Drake Bell defends parents from critics after documentary film «Silence on the Set»: «They are just learning along with us»
10 april 2024 в 21:15
Drake Bell and some of his former colleagues from Nickelodeon have spoken out in support of their parents after some viewers accused them in connection with revelations in the documentary series «Silence on Set». Drake and the stars of «All That» Giovanni Samuels and Brian Hearne defended their parents from people who questioned what responsibilities parents have towards child performers during a panel discussion at the documentary screening in Los Angeles.
Speaking about people who criticize parents, Drake explained that parents often learn alongside their children. «We often hear 'Where were their parents?'» he said, quoting Entertainment Weekly. «For some of us, this was our first job. Some of our parents were on a set for the first time, and they’re just learning along with us. So to say 'Oh, parents should have intervened in this and that' - no, there should be someone who has experience and can see, oh, this kid is uncomfortable, I can take him or her with their parent and take them here».
The star of the show Amanda continued and said that for parents of child actors, it can be difficult to intervene with the same authority as a more experienced person. «They're just learning along with us and don’t have the experience on these sets to be able to act», - he said.
Brian and Giovanni also agreed that there should be someone on set trained to handle children and help them if they are uncomfortable. Giovanni also highlighted the work of the Looking Ahead program from the Entertainment Community Fund. «It should be someone who is not just from production. You need a mediator between production, the parent, and the child», - she said.
The explosive documentary series «Silence on Set» brought many allegations of misconduct to light, including Drake’s revelation that he was sexually harassed by dialogue coaches. The series led several other former Nickelodeon stars to come forward to speak out and share their experiences. After the release of the documentary, Nickelodeon issued a statement. «Now that Drake Bell has revealed his identity as a plaintiff in a 2004 case, we are saddened and saddened to learn about the trauma he has experienced, and we commend and support the strength needed to come forward», - they said.
The statement also said: «While we cannot confirm or deny allegations of on-set behavior from a decade ago, Nickelodeon, as a matter of policy, investigates all formal complaints within our commitment to creating a safe and professional work environment, free from harassment or other forms of inappropriate behavior. The highest priority for us is the well-being and best interests not only of our employees, actors, and crew, but of all children, and we have taken numerous measures to ensure that we meet our own high standards and the expectations of our audience»
Speaking about people who criticize parents, Drake explained that parents often learn alongside their children. «We often hear 'Where were their parents?'» he said, quoting Entertainment Weekly. «For some of us, this was our first job. Some of our parents were on a set for the first time, and they’re just learning along with us. So to say 'Oh, parents should have intervened in this and that' - no, there should be someone who has experience and can see, oh, this kid is uncomfortable, I can take him or her with their parent and take them here».
The star of the show Amanda continued and said that for parents of child actors, it can be difficult to intervene with the same authority as a more experienced person. «They're just learning along with us and don’t have the experience on these sets to be able to act», - he said.
Brian and Giovanni also agreed that there should be someone on set trained to handle children and help them if they are uncomfortable. Giovanni also highlighted the work of the Looking Ahead program from the Entertainment Community Fund. «It should be someone who is not just from production. You need a mediator between production, the parent, and the child», - she said.
The explosive documentary series «Silence on Set» brought many allegations of misconduct to light, including Drake’s revelation that he was sexually harassed by dialogue coaches. The series led several other former Nickelodeon stars to come forward to speak out and share their experiences. After the release of the documentary, Nickelodeon issued a statement. «Now that Drake Bell has revealed his identity as a plaintiff in a 2004 case, we are saddened and saddened to learn about the trauma he has experienced, and we commend and support the strength needed to come forward», - they said.
The statement also said: «While we cannot confirm or deny allegations of on-set behavior from a decade ago, Nickelodeon, as a matter of policy, investigates all formal complaints within our commitment to creating a safe and professional work environment, free from harassment or other forms of inappropriate behavior. The highest priority for us is the well-being and best interests not only of our employees, actors, and crew, but of all children, and we have taken numerous measures to ensure that we meet our own high standards and the expectations of our audience»
© Puhova Marina
