Inspirational Women In Hollywood: How Mattea Kennedy Is Helping To Shake Up The Entertainment Industry
An Interview With Eden Gold
Bring your own chair to set. There is a lot of time spent on-set standing by to be of service. I made the mistake too many times to count of having to ask to borrow an apple box to perch on.
As a part of our series about Inspirational Women In Hollywood, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Mattea Kennedy.
Mattea Kennedy is an empowering intimacy coordinator dedicated to fostering a culture of safety and respect within the entertainment industry. With a fervent belief in the power of storytelling and a commitment to creating safe spaces for actors, she has emerged as a leading advocate for respectful and consensual on-screen intimacy. Mattea’s impact has been felt across various productions, from film sets to television studios. She has earned a reputation for her ability to seamlessly integrate the emotional and physical aspects of intimate scenes, contributing to a more inclusive and respectful entertainment landscape.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I grew up in London, U.K. As the daughter of a British Father and a Canadian Mother: I am a dual national. After theatre school I worked in live performance as a stage manager. I spent many hours in rehearsal, working with the directors and actors, liaising with other theatre departments, and then ‘calling shows’ in performance.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
I first heard about this role from a colleague of mine who was already working in this role. Intimacy coordination intertwines my love of people, sexuality and art. In addition to my theatre background, I have been a wellness coach, Toronto International Film Festival representative, co-facilitator of a weekly kink-friendly art event, and nude model. I was excited about a dedicated specialist who could advocate for performers, and add constructively to the creative vision of scenes involving nudity, simulated sex, or hyper-sensitive material. I knew that I wanted to be of service in that way.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
A performer I worked with asked if I would mind being contacted by his real life partner. He wanted me to explain to her how the work we had created was simulated, and share some of the tips and techniques with her myself. The scenes looked so real that she wanted extra reassurance that they were in fact — simulated. He said I was the first IC he had worked with that he trusted to ask this favour of. It was profoundly touching for me.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
One of the things that I didn’t initially realize was how difficult it can be for someone to shave an intimate area by themselves. Of course, the make — up department is stellar at this kind of thing — but it caught me by surprise! I had long fingernails at the time and of course on a busy day for modesty garments, I ended up fumbling around helping someone take care of those ‘hard-to-reach’ places, as an extra pair of hands. We laughed together a lot and it was a very bonding moment! I’m better prepared now and I ask folks to shave at home before they arrive on set.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Early on in my career I worked with an assistant director on a small budget feature. He was so supportive of this role and really bothered to ask a lot of questions and understand it for himself. I was feeling a bit nervous about taking up too much time going through things with the cast in advance of our private blocking rehearsal. He was so reassuring and patient — and he made sure that the whole crew knew exactly how pivotal it was to support the cast in this way. He suggests me whenever he can, and we still work together today.
You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
It’s a cliché to say, but there really is only success and failure. We have to feel brave enough to put ourselves out on a limb regularly in this profession which can feel daunting for sure. There’s a lot of rejection that comes with the territory in the film & tv industry, because you will not be the right fit for every project that crosses your path. You need to believe in yourself and focus on honing your skills and learning as much as you can. Anytime I am not working on a project I take further education industry workshops. In addition to the learning it helps to expand my network.
Every industry iterates and seeks improvement. What changes would you like to see in the industry going forward?
At present there is no requirement to hire an IC. It is not mandatory. There are only recommendations and guidelines. There’s always further to go!
You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?
We just wrapped up a pilot project for a tv series that is set in Hamilton, Ontario. It was really great to work with some very talented local cast and crew. If it makes it to a full series I believe it will be called “Gotta Guy”. I never know what’s around the corner! That’s part of what I enjoy about this industry. I love what I do, and having projects to look forward to would always be my hope.
We are very interested in looking at diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture and our youth growing up today?
Having representation in film & television is critical. It better reflects the rich diversity that exists in our society , it helps viewers feel seen and heard, and it serves to amplify the talent of those who have been under-represented historically. Seeing diversity represented in the media fosters a better sense of connection and belonging. Diversity that comes from under-represented groups is essential in building confidence in younger people, it creates a culture of positivity and potential role models.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
- Cut my nails! Please see above. I put my fingers in some sensitive areas, applying tape and modesty garments.
- We’re all on the same team. In popular media ICs can sometimes be mis-represented as thwarting simulated sex scenes or trying to sanitize content. In reality: production, cast and crew work together to create the work interdepartmentally.
- Carry chocolate in your kit! Craft services have many mouths to feed, and put nutrition first. Folks on set can be very grateful for a little chocolate ‘pick-me-up’!
- You will need to have a phenomenal amount of weird things in your IC kit to make barrier wear from: yoga mats, gel shoe insoles, car washing sponges to name just a few.
- Bring your own chair to set. There is a lot of time spent on-set standing by to be of service. I made the mistake too many times to count of having to ask to borrow an apple box to perch on.
Can you share with our readers any self-care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Please share a story for each one if you can.
I am an avid practitioner of yoga. I actually carry a yoga mat with me in my car and will throw it down in even the smallest of spaces. Moving my body helps reset my nervous system if I’m stressed and works out and aches or stiffness from long days on-set. I have recently started cold plunging. I do feel that it helps me create a bit of mental space as I focus on my breathing during those two minutes. It has increased my capacity to tolerate physical discomfort and I’m extremely proud of myself as I detest feeling cold generally speaking. Being of service is the most important part of my job to me. Every time I am able to offer support in just the right way, it is immensely gratifying. That really touches my heart.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Live life as if it is the last day of those you meet, instead of your own last day.” James Altucher.
This was profound for me because it really highlighted how treating people as well as you possibly can in every single interaction is a very worthy pursuit. I really try to make eye contact, smile and put effort into connecting with people — however fleetingly. It’s so beneficial to put positive energy out into the world.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
Tolerance and curiosity vs intolerance and prejudice. I really think that having an open mind, (and subsequently open heart,) for others is a foundational touchstone that could use some bolstering. It sounds easy, but it takes effort. To be open to a dialogue vs thinking we already know the answer. Actively listen without judgment, (even when we feel like jumping in with our own thoughts,) and having tolerance and respect for different opinions vs judgment.
Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
Jason Bateman would be a great lunch date. I really enjoy his work and would like to tell him that part of his oeuvre was very meaningful to me: Whilst I was being treated for cancer some years ago, I watched some comedy movies that he starred in. It really got me through some pretty dark times. I mentioned this to a producer recently who knows him, and she said “Oh, you should tell him!” Well, maybe I will..
Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?
matteakic — On instagram
intimacycoordinatortoronto.com
This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
About The Interviewer: Eden Gold, is a youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of the online program Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. Being America’s rising force for positive change, Eden is a catalyst for change in shaping the future of education. With a lifelong mission of impacting the lives of 1 billion young adults, Eden serves as a practical guide, aiding young adults in honing their self-confidence, challenging societal conventions, and crafting a strategic roadmap towards the fulfilling lives they envision.
Do you need a dynamic speaker, or want to learn more about Eden’s programs? Click here: https://bit.ly/EdenGold
