Ian West Glasgow Intimacy Coordinator

The demand for professional intimacy coordination has grown significantly across film, television, theatre, and live performance in recent years. Productions are increasingly recognising the importance of creating safe, respectful, and collaborative environments when working with scenes involving intimacy, simulated sexual content, nudity, or physical closeness. At the forefront of this evolving industry is Ian West, a highly respected Glasgow-based intimacy coordinator whose experience, training, and commitment to performer wellbeing have made him a trusted professional throughout Scotland and the wider UK.

Ian West Glasgow Intimacy Coordinator brings together more than 25 years of experience in the performing arts, combining expertise in choreography, movement direction, education, and intimacy practice. His work supports performers, directors, producers, and creative teams in delivering authentic storytelling while maintaining clear consent-based practices and professional standards throughout the production process.

As productions continue to adopt modern approaches to performer care, the role of an intimacy coordinator has become an essential component of many television, film, and theatre projects. Ian West has established himself as a leading practitioner in this field, helping productions navigate sensitive material with professionalism, communication, and respect.

Ian’s journey into intimacy coordination developed naturally from his extensive career in choreography and movement direction. Having worked across a broad range of theatrical and screen productions, he recognised the need for specialised support when performers were required to engage in intimate scenes. This understanding led him to pursue advanced industry training and develop a practice focused on safeguarding performers while supporting the artistic vision of each project.

As a SAG-AFTRA trained intimacy coordinator, Ian West has completed professional intimacy training through Intimacy On Set (IOS), one of the industry’s most recognised organizations. This specialist training provides practitioners with the skills required to facilitate intimate scenes using consent-led processes, clear communication, and structured choreography. Through this framework, performers can participate in scenes confidently, knowing that boundaries, expectations, and consent have been discussed and agreed upon before filming or performance begins.

The value of a SAG-AFTRA trained intimacy coordinator extends beyond scene choreography. Productions benefit from having a dedicated professional who can act as a bridge between performers and creative teams, helping ensure that intimate content serves the story while respecting individual comfort levels. Ian West applies these principles across every project, creating environments where collaboration and professionalism remain central throughout the creative process.

Based in Glasgow, Ian works with productions across Scotland and throughout the UK. His screen credits include work on major television and film productions involving internationally recognised broadcasters and production companies. These experiences have allowed him to collaborate with performers and creative teams in a wide range of production settings, adapting his approach to suit the unique requirements of each project.

Ian’s work covers every stage of intimacy coordination, from script analysis and risk assessment through to rehearsal planning, scene choreography, performer consultation, and on-set support. By becoming involved early in the production process, he helps identify potential challenges and establish clear communication pathways that support both performers and production teams.

In addition to his screen work, Ian West has built an impressive reputation within theatre. His background in choreography and movement direction provides a strong foundation for intimacy direction in live performance, where scenes must be repeated consistently and safely throughout extended production runs. Theatre productions often require performers to revisit emotionally and physically vulnerable material multiple times each week, making structured intimacy practices particularly important.

Ian has contributed to numerous theatre productions where intimacy direction forms a key part of the rehearsal process. His expertise allows performers to approach intimate scenes with confidence, clarity, and consistency while supporting directors in achieving their creative objectives. This balance between artistic storytelling and performer welfare has become one of the defining characteristics of his professional approach.

Another factor that distinguishes Ian West within the industry is his commitment to ongoing professional development and industry best practices. As a BECTU registered intimacy coordinator, he maintains strong professional connections within the UK’s creative industries and continues to engage with evolving standards surrounding performer advocacy, consent, and workplace safety.

Being a BECTU registered intimacy coordinator reflects a commitment to recognised professional standards and ethical working practices. Productions seeking intimacy support often look for practitioners who not only possess technical expertise but also demonstrate an ongoing dedication to industry development. Ian’s involvement within professional organisations helps ensure that his work remains aligned with current best practices and emerging industry expectations.

Beyond intimacy coordination, Ian West brings a comprehensive understanding of performer wellbeing through additional training in safeguarding, equality and diversity, disability awareness, mental health first aid, conflict resolution, and inclusion practices. These qualifications strengthen his ability to support diverse casts and creative teams while fostering environments built on mutual respect and effective communication.

Education also plays a significant role in Ian’s professional work. Through his Intimacy 360 initiative, he collaborates with universities, conservatoires, drama schools, and performing arts institutions to provide workshops and training focused on intimacy practice. These educational programmes help prepare emerging performers and creative professionals for the realities of contemporary production environments where consent-led approaches are increasingly expected.

The Intimacy 360 programme introduces students to important concepts including boundary setting, communication strategies, consent protocols, performer advocacy, and professional rehearsal practices. By introducing these principles during training, Ian helps future performers enter the industry with a stronger understanding of how intimacy can be approached safely and professionally.

One of the key reasons productions choose Ian West Glasgow Intimacy Coordinator is his ability to balance creative ambition with performer care. Intimate scenes often involve complex emotional and physical requirements, making trust and communication essential components of the process. Ian’s extensive background in performance and movement enables him to guide these conversations effectively while supporting directors in bringing their creative vision to life.

As the entertainment industry continues to prioritise performer safety and consent-based working practices, intimacy coordinators are becoming increasingly important members of production teams. Their presence helps create clearer communication, stronger performer confidence, and more professional working environments across film, television, and theatre.

For productions throughout Scotland and the UK seeking a SAG-AFTRA trained intimacy coordinator and BECTU registered intimacy coordinator, Ian West offers a combination of industry experience, specialist training, educational expertise, and collaborative professionalism. His work reflects the modern standards expected within today’s creative industries while supporting authentic storytelling and performer wellbeing at every stage of production.

Whether working on a major television drama, independent film, touring theatre production, or educational programme, Ian West continues to contribute to safer and more respectful creative environments. Through his dedication to performer advocacy, consent-led practices, and professional excellence, he remains a respected figure within the growing field of intimacy coordination.