Intimate Content Protocols

Since audiobook narrators often work directly with each other, with rights holders, and/or without oversight by directors and producers, it is essential that narrators communicate professionally with each other. This document sets out terms and best practices to assist narrators in self-monitoring to ensure respect and professionalism in their behavior and communications when collaborating on texts of an intimate nature.

This resource was created by Audiobook Narrator Helen Laser and Intimacy Coordinators Brooke M. Haney, Heather María Ács, Nicole Callender, & Rachel F. Finely. Special Thanks to Gail Shalan, André Santana, & Mark Sanderlin.

Definitions

Desexualized Language: Use technical terminology to describe sexual acts or body parts.

When discussing the plot, instead of talking about what you will do, talk about what the characters do. Refrain from making personal or suggestive comments about each other’s performances. An example of desexualizing language is:

• Instead of: “for the sex scene, I’m going to growl to make it hotter…”
• Try: “In Chapter 6, when the characters sleep together, John will need a lower, more commanding tone…”

Deloaded Language: Much like desexualizing language, deloading your language is a way to talk about potentially triggering things without activating someone else. Refrain from ableist, sexist, sexual, racist, homophobic, transphobic, fatphobic or otherwise hurtful language. If something seems like it could be distressing, inconsiderate, or politically incorrect, a good rule of thumb is to avoid saying it, or to again refer to the context of the book. Here’s an example:

• Instead of: “During the rape scene, you will need to inflect your voice…”
• Try: “When John assaults Cara, her lines will have to show her emotional state…”

On an Audiobook Production, Actors Should Feel Comfortable Requesting:

• A full copy of the manuscript or current version in advance of accepting the job;
• An introduction from the producer to your co-narrator, director, and/or engineer;
• A clear description of the content, level of intimacy, notable material or events that may impact your work in the book, and citations of where the potential material exists. This may include: sexual content, BDSM/kink, descriptions of violence, descriptions of non-consensual sexual contact, content in the manuscript that is racist, sexist, fatphobic, homophobic, etc;
• For work to be conducted during normal business hours unless requested in advance of hiring; and
• In-person recordings should not be conducted without a minimum of three people in the building.

Not all projects will be equipped to satisfy these requests, but narrators should still feel encouraged to make the requests.

Actor Responsibilities

Communication and Preparation

• Email – Should be the standard method of communication for audiobooks.
  • Keep it professional
    • Respond in a timely fashion (within two business days)
    • Keep emails work related
  • Desexualized and Deloaded language
    • Remember that some language may be triggering for some folks. You can help your co-narrator work more efficiently by using deloaded and desexualized language.
• Phone – If a phone call or video chat is preferred by an actor, they may request one from their co-narrator, but there should be no retaliation if the other actor declines.
• In-Person – As with phone calls, if an actor desires an in-person meeting for prep, they may request it, knowing that the other actor may say no. There should be no retaliation for an actor refusing to meet in person.
• Check-Ins – Check-ins should be used sparingly and only for work related purposes.
• Personal Conversations – Any personal conversations must happen outside of work emails, calls or meetings.
• Preparation – Narrators should introduce themselves to each other, check in regarding dialects, character choices, and voice samples in a timely manner. For further co-narration best practices, narrators may utilize, reference, and/or adapt, the PANA Co-Narration Standards.

Professional Boundaries

• Establish Boundaries: Before recording, co-narrators should discuss and establish any personal and/or professional boundaries. Ideally a producer, director, or other appropriate third-party involved in the project should be copied on any emails discussing these boundaries.
• Respect Personal Limits: Acknowledge and honor any boundaries your co-narrators set both over email and in-person.
• Personal Connection to Material: Actors often have a personal connection to the material they work on. For charged or intimate content, keep conversations to the given circumstances of the book, and leave personal experience out of your correspondence.
• Deloaded Language: Maintain professionalism in all off-mic interactions. When discussing scenes or character choices, use deloaded and desexualized language.
• Humor: Jokes and other comments should never be sexual or otherwise offensive in a professional environment. Using these jokes to “diffuse tension” is not recommended.

Suggested Ways to Work with Narrators

Recording Session Etiquette

Directors

• Notes should be given with deloaded and desexualized language.
• Give feedback that is specific, objective, and technique-based.
  • Instead of: “Make it sexier.”
  • Try: “Have you considered infusing more breath into this sentence?”
• Using language that addresses tone of voice, tempo, etc., is a helpful tool.

Engineers

• The relationship between actors and engineers is usually technical, and engineers aren’t expected to give acting notes.
• Notes should be confined to technical asks like: distortion, plosives, misreads, mispronunciations, unnecessary noises, etc.
• Normalize Checking In:
  • “How’s everyone feeling about this section before we move on?”
  • Offers of a break, water, etc. are examples of appropriate between-chapter conversation.
• Deloaded Language: Maintain professionalism in all off-mic interactions. Refrain from making personal or suggestive comments about actor’s performances.

Confidentiality

• Protect Privacy: Maintain strict confidentiality regarding a narrator’s pseudonyms or pen-names as well as any concerns or boundaries expressed. Ensure that discussions about their comfort levels are not shared without their consent.

Beyond Audiobook Recording

In-Person Networking Events

• Respect Personal Boundaries:
  • Maintain professional boundaries and behavior.
  • Don’t presume familiarity with co-narrators if it hasn’t been communicated and established outside of a project.
  • Inquire about boundaries, like asking if handshakes or hugs are preferred.
  • Your characters having had intimacy in the book does not give you permission to be physical or otherwise intimate with your co-narrator, even as a joke.

Conflict Resolution and Reporting

• Establish a Reporting Process: If a narrator feels their co-narrator’s behavior is inappropriate/unprofessional, they should have a clear and confidential way to report it to production leadership or the rights holder who hired them.
• Zero Tolerance for Harassment: Sexual Harassment is against the law. If you think you may be experiencing harassment, consult the sexual harassment policy that most applies to your experience and follow that reporting structure. Most organizations and companies have an outlined procedure.
• If Working Under a Union Contract, Please Contact Your Union Representatives.
• If Working Under a Non-Union Contract, Contact The Producer, Director, Rights Holder, or Next Best Contact In Your Situation.

Being placed in a position that requires you to report sexual harassment you’ve experienced or witnessed can be difficult. People often worry their career or professional relationships will be harmed when they report harassment. Our goal is to transform this culture with increased visibility, accountability, and actionable steps. Reporting through appropriate channels and sharing your experiences can help you get support, and also creates a safer environment for those who come after you.

By implementing these protocols, audiobook productions can create a respectful and supportive environment conducive to great performances while ensuring narrators feel safe and valued when engaging with intimate or explicit content.

If you are struggling with your own experience, or would like to learn more about advocacy, consider these national resources from Defend Yourself, and the organization Right To Be. For resources and support around sexual violence, consider visiting the RAINN National Hotline.

Click Here to Download a Copy of the Intimate Content Protocols