Check-in
A brief pause during a scene to confirm everyone is still good to continue.
A check-in is a short pause during a scene where partners briefly confirm that everyone involved is still doing okay and wants to continue. It can be as simple as a quick word, a traffic-light-style color, or a specific signal agreed on in advance.
Check-ins are especially useful during longer or more intense scenes, or whenever something unexpected happens — a shift in mood, an unclear reaction, or simply a point where it's worth confirming before continuing further.
A check-in isn't a sign that something has gone wrong; built into a scene from the start, it's a normal, low-friction way of keeping communication open throughout.
Communication & Consent
Agree in advance on what a check-in will sound or look like, especially for scenes where speaking normally might not be possible — a simple non-verbal signal works just as well as a spoken word.
Any answer given during a check-in, including "stop" or "slow down," is honored immediately — a check-in only has value if the answer is allowed to actually change what happens next.
Related Terms
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