Michael Douglas discusses filming intimate scenes without coordinators

Actor Michael Douglas has shared insights into the process of filming sex scenes during his career, specifically addressing the era before the widespread use of intimacy coordinators. Speaking on the podcast “Happy Sad Confused,” the 82-year-old actor described the process as a choreographed “dance” that relies heavily on mutual trust between performers.

Douglas explained that actors would meticulously discuss every movement—such as kissing or touching—step by step before the cameras began rolling to ensure the performance appeared natural and spontaneous. He compared the technicality of these scenes to choreographing a fight scene.

Additionally, Douglas reflected on the challenging working conditions for women in previous decades. He noted that female actors often had to perform intimate scenes while surrounded by predominantly male crews and emphasized his efforts to ensure his partners felt as comfortable as possible on set.