Intimacy coordinator explains what happens if an actor gets an erection on set when filming sex scenes

An intimacy coordinator has revealed what happens during one of the most awkward scenarios on set: if one of the actors in a sex scene gets an erection.

Intimate scenes in films have always seemed quite tricky to shoot but nowadays, numerous measures are put in place to make it as straightforward as possible.

But this doesn't stop the questions from flowing in from movie viewers.

In all fairness, with the likes of Nicole Kidman admitting that she 'didn't want to orgasm anymore' on the set of Babygirl, and the numerous unsimulated sex scenes in the industry, it's only natural that people want to learn more about on-set rules.

Now, an intimacy coordinator has taken to social media to reveal how these difficult scenes are shot, with the actors' comfort in mind.

Jessica Steinrock, PhD, better known on TikTok as @intimacycoordinator, posted a video captioned 'One of my most asked questions,' all around what you should do if the most awkward thing happens during a spicy scene.

What happens when someone in the scene 'gets an erection'?

The content creator, who has worked as intimacy coordinator on Yellowjackets, Netflix's Never Have I Ever and Hulu's Little Fires Everywhere, explains that those on set can 'ask any question that comes across your mind', adding: "It is my job to make sure you have all of the information to do your best work, and frankly vascular reactions are something that affects everybody."

It sounds scientific, but Steinrock said that a 'vascular reaction' is used to speak about any type of blood flow to the genitals.

"[It] could mean an erection in the penis, but it can also mean increased blood flow to the vulva or wetness," the intimacy coordinator explained.

She added: "Vascular reactions are one of the reasons we spend so much time talking about barriers and modesty garments," showing a couple of garments that would be used on set to cover their parts.

Explaining that different garments would work for different scenes, she went on to clarify how this worked exactly.

"Your scene partner is going to have a modesty garment that has a barrier inside, this barrier is designed to prevent physical sensation for both you and your scene partner," the film specialist said.

This also means that your potential 'vascular reaction' would be padded, stopping your scene partner from feeling it, and vice versa.

It's placed there for a reason, after all.

She concluded by explaining: "Then, if it's needed, either one of you are allowed to ask for a break at any point, no questions asked, so if things are going as planned, then no one ever needs to know if a vascular reaction has occurred on set."

So somehow, there's an element of privacy within what might be one of the scariest scenes to shoot in the industry.

Faking the deed is daunting enough, but faking it while having cameras, lighting and crew pointed at you?

It's not what you'd call romantic, so fair play to the actors that do a convincing enough job of it.