“I don’t know if I can grasp the shaft”: Sam Nivola recalls filming THAT scene in ‘White Lotus’

[Intimacy coordinators] are always using anatomically correct vocabulary that feels stale and awkward. I’d be like, ‘I don’t know if I can grasp the shaft,’ and then Mike would be like, ‘Just jerk him off.’ And I’d be like, ‘OK, that I understand.’

I do think intimacy coordinators are a great innovation.

…I was totally nervous. I’m a very anxious person, so I’m always nervous, especially on a big job like that. Doing the sex scene was nerve-racking, and we were on a boat, and I get seasick, so that was f***ing stressful.

The actual scene itself went smoothly. Mike White was sort of calming about it, and I really trusted Patrick and Charlotte.

Sam Nivola talking to Variety about Mike White helping him understand the intimacy coordinator’s language

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