Where steady hands fits in production
supporting the people behind the performance, not just the performance itself.
Steady Hands provides production-aligned wellbeing and performance support for the unique demands of film, television, theatre, touring, and live events.
We work alongside producers, department heads, cast, crew, and support teams to help create sustainable production environments where people can perform at their best.
Steady Hands is part of the growing movement toward mentally healthy productions and production wellbeing infrastructure.
Why Not Just Hire An Intimacy Coordinator?
Intimacy coordinators play an essential role in productions involving intimate content, helping establish boundaries, consent practices, and safety during those specific scenes.
Steady Hands serves a different function.
While intimacy coordinators focus on moments of intimate performance, Steady Hands provides broader production wellbeing and performance support throughout the filming process. This can include emotionally demanding material, performance pressure, long shooting days, transitions between scenes, fatigue, and overall cast and crew wellbeing.
The two roles are not interchangeable—they address different needs and can work alongside one another when appropriate.
Mentally Healthy Productions Are Becoming Industry Infrastructure
This movement is already growing globally through organizations including The Film and TV Charity, 6ft From the Spotlight, Screenwell (AUS) , and broader mentally healthy production initiatives.
psychologically safe sets
burnout prevention
production sustainability
performance consistency
communication under pressure
emotionally demanding material
retention and morale
leadership support
Role
Intimacy Coordinator
Set Medic
Steady Hands
Focus
Consent, boundaries, and intimate content
Physical health and medical emergencies
Production wellbeing, emotional regulation, and sustainable performance
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Productions commonly engage Steady Hands when:
Working with emotionally demanding subject matter
Supporting child or adolescent performers
Filming long or intensive schedules
Managing high-pressure productions
Navigating scenes involving grief, trauma, violence, loss, or other emotionally demanding material
Supporting cast and crew wellbeing during extended projects
Strengthening communication, sustainability, and psychological safety on set
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Brief pre-call check-ins with cast, crew, or department leadership as needed
Quiet availability throughout the day for grounding, regulation, and support
Preparation support before emotionally demanding scenes or high-pressure moments
Post-scene decompression following particularly intense material
Support during schedule changes, delays, or challenging production days
End-of-day check-ins when appropriate
The goal is not to interrupt production, but to help people remain regulated, focused, and able to perform at their best throughout the day.
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Initial consultation
Discuss production needs and schedule
Determine support structure
On-set or consulting engagement
Ongoing communication as needed
Every production is different. Engagements typically begin with an initial consultation to discuss the project's needs, schedule, team size, and areas where support may be most beneficial.
From there, support can be structured as consultation, workshops and trainings, embedded on-set support, or a combination of services depending on the production's goals.
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No.
Steady Hands is not a therapy service, counseling practice, or clinical treatment program.
While the work is informed by professional mental health training and evidence-based approaches to emotional regulation, Steady Hands operates as a non-clinical, production-aligned support service.
The focus is on helping cast and crew navigate the demands of production environments through practical wellbeing support, emotional regulation tools, stress management strategies, and sustainable work practices.
Steady Hands does not provide diagnosis, psychotherapy, crisis intervention, or ongoing mental health treatment.
When appropriate, individuals may be encouraged to seek support from licensed healthcare providers, employee assistance programs, or other clinical resources.
Think of Steady Hands as part of the production support team—not a replacement for mental health care.
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On-set availability for cast and crew
Emotional regulation and grounding support
Performance and stress-management tools
Support surrounding emotionally demanding material
Communication and wellbeing consultation with leadership when appropriate
Resource referrals when additional support is needed
Steady Hands works alongside producers, department heads, and existing support personnel while remaining aligned with production goals, schedules, and workflow.
Support can be tailored to productions of varying sizes, schedules, and budgets.
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Not every production requires embedded support.
Consultation services help productions proactively consider wellbeing, communication, and sustainability throughout the production process.
Areas of support may include:
Pre-production planning and consultation
Identifying potential wellbeing challenges and pressure points
Communication and culture recommendations
Leadership and department head support
Guidance surrounding emotionally demanding content
Recommendations for mentally healthy production practices
Consultations can be provided as one-time planning sessions or as ongoing support throughout a production.
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Training and education offerings are designed for productions, creative teams, educational programs, and industry organizations.
Topics may include:
Mental Health on Set 101
Burnout & Emotional Sustainability in Creative Industries
Communication Under Pressure
Emotional Regulation for Performers & Creatives
Touring & Performance Wellness
Production Culture & Psychological Safety
Leadership & Emotional Climate on Productions
Supporting Cast & Crew Through High-Stress Productions
Supporting Young Performers
Emotionally Demanding Content & Production Wellbeing
Workshops can be delivered virtually or in person and tailored to the specific needs of a production, organization, or team.
RESOURCES
How Is Support Coordinated?
Support is typically coordinated through production leadership, producers, AD teams, or department heads depending on the structure of the production.
Does this interrupt workflow?
No. Support is intentionally designed to integrate alongside production pace and scheduling.
Is travel available?
Yes, with advance coordination.
Is this confidential?
Yes. Conversations are treated with discretion and confidentiality within standard safety, ethical, and production-related boundaries.
Is support available for prep or wrap?
Yes. Support can be structured around prep, active production, or post-production decompression.
Can this support cast and crew?
Yes. Steady Hands supports both cast and crew through wellbeing resources, emotional regulation support, communication guidance, and production-aligned wellbeing practices.