Make It Look Real
| Make It Look Real | |
|---|---|
Official poster | |
| Directed by | Kate Blackmore |
| Written by | Kate Blackmore |
| Produced by | Bethany Bruce Daniel Joyce |
| Starring | Claire Warden |
| Cinematography | Justine Kerrigan |
| Edited by | Elliott Magen |
| Music by | Benjamin Speed |
Production companies | Staple Fiction Projector Films |
| Distributed by | Bonsai Films (Australia) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 78 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
Make It Look Real is a 2024 Australian documentary film directed by Kate Blackmore. The film follows intimacy coordinator Claire Warden during the staging of simulated sex scenes for a fictional film production, examining consent, boundaries, and professional practice in screen intimacy coordination. It combines observational documentary footage with staged sequences created for the production.[1][2]
The film premiered at the Adelaide Film Festival in October 2024 and subsequently screened at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival and the Sydney Film Festival.[1][3][4] It received critical attention from international outlets for its depiction of intimacy coordination as a standardised on-set practice.[5][6][7] Variety noted the film's detailed observation of Warden's work and its emphasis on choreography, communication and performer safety.[6] Jezebel described the documentary as a procedural examination of the role and its increasing visibility within the film industry.[7]
Synopsis
Intimacy coordinator Claire Warden collaborates with a director and performers on the fictional film Tightrope to choreograph intimate scenes and negotiate consent and boundaries, including discussions around nudity agreements and modesty garments. The documentary incorporates behind-the-scenes process footage alongside staged sequences developed specifically for the production.[1][3]
Participants
- Claire Warden – intimacy coordinator
- Sarah Roberts – actor
- Albert Mwangi – actor
- Tom Davis – actor
- Kieran Darcy-Smith – actor and director
Production
Make It Look Real is Blackmore's feature-length documentary debut. It was produced by Bethany Bruce and Daniel Joyce for Staple Fiction and Projector Films, with support from Screen Australia, Screen NSW and the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund.[3][2][8] According to Bruce, the filmmakers were unable to film on an active set and instead created a controlled environment in which to stage and document intimacy coordination practices.[3]
Release
The film had its world premiere at the Adelaide Film Festival in October 2024.[1][3] It later screened at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival in 2025 and the Sydney Film Festival in June 2025.[3][4]
Streaming
In Australia, the film was released on Netflix in July 2025.[9][10]
Reception
Critical response focused on the film's depiction of intimacy coordination as an emerging standard practice within screen production. Reviewing the film at SXSW, RogerEbert.com argued that the documentary presents intimacy coordinators as a necessary counterpart to established on-set safety roles.[5] KT of fyrpodcast rated the documentary 4 stars out of 5 and "praised the clear, respectful approach to topics often handled clumsily in the industry, underscoring the ongoing need for sensitivity and care on set."[11] Erik Childress of Movie Madness Podcast rated 3 stars out of 5.[12]
References
- ^ a b c d "Make It Look Real". Adelaide Film Festival. 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Make It Look Real (2024)". Screen Australia. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Going behind the scenes with Make It Look Real producer Bethany Bruce". Screen NSW. 18 July 2025. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Make It Look Real". Sydney Film Festival. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ a b Lee, Zachary (17 March 2025). "SXSW Film Festival 2025: 42nd Street, The Spies Among Us, Make It Look Real". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ a b Hailu, Selome (14 March 2025). "SXSW 2025 Best and Worst: Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Kidman and More". Variety. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ a b Heinrichs, Audra (11 March 2025). "'Make It Look Real' Should Be Required Watching for All of Hollywood's Intimacy Coordinator Haters". Jezebel. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ "Screen Australia announces $3 million for 13 documentaries". Screen Australia. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ Ward, Sarah (3 July 2025). "Everything Streaming on Netflix in July 2025". Variety Australia. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ "Make It Look Real". Netflix. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ "SFF – Mistress Dispeller, Farming the Revolution & How to Train Your Dragon". fyrpodcast.com.
- ^ "Make it Look Real | Audience Reviews | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com.