Intimacy Coordination for Film & TV Workshop with David Thackeray 26-27 September Amsterdam
Auditioning for Film and TV Workshop June 6th–7th, 2026, in Valencia, Spain.

Nancy Bishop is an award winning American casting director, based in London. In her over twenty-year career, she has cast over one hundred projects, working for most of the major studios, networks and streamers. Credits include MissionImpossible IV, Snowpiercer and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (for which she won a CSA Artios award.) She was the founder and first president of the CSA/European Branch. She has written three books on auditioning, the most recent published by Bloomsbury: “Auditioning for Film and TV, in the post metoo era.” ABOUT CAPRICE CRAWFORD Caprice Crawford is an American international talent agent, producer and actress and the founder of Crawford Talents in Berlin. Her acting credits include Girl You Know It’s True, Maxton Hall and Nash Bridges. As a producer, she was behind Bitten Soon, which screened at the Cannes Film Festival, and Limbo, which received a Cannes nomination. ABOUT JO MONTEIRO CSA Based in Portugal, Jo Monteiro collaborates on international film and television productions across the United States, Germany, Spain, France, Turkey, and Italy, moving between major studio projects such as Gloria for Netflix—broadcast in 190 countries and awarded a Portuguese Golden Globe for Best Actor—and independent films. Her time living in Belgium, Dubai, and Sweden has enriched her cinematic vision with diverse cultural influences. Before focusing exclusively on fiction, she cast over 300 commercials. Her casting expertise is grounded in more than twelve years of hands-on filmmaking experience as an Assistant Director. She studied Film Studies at Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium) and recently directed the TV film O Aplaudido Dramaturgo Curado Pelas Pílulas Pink for the Portuguese public broadcaster RTP, as well as two short films, Animals and Borealis. WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: AUDITIONING FOR FILM AND TV This two-day intensive workshop offers a fun, dynamic and highly informative environment for actors looking to refine their craft and develop an international career. Participants will have the opportunity to practise essential on-camera audition skills, with a special focus on self-taping, a crucial step in today’s global casting landscape. Before the workshop, actors will choose and self-tape one of several provided scenes. During the sessions, Nancy Bishop, Caprice Crawford and Jo Monteiro will offer personalised feedback on scene work, self-tapes, demo reels and headshots. The class integrates a range of audition-focused exercises, including cold reading techniques, an approach developed and refined by Nancy Bishop. Actors will also work on strategies for identifying strong choices and clear objectives when approaching a new text. Each instructor contributes complementary expertise: Nancy Bishop reviews self-tapes and introduces cold-reading tools. Caprice Crawford provides feedback on promotional materials and offers guidance on how to get an agent. Jo Monteiro leads practical on-camera exercises. An open Q&A will help participants navigate the professional landscape with clarity and confidence. By the end of the workshop, actors will leave with actionable techniques, increased confidence, and the tools to approach international casting opportunities with professionalism and ease. PROFILE OF PARTICIPANT The workshop designed for Actors, acting students, directors, casting directors, Film Students, or professionals interested in the Film Business on the area of Acting. PRACTICAL DETAILS Location: Valencia, Spain Dates: 6-7 June 2026 Duration: 2 days Price: 499EUR (349EUR with 35% discount until the 27th of April) Maximum number of participants: 48 By registering to the workshop you agree with FFL terms and Conditions. Please add our address to your email safe senders list, address book or contact list to avoid FEST e-mails in spam. REGISTER FOR THIS WORKSHOP ON THE LINK BELOW:
You’ve no doubt heard the claim that "A poet needs a pen, a painter a brush, and a filmmaker an army." Well, with the advent of AI-generated film, we’re approaching the time when a filmmaker just needs to sit at their computer and get access to AI to make their film. You may be able to “write” your entire film the way you can write a script - creating “performers”, action and location, alone with your computer. We’re not there yet - but this course will help you see where we are now. This intensive weekend workshop will take you through the complete pipeline of AI-assisted filmmaking, from initial concept to finished production. By the end of this course, you will have created your first pieces of AI-generated video and gained hands-on experience with the latest cutting-edge AI image and video tools currently available. Are AI tools perfect? No. Things which are easy to film - two people speaking in a room - can be very hard or impossible to do well in AI. By contrast, things that are very hard to film for real - a 19th century dock scene with working steam trains and tall sailing ships - can be done very easily in AI. You’re not making a film in five years’ time - you’re making a film now. So we will show you what you need to know now, warts and all. Do you need technical skills to participate? No. But it is helpful if you have some basic familiarity with using AI. We will focus on accessible tools that are easy to use for non-technical people, not complex systems requiring coding experience. You will have the chance not only to learn these cutting-edge techniques but also to interact in a very direct way, as the group will have up to 25 participants, making it highly practical and interactive. The workshop will be hands-on, with participants working on their own material throughout the weekend. Depending on the scale and complexity of your vision, you may not complete your short film by the end of the workshop, but you will have the knowledge you need to continue independently. WORKSHOP CURRICULUM PRE-WORKSHOP: SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT Two weeks before the in-person course, we conduct a 1-hour Zoom call exploring how to use an AI system for scriptwriting and development, including ways to shape the writing style and improve creative output. We’ll also look at successful AI films and current limitations to help you prepare your script in advance. FOUNDATIONS: PROMPTING AND IMAGE GENERATION Using an LLM to help generate advanced prompts for image creation. Fundamentals of creating compelling images from text. Understanding the strengths, limitations and quality-control issues of AI image generation. Considering your "shooting ratio" - how many images you may need to create to get the one you really want. CHARACTER CONSISTENCY AND VIDEO GENERATION Building character consistency across multiple angles and shots. Creating character libraries. Generating video from still images and text. Managing challenges with voice, continuity and performance control. Understanding video "shooting ratio" and costs. ENHANCEMENT AND POST-PRODUCTION Refining and improving AI-generated images and video. Making footage feel more realistic and production-ready. Preparing material for further video generation and editing. Understanding the critical importance of human oversight in the edit, and why AI systems still give imperfect results that need human judgement. FINISHING AND MUSIC Adding music and sound. Final editing and delivery considerations. ETHICS AND POLITICS: AI AS A HISTORICAL MILESTONE AI represents a major milestone in human history which will have a major impact on all our lives. AI films are very unpopular with some people - so if you describe yourself as an AI filmmaker, you will likely be challenged about AI ethics. We won’t push a particular viewpoint, but we will explore the key questions so you can articulate your own position on these issues. SUBSCRIPTIONS To get the most from this workshop, participants should be prepared to subscribe to suitable AI image and video services. We may also provide shared access to certain tools during the workshop where appropriate. ABOUT MARTIN PERCY Martin Percy is a British director celebrated for his pioneering work in interactive cinema, virtual reality, and the creative use of artificial intelligence in film. A graduate of King’s College, Cambridge, Percy has built a career defined by experimentation with new forms of storytelling that actively involve the audience, merging narrative, technology, and participation.
His breakthrough came with Lifesaver (2012), an interactive crisis simulator that won a Grand Clio Award, a Webby Award, and received a BAFTA nomination. The project, which featured Daisy Ridley in her first professional role, established Percy as a leading figure in interactive film. He later expanded this format with Heart Class (2019), which won an Emmy in the United States, and CardiacCrash (2023), a Canadian project that won three Webby Awards and was nominated for the Canadian Screen Awards.
Percy has collaborated with some of the most respected institutions in the world, including the Tate Modern, the British Film Institute, the National Theatre, and the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. His projects have often brought together acclaimed actors such as Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Derek Jacobi, and Daisy Ridley, combining high-profile talent with cutting-edge interactive design. His VR project Virry VR (2017), filmed at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, received both BAFTA and Webby recognition and reinforced his reputation as a leading innovator in immersive media.
In recent years, Percy has increasingly integrated artificial intelligence into his practice, creating works that adapt to the user’s emotions, decisions, and interactions. Projects such as AI Basics: Thrills or Chills (2023) and the Adaptive-Media Interview Coach exemplify his commitment to exploring how AI can reshape creative expression and audience engagement. His TEDx talk, How to Save Lives with Interactive Film, highlighted his dedication to using new technologies not just for storytelling, but also for education and social impact. Throughout his career, Martin Percy has been recognised with a BAFTA, an Emmy, a Grand Clio, and more than a dozen Webby Awards. His work stands at the intersection of creativity and innovation, continually pushing the boundaries of how stories can be told and experienced.
PROFILE OF PARTICIPANT
Due to a date clash, the workshop will take place on the last weekend of September, specifically 26th and 27th of September in Amsterdam. ABOUT DAVID THACKERAY David Thackeray is an experienced Intimacy Coordinator. After training as an actor for five years and graduating from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, David transitioned into directing for stage, with one of his productions receiving critical acclaim and a transfer to London’s West End. His passion for storytelling soon led him into film and television, where he directed and produced an episode of Amazon Prime's Silent Eye. In 2017, David became one of the pioneering Intimacy Coordinators, a field that was still emerging at the time. He quickly established himself in the industry, working on a diverse range of high-profile productions across major platforms including Netflix, Disney, HBO, BBC, and Sky. His expertise has been integral to ensuring safe and respectful environments during the filming of intimate scenes, making him a sought-after professional in this area. David’s notable projects include the acclaimed TV series Sex Education (2020–2023), where he worked as an Intimacy Coordinator across 24 episodes, helping to navigate the show’s complex and sensitive themes. He also contributed to the global phenomenon Heartstopper (2022–2023), ensuring the portrayal of intimacy was both authentic and considerate across 16 episodes. His work on The Crown (2022) further cemented his reputation, bringing his expertise to one of the most watched and critically acclaimed series of the decade. David's recent projects include high-profile productions like The White Lotus (2022), Adolescence (2025), The Continental (2023), and Kaos (2024). He has also worked on upcoming titles like The Radleys (2024) and 3 Body Problem (2024), demonstrating his ongoing commitment to elevating the standards of intimacy coordination in the industry. His work is a testament to the importance of safety, respect, and collaboration in film and television, making him an invaluable asset to any production. David Thackeray experience speaks for itself and guarantees the high standards our participants have come to expect from FEST FILM LAB. WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION This intensive 2-day workshop on Intimacy Coordination for Film and TV offers a thorough exploration of the essential practices and techniques required to effectively manage intimate scenes on set. The workshop aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to ensure the safety, comfort, and creative freedom of all involved, while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Throughout the workshop there will be practical exercises for us to explore best practice of intimacy coordinating. Day 1: Understanding Intimacy Coordination Morning Session: Fundamentals of Intimacy Coordination Introduction to Intimacy Coordination: Learn about the role and responsibilities of an intimacy coordinator and why this position is crucial in today’s film and television industry. Creating a Safe Environment: Techniques and best practices for establishing a secure and respectful environment for actors during intimate scenes. Pre-Production Planning: How to integrate intimacy coordination into your pre production processes, including script analysis, casting, and rehearsals. Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating risks associated with intimate scenes, including legal and ethical considerations. Working with Actors: Techniques for building trust and ensuring actors feel safe and respected. Afternoon Session: Analysis of case studies Communication Strategies: Exploring effective communication strategies to ensure clear consent and comfort levels among actors and crew. Tools and Methodologies: Introduction to the various tools and methodologies used to ensure realistic yet safe portrayals of intimacy. Case Study : "Sex Education" Analysis of Intimate Scenes: An in-depth look at how intimacy coordination was crucial in the production of "Sex Education," examining the processes and challenges faced in choreographing intimate scenes. Lessons Learned: Discuss the outcomes and feedback from both the cast and crew on the implemented intimacy protocols. Case Study 2: "Industry HBO" Behind-the-Scenes: A breakdown of the intimacy coordination for "Industry," focusing on specific scenes and the strategies employed to address challenges. Impact Assessment: Evaluating the positive impact of intimacy coordination on the actors' performances and the overall production quality. Case Study 3: "3 Body Problem" Scene Analysis: Analyzing the intimate scene in "3 body problem" and the meticulous planning and coordination that ensured their success. Coordinator’s Perspective: Insights from the intimacy coordinator on the set about the complexities and solutions implemented. Day 2: Implementing Intimacy Coordination Morning Session: Practical Implementation Choreographing Intimate Scenes Detailed insights into choreographing intimate scenes, including the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects to consider. Live Demonstrations: Practical demonstrations of choreographing intimate scenes, allowing participants to observe and understand the coordinator's role in real-time. Interactive Exercises: Hands-on exercises where participants will develop and present their intimacy coordination plans for hypothetical scenes. Afternoon Session: Review Feedback and Discussion: Group discussions and feedback sessions to refine participants’ plans and address any questions or concerns. Conclusion: Moving Forward with Confidence Integrating Practices: Strategies for integrating intimacy coordination into your future projects to enhance actor safety and production quality. This workshop is an invaluable opportunity for producers and directors to deepen their understanding of intimacy coordination, ensuring that their projects are conducted with the highest levels of professionalism and respect for all involved. Participating in this workshop does not automatically qualify you to begin working as an intimacy coordinator. PROFILE OF PARTICIPANT The workshop designed for, Directors, Producers, Actors, Movement coordinators or filmmakers serious about a career in the Film Industry on the area WORKSHOP LOCATION Amsterdam, Netherlands Duration: 2 days 10:00 - 18:00 Dates: 26th - 27th of September 2026 Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands Price: 599EUR (399EUR Until 30th of April) Maximum number of participants: 25 By registering to the workshop you agree with FFL terms and Conditions Please add our address to your email safe senders list, address book or contact list to avoid FEST e-mails in spam. REGISTER FOR THIS WORKSHOP ON THE LINK BELOW