Rachel was an incredible intimacy coordinator, and she was a vital role in creating our film. She advocated for what she and the actors needed during scenes so that I could achieve the visual narrative I wanted without pushing any emotional limits. Rachel and I could collaborated on shots when we needed to maximize comfortability of the actors, without shots and cinematic style being compromised. If you need a solid IC who will work with not only your actors but your crew, Rachel is definitely your person. Couldn’t recommend her more!

I think most of us can agree seeing an intimate scene, in a script, ignites some level of fear or discomfort. Not because of the scene itself but because of the treatment one may experience on a set. Even with the most professional of sets these feelings may arise on some level. Insert Rachel Carothers. This kind and beautiful soul made sure I was not only heard and seen but also protected. As the only woman in a cast and crew of only men, Rachel was a voice and often times a confidante. She also has a background in stunts which came in handy, as there were many scenes requiring fight choreography. I can only speak for myself but I’m sure the rest of the production would attest to the great pleasure it was having Rachel with us. If there’s a question of who, for your Intimacy and/or Fight Director- the answer is one thousand times, Rachel.

As the concept and tone of my most recent film began to take shape, it was immediately apparent that we would be tackling a variety of complicated and nuanced topics that were intimidating to me as a young writer and director— race, sexuality, nudity, assault, and self-harm. I was confident my team could create a film that was visually stunning, but less confident in my own ability to navigate these more sensitive spaces without inadvertently compromising the culture of transparency, respect, and safety on set that I was committed to providing for my talent and crew. Fortunately for me, bringing Rachel onto our team could not have been easier or more beneficial for the film. From pre-production meetings and script analysis through to intimacy coordination and stunt choreography on set, Rachel was an absolute pro and an incredible asset to the project. She is thoughtful, conscientious, and an incredible advocate, and still manages to deliver beautiful visuals and impactful moments without ever compromising the story. Her passion for filmmaking is rivaled only by her passion for those around her, and her focus and attention to detail gave me the freedom to operate in my role at my highest level without restraint or distraction. If I could, I would have Rachel on every project I ever direct. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

When in high school, I was in a production of Monster, a show that was filled with stories that offered many new experiences for us as young actors. For instance, my character was a nanny who would breastfeed the child in care. I was freshly eighteen and had no clue how to breastfeed, the very idea was intimidating but I knew I wouldn’t have to do it alone. Carothers always made our theatre company feel like a safe space, my scene was handled in the same way that the other even more intense and intimate scenes were, with genuine care and respect. My costume ensured that my chest was fully protected with extra layers and the blocking helped mimic the act without putting too much stress on me.
The blocking went through several changes but I never once felt exposed because the extra layers offered me a safety net. All this was done in true Carothers fashion, extra scene rehearsals, having us attend fight/intimacy calls and conversations of how we felt afterwards. We worked together to make sure that I felt comfortable as a performer and at such a young age it was so refreshing. I was very lucky to have such a wonderful teacher who helped me and others navigate such an intense and important story to tell.