while also taking care of and creating security for the actors’ well-being in relation to the intimate scenes (before, during and after the filming). The intimacy coordinator first reads the script and talks with the director about the vision of the film and how they want to illustrate the scene(s).
The intimacy coordinator then talks to the actors, first individually and then together, as they also work out suggestions for the director for feedback or continued work with the director.
The intimacy coordinator’s presence and routines ensure that the work takes place in a safe environment for everyone involved.
China Åhlander (she/her/hers) has studied at IPA, Intimacy Professionals Association and completed the SAG-AFTRA Accredited Training Program for intimacy on film & TV, taught by IPA’s lead instructor Amanda Blumenthal (first intimacy coordinator in Los Angeles).
MY WORK AS AN INTIMACY COORDINATOR MAY INCLUDE
- to read the script and do a breakdown of the intimate scenes
- to meet the director and discuss the director’s vision of the film and the thoughts around the scenes
- to meet with the producer and other relevant stakeholders as needed
- if necessary, to participate in the casting process to inform the actors about the intimate scenes and the level of what is expected of them regarding intimacy at an early stage
- to meet the actors individually and together to learn about their boundaries around intimacy, discuss the content of the current scenes and expectations for them as actors and how we can jointly find a way of working, where they can continuously give their consent to how the scenes are illustrated
- to meet the director together with the actors and together draw up the guidelines for the content of the intimate scenes and expectations for the execution of the scenes
- to prepare the actors mentally and physically for the intimate scenes by leading or supporting the development of the choreography for the intimate scenes and being a support during rehearsals and filming to ensure that consent is continuously ensured throughout the process and that everyone involved feels safe in the work environment
- to bring my intimacy kit, a toolbox with modesty garments, tape and other useful stuff, to facilitate the implementation of the intimate scenes
- to coordinate all departments involved in the execution of the intimate scenes, such as the costume department, so that the actors have the garments and aids that facilitate the execution of the intimate scenes
- if there is both sex and violence involved in the scenes, to introduce a stunt coordinator (if requested also a female stunt coordinator) to help prepare the scenes
- to follow up on the work with the actors after filming, if necessary
- to be generally helpful so that the production company’s guidelines for a good work environment are implemented
China Åhlander’s combination of deep industry experience, problem-solving skills, and ability to create a safe and respectful work environment makes her uniquely qualified as an intimacy coordinator. She brings not only technical and organizational expertise but also strong interpersonal skills that are invaluable in our line of work. During the production of the first season of the TV-series Thin Blue Line,
I hired China as a production consultant when we faced the need to adjust our working methods and resolve conflicts between departments. She handled this delicate assignment with great professionalism, insight, and efficiency, contributing significantly to the success of the production.
Erik Magnusson, producer, anagram
China very quickly managed to understand our situation and create an “action plan”. She has the ability to create trust and security in the conversation. She gives concrete advice that is presented in a clear way. China is very empathetic and everyone in the business who had contact with her felt listened to.
Through China, we received help to conduct difficult conversations in a safe way that led to us being able to move forward both in the conversations with each other and in the work on stage and in the rehearsal room. The guidance that China gave me as a business manager, and in the current situation also as a conversation leader, was invaluable! I received help with both how I could express myself and how I could set up the conversation. This led directly to a sense of security in me and was the basis for the conversations going so well.
The advice that China gave us had a direct impact on our entire business, not just the situation that she helped us with. China took the time to listen to everyone and was able to both help create understanding for others in the workplace and help open up for dialogue. We will invite China to hold a course with the entire staff.
We will of course hire China again and can therefore highly recommend her!
Mette af Klint, Director of Mimteatern (formerly Pantomimeteatern) in Stockholm
CURIOSITIES about CHINA
China Åhlander has been working in the film business since 1985 at both Swedish & international film productions, mainly as a location scout/manager, first assistant director or production manager. She founded the production company Chinema Film Sweden in 2013.
She started her film career as an editor and documentary filmmaker. Her short Close to the Soil won the top awards at both Aspen and Telluride in 2001.
She has produced & co-written the feature My Aunt in Sarajevo (Goran Kapetanović) on refugees from the Yugoslav wars.
She also produced the multiple rewarded festival favourite Eat Sleep Die (Gabriela Pichler) which gave China Åhlander Sweden’s top honor, Guldbagge, for Best Film and was Sweden’s candidate for the Academy Award in 2013.
Her feature doc as producer and co-editor Lindy the Return of Little Light, was nominated for the Prix Europa Iris Award and received the New Nordic Voice award at Nordisk Panorama in 2019.
In 2024 the company released a documentary The Dear John Letter, a film where middle-aged men talk about their feelings and the shame that has affected them throughout their lives from being sexually abused as young teenagers.
China also teaches film production – the producer’s role, with the work environment as her specialty.
Read more here
http://www.chinema.se/productions/
China Åhlander on IMDb
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0959742/
MORE ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE INTIMACY COORDINATOR
The intimacy coordinator is an agent for both the director and the actors, tasked with maintaining a good work environment throughout the process of working on intimate scenes – from casting the role to the premiere of the film.
The intimacy coordinator has a dual loyalty, partly to the actors and partly to the director, where two different interests (the actors’ health and the director’s vision) must be respected. The intimacy coordinator should be the actors’ protector while also functioning as the director’s extended arm in shaping the vision. The intimacy coordinator should, with their education and knowledge, contribute to ensure that the interests of both parties are met.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
Whether you are in pre-production and just want to discuss your project, or ready to bring an intimacy coordinator on board, I’d love to hear from you.
I work from the south of Sweden across the country and internationally. I welcome enquiries from producers, directors, theatres, and drama institutions alike. I aim to respond within a couple of working days.
