The five of them gathered in a small conference room, sipping coffees from to-go cups.
Vera wasn’t what Jasmine expected. For one thing, she was young. Younger than Jasmine, anyway, maybe midtwenties. She had straight dark hair, a creamy complexion, and striking green eyes. She was dressed in olive cargo pants and a double layer of distressed tank tops. But when Jasmine met her gaze, she was struck by the intensity she saw there. When Vera looked at her, it was with her full attention. Her smile was warm and genuine, and Jasmine instantly felt at ease with her.
“Hi, Jasmine,” Vera said, shaking her hand. “It’s really nice to meet you.”
Despite the early hour and Jasmine’s worries about Ashton, she felt herself relaxing. “Thanks, Vera. I’m excited to work together.”
Vera went to say hello to Ashton, and Ilba Montez took her place in front of Jasmine.
Ilba was a petite woman, around fifty, with luminous brown skin, big brown eyes, and a ready laugh. Her wavy black hair was cut short and she dressed casually in jeans and aDoctor WhoT-shirt.
“My wife and I loved you onThe Glamour Squad,” Ilba confessed when she introduced herself. “I’m a big fan of soaps. Such creative storytelling techniques. I hope they make a comeback.”
“Me too,” Jasmine said with a laugh, but Ilba shook her head.
“Nah, this show is going to catapult you. Just watch.” She winked, and they took their seats around the table.
Only Vera remained standing, with her hands resting on the back of her chair.
“Welcome, everyone.” She flashed a grin around the room. “Thanks for bringing me in. I’ve read the scripts, and I’m excited to assist with this production. Have any of you worked with an intimacy coordinator before?”
Jasmine would have thought the question was aimed at her and Ashton, but Ilba and Marquita responded too. Marquita was the only one who answered yes.
Vera nodded like she wasn’t surprised. “It’s a newer part of production, although it shouldn’t be. To give some background, it’s a role that started in theater, and is now being used more in TV and film. How about stage combat? Do either of you have experience with that?”
Both Jasmine and Ashton murmured their assent. Jasmine had filmed a few “catfights” while working in soaps. She’d also taken some fight choreography classes in drama school and,more recently, before auditioning for a couple of superhero roles. She’d been passed over for them, but she was holding out hope.
“So you know the importance of choreographing close movements for maximum safety,” Vera continued. “My goal as an intimacy coordinator is to make sure the performers, directors, and crew are all on the same page, and that clear consent is being given at all stages.”
Well, this was a welcome change. Jasmine couldn’t remember ever having been asked if she explicitly consented to something—or didn’t—while filming.
“One of the first things we have to do is determine the context,” Vera went on. “By that I mean, why is this scene here? Does it make sense for the story and characters?”
“The last thing we want is to put the actors in uncomfortable situations for scenes that don’t serve the story,” Marquita agreed.
Vera turned to Ashton. “Ashton, why do you think this episode needs an intimate moment between the characters?”
Jasmine watched him from the corner of her eye. Oh, she couldn’t wait to hear his answer to this.
COÑO. ASHTON SWALLOWEDhard as all the women in the room turned to look at him. “Ah... you mean the... kissing?”
What the hell was wrong with him? He was acting like Yadiel, who gagged every time people kissed in movies, even animated ones.
Vera’s smile was patient, but he got the feeling she’d caughthis embarrassment at saying the wordkissing. “Yes, Carmen and Victor share a very passionate kiss in this episode. Do you think it’s necessary for the story?”
Ashton supposed it made sense to ask these questions. Granted, most of his acting roles to date leaned heavily in favor of gratuitousness, but it was nice to have someone on the team who would focus on the integrity of the story. It wasn’t something he’d ever considered in his telenovela roles, which often had him kissing, fighting, yelling, and sometimes even crying in the same episode.Necessarydidn’t cover it. If it added to the drama, it stayed in. High emotions plus high drama equaled higher ratings.
But whileCarmen in Chargewas based on a telenovela, the tone was different from the original show,La patrona Carmen, which had been more of a workplace drama between rival execs. Ashton considered the third episode’s storyline, which focused on Carmen’s continuing efforts to improve Victor’s reputation after the disastrous red-carpet appearance in the previous episode.
“Talk us through it,” Vera urged.
He was starting to dislike this process, but he complied. “Well, Carmen books Victor on a cooking competition show to raise money for charity.”
Vera turned to Jasmine. “Anything to add, regarding context?”
Jasmine answered readily, like a dutiful student. “It’s a good publicity move, but Carmen knows Victor is a terrible cook. He’s her ex-husband, after all. She’d know that about him.”
“Cooking, food, the closeness of a kitchen—it can create a very intimate environment,” Marquita added. “That’s what we’re going for with the scene—pushing Carmen and Victor closer together.”
