Virtual Class Notes:

Messy Movement

For Film, TV, and Stage.

in partnership with OUTFEST LOS ANGELES (2022)

Welcome Storytellers!

It is an honor to be here with you.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share The Messy Movement Practice for Film & TV with you.

Our intention for this space is to explore new pathways to creating intimacy in film and TV.

My journey into this work began in July 2014, with the release of my first short film, Sex Is A God Thing.

Directed by Zarinah Ali and Written by Chanel Glover.

With these powerhouse storytellers, we co-created a safe space for me to explore my practice with erotic dance and sensual self through storytelling and film.

I have been on a mission to create stories that celebrate Black, larger-bodied, dark-skinned, queer, femmes* being seen as the lead, romantic interest, desirable and complex.

Over the last eight years, we have explored short film and digital video as a medium to highlight and support this narrative.

In doing this work I have learned a lot about what it takes to create spaces for people to explore their erotic self.

Seven Keys To Creating Safe Erotic Scenes in Film and TV.

-Rashida KhanBey Miller, Messy Movement For TV/Film

Safety First

  1. What ground intentions can you establish for your ensemble and crew?

  2. What does “safety first” mean in your production experience?

  3. What challenges prevent safety?

Consent as a Practice

  1. How do you create a continuous conversation and container for consent as a practice?

  2. How do you encourage people to be vocal about needs, concerns and boundaries?

  3. How do you ensure there is an environment where there is option to change or redirect without retaliation?

  4. Can you list the ways in which retaliation can show up in the space?

Intimacy Coordination Beyond Sex

  1. Can you list all the ways in which the body is being utilized for storytelling?

  2. How do you consider physical safety needs before you get into erotic content?

  3. How can you create an environment that values the body and humanity first?

Integrative Care Support Teams

  1. How often does your team have an opportunity to step away from the work?

  2. Who are the professionals you have hired to support the team’s rest, mental health, physical longevity, and joy in the workspace?

  3. How are you investing in the care of your team in the way you approach the work?

Non-Porn Cinmena vs. Cinematic Porn

  1. Are you clear about the type of content you actually want to create?

  2. How are varying departments: writers, film crew, executives, costume, etc. working cohesively to create intentional intimate scenes vs. sporadic creative shifts/requests?

  3. Does the content we are seeking to create take into account the whole person?

Creative Flow

  1. Have you explored various mediums to communicate your story?

  2. What practices or tools are you utilizing to create a visceral sex scenes?

  3. Does your creative flow embrace the total person?

Content Extension.

  1. Are you willing to explore extending the content beyond the primary piece? Think about OnlyFans, Patreon, or another subscriber-based platform for adult content.

  2. Are you storytellers willing to explore erotic content in a more expanded nature? Including nudity and/or explicit sex simulation?

  3. Are you hiring sex workers and safety coordinators to support building this content extension?

  4. Are you paying your creators an additional fee for this content?

  5. Are you providing access to mental health support and STI/STD testing?