Marean Spero Steen, National Director of American Humane Hollywood

Summary

Robin's Nest from American Humane
Episode: Marean Spero Steen, National Director of American Humane Hollywood
Host: Dr. Robin Ganzert
Release Date: June 5, 2024

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Introduction

In this enlightening episode of Robin's Nest, host Dr. Robin Ganzert welcomes Marianne Spiro Steen, the National Director of American Humane Hollywood's iconic No Animals Were Harmed program. Marianne shares her extensive experience and passion for ensuring the humane treatment of animals in the entertainment industry. The conversation delves into the intricacies of animal safety on sets, the challenges faced by American Humane, and the profound impact of their work on both animals and filmmakers.

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Personal Connection: Marianne's Dog Lily

Marianne begins the discussion by introducing her beloved rescue dog, Lily. At [01:31], she recounts Lily’s challenging beginnings and their adventurous cross-country journey to Los Angeles:

Marianne Spiro Steen [01:31]: "I flew to Oklahoma to pick her up, and the plan was to bring her back by plane in a little crate, but she was so big that she wouldn't fit properly into the crate, and the airline would not let me fly with her. So I ended up renting a car and we drove cross country from Oklahoma City to Los Angeles."

Lily’s spirited and sweet nature underscores Marianne’s deep love for animals, highlighting the personal commitment she brings to her professional role.

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The "No Animals Were Harmed" Program

At [03:04], Marianne provides an overview of the No Animals Were Harmed program, emphasizing its comprehensive guidelines for the safe use of animals in filmed media:

Marianne Spiro Steen [03:04]: "The heart of the No Animals Were Harmed program is our comprehensive guidelines for the safe use of animals in filmed media... it sets rigorous species-specific protocols and is regularly reviewed and updated by our scientific advisory committee."

She explains the meticulous process American Humane follows—from script reviews and pre-production consultations to on-set inspections by certified animal safety reps. This ensures that animal welfare is prioritized, culminating in the certification that appears in film credits.

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Species Diversity and International Expansion

Marianne elaborates on the vast array of animals American Humane works with, spanning from ants to tigers ([05:01]):

Marianne Spiro Steen [05:01]: "It really runs the gamut from ants and insects to big tigers. Our philosophy is that no animal, whether it's a little insect or a big tiger, should be harmed for the sake of entertainment."

With the globalization of film production, Marianne discusses the program’s expansion beyond traditional hubs like Los Angeles and London to locations such as Eastern Europe, Thailand, and Korea ([05:59]). This international growth necessitates a larger team of certified reps and increased educational efforts to align global productions with American Humane’s standards.

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Challenges in Implementing Animal Safety Guidelines

One of the primary challenges Marianne identifies is ensuring that productions understand and adhere to the stringent guidelines set by American Humane ([09:54]). Early communication and involvement are crucial to prevent disruptions during filming:

Marianne Spiro Steen [09:54]: "The biggest challenge is having production understand what it means to meet our guidelines and to be in touch with American Humane as early as possible."

Additionally, the rapid increase in content production, especially post-COVID with the surge in streaming services, has stretched the team’s capacity to cover more sets globally ([18:33]).

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Trends in Hollywood: Balancing Real Animals and CGI

Marianne observes that animals will continue to play a significant role in films due to their emotional impact on audiences ([10:52]). However, she notes a trend towards integrating CGI to enhance animal action safely:

Marianne Spiro Steen [10:52]: "We see CGI being used to enhance animal action... This keeps it safe while still utilizing real animal performances."

This balance allows for creative storytelling without compromising animal welfare, showcasing the adaptability of the No Animals Were Harmed program in the evolving landscape of filmmaking.

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Marianne’s Career Path and Passion for Storytelling

Marianne shares her journey into the animal acting space, rooted in her love for movies and storytelling ([12:25]). With a background in film and television production, she transitioned to the nonprofit sector, ultimately finding a role that combines her passions for storytelling and animal welfare:

Marianne Spiro Steen [12:25]: "This role allows me to pull all those elements together— a love of storytelling, a love of animals, and a desire to promote the human-animal bond."

Her decade-long tenure at American Humane underscores her dedication to preserving the privilege of working with animal actors while ensuring their safety and well-being.

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Hero Dog Awards: Celebrating Remarkable Canines

Marianne highlights the Hero Dog Awards, an event that honors service dogs and their impactful relationships with their owners ([14:18]). She expresses immense satisfaction in meeting these extraordinary animals and showcasing their stories:

Marianne Spiro Steen [14:18]: "To honor these animals and their stories is just so powerful. It touches the hearts of everyone involved."

The awards not only celebrate the dogs but also emphasize the profound bond between humans and animals, reinforcing the mission of American Humane.

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Impactful Stories: The Difference Made by American Humane

Several compelling anecdotes illustrate the critical role of American Humane in safeguarding animal welfare on sets. At [20:16], Marianne recounts a situation where a rep noticed a horse losing weight due to seasonal changes and intervened to ensure the animal received adequate nourishment:

Marianne Spiro Steen [20:16]: "Our rep noticed that a horse was losing weight and quickly coordinated with the producer to provide additional nourishment, making a significant difference in the horse's well-being."

In another instance ([22:00]), a rep assisted a low-budget filmmaker in responsibly handling ducklings by establishing care protocols and securing forever homes for the animals post-production. These stories underscore the proactive and compassionate efforts of American Humane to protect animals beyond the immediate filming needs.

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Humorous Anecdotes: Light-Hearted Moments

Marianne shares a memorable and humorous encounter with an A-list director who insisted on delaying production due to extreme heat, highlighting the sometimes challenging but necessary negotiations to protect animals:

Marianne Spiro Steen [23:38]: "I listened, I heard the director out, and I said very calmly, this is non-negotiable. We have to protect those animals, and you have to protect your cast and crew."

This anecdote not only adds a lighter tone to the conversation but also emphasizes the unwavering commitment of American Humane to animal safety, even when faced with high-pressure situations.

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Conclusion

The episode concludes with Marianne expressing gratitude for the opportunity to educate and advocate for animal welfare in the entertainment industry. Her dedication, illustrated through personal stories and professional challenges, highlights the indispensable role American Humane plays in promoting a more humane world for all animals.

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Notable Quotes:

• Marianne Spiro Steen [03:04]: "It establishes the standards that need to be met to keep animals safe in film media... it is our North Star and it also is a living document."

• Marianne Spiro Steen [05:01]: "It really runs the gamut from ants and insects to big tigers."

• Marianne Spiro Steen [12:25]: "This role allows me to pull all those elements together— a love of storytelling, a love of animals, and a desire to promote the human-animal bond."

• Marianne Spiro Steen [18:33]: "With COVID and the explosion of streaming, there has been an explosion of content. We have anywhere from 20 to 25% more sets to cover."

• Marianne Spiro Steen [20:16]: "Our rep noticed that a horse was losing weight and quickly coordinated with the producer to provide additional nourishment."

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This episode of Robin's Nest offers a comprehensive look into the vital work of American Humane Hollywood, showcasing how dedicated individuals like Marianne Spiro Steen are making a meaningful impact on animal welfare in the entertainment industry.

Transcript

[Robin]

Welcome to Robin's Nest. So many of us have a deep connection with the animals around us and want to protect them from the pets in our homes to endangered species in the wild. That's why I joined American Humane. As one of the oldest and most effective animal protection groups, we help billions of animals around the world. Join us as we explore how we can build a more humane world together. I am so excited to introduce you to our guest today, Marianne Spiro Steen. Marianne serves as the National Director of American Humane, Hollywood's iconic no Animals Were Harmed program, which has made the protection of animal actors its duty for over 80 years. Let's listen to her conversation with Georgia.

[Georgia]

Marian, thank you so much for joining us today on Robin's Nest. It's a pleasure to have you here. How are you?

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Oh, I'm doing great. I'm so happy to be here. I love this format that Robin has established, and it's very exciting.

[Georgia]

Yes. American Humane has so many arms to it, so it's so important to be able to talk to all of the different programs and learn about them so that we can educate everyone on what's going on here at American Humane.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Yeah. Awesome.

[Georgia]

Yes. So let's just start first with your personal life and the furry friends that are in your life. We just had Lily in the background, so let's hear about Lily.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Okay. Well, Lily is 18 months, and Lily is a sort of rescue. She was with. She was part of a group of pups with a breeder who was not the best breeder. And so she had a tough early life. And I fetched her from Oklahoma. I flew to Oklahoma to pick her up, and the plan was to bring her back by plane in a little crate, but she was so big that she wouldn't fit properly into the crate, and the airline would not let me fly with her. So I ended up renting a car and we drove cross country from Oklahoma City to Los Angeles. So she is my love. She is high energy and very spirited and very sweet. So we feel lucky to have and.

[Georgia]

A cross country trip with her. That's awesome.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

It could have been the beginning of a movie, right?

[Georgia]

Exactly.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Cross country and stop for barbecue in Texas and things like that.

[Georgia]

Oh, my gosh. I love. Very fun.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Yeah.

[Georgia]

And you guys just have the one dog right now?

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

We do just have the one. Yeah.

[Georgia]

Okay. Gotcha. Oh, that's so fun. Yes. We all have our own furry hero dog at home, so I like to ask everybody.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Exactly. They really make. They make life a lot richer. They're fun and yeah, yeah, it's been quite an adventure.

[Georgia]

Yes. So you are the vice president of the Humane Hollywood program at American Humane, which is a long standing program for the organization. Can you tell us about what you all do?

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Sure, absolutely. Well, the heart of the no Animals Were Harmed program is our comprehensive guidelines for the safe use of animals in filmed media. And this really informs everything that we do. It establishes the standards that need to be met to keep animals safe in film media, to maintain their welfare. And it sets forth rigorous species specific protocols. And it is our North Star and it also is a living document. It's regularly reviewed and updated by our scientific advisory committee. And we want to make sure that it is updated because we want to be sure that we and our guidelines reflect the current science. So that's really the heart of the program. And our mission is to help ensure that no animals are harmed. American Humane takes extraordinary steps to ensure the safety of animals on film sets. And it all begins before cameras even start rolling. And we start with a rigorous script review. We identify potentially intense animal action, which is followed by pre production consultations and meetings with producers, directors and crew. Because we want to make sure that we fully understand what they want to achieve and we want to also in turn have them understand what's expected so that they can be certified no animals were harmed. And once on set, our trained certified animal safety repair, they do a detailed inspection of the set and environment where the animals are. The rep makes certain that the animals are healthy and fit, that they're acclimated to the film set, that they're capable of the planned action. And then they ensure ultimately that our guidelines are implemented and they document all this, which is part of our process for certifying the no Animals were Harmed end credit.

[Georgia]

Right, right. Which is one that everyone I feel knows about and has seen before. Now, when you say that you work all different types of species, can you run through the list of what types of animals you have worked with?

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Sure. It really runs the gamuts from ants and insects and fish and lobster and shrimp and pigs and goats and cats and dogs and hamsters and rabbits and horses and big tigers. So it really starts with the tiniest little ant to a huge animal. And our concept and our philosophy and mission is that it doesn't, whether it's a little insect or a big tiger, that they are working in the entertainment industry and we want to ensure that they are kept safe, that no animal should be harmed for the sake of entertainment.

[Georgia]

Right, Absolutely. And I feel like the the industry as a Whole has changed so much over the years from it originally being just movie sets and TV sets in Hollywood. And it's kind of expanded ever since streaming happened and shows being shot all around the world. So how has that changed the program?

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Yeah, we were primarily. We used to primarily be a domestic program. Almost 70, 80% of the work was done in the United States. And what has changed over the last few years is that productions, US Productions and studios are increasingly working overseas. Everyone is chasing tax credits. And so our international work has exploded in the last five or six years, and our team of certified animal safety reps has also grown. We have almost 30 international certified animal safety reps that work all around the world. And we find that a place like London will be as busy a production hub as Los Angeles on any given day. And so it really has shifted. And also productions have moved beyond even traditional locations like London. They are shooting a great deal in Eastern Europe and Czech Republic in Poland. They're shooting in Thailand, they're shooting in Korea. So really, we are based. You know, we are wherever animals are working, and they're working increasingly all around the world.

[Georgia]

Right. And with all of these new locations, are there new species that you're working with? Is the list continuing to grow?

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

I would say that the. The animal kingdom remains intact, and we're working with the same kinds of animals. But you might find maybe there are more exotic animals working in Thailand that different countries will have different kind of philosophies and standards around anim. And so that's something that does come into play where we want to be sure to educate people working in places that are not traditional production hubs to understand our guidelines and our safety standards. So there's a lot of education in what we do when we work internationally, and we have tried in that to accomplish that. We also have tried to translate some of our advisories, so it makes it easier for production and crew to understand, Right?

[Georgia]

Absolutely. Is there a particular animal that you enjoy working with the most?

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Well, I think, you know, of course, I have a soft spot for dogs, and I think horses also are just amazing. They are just these beautiful, powerful creatures and yet very delicate. And, you know, to see them in action is really just amazing. So I would say I love them all. It's always interesting when we work with fish because a lot of times fish are considered props. You know, they. It might like, if the script says, okay, there's a fish tank in this kid's bedroom, it might start with the prop department. And it's not a prop. And which is really, those are the origins of our program in that animals are not props. No animal would be a prop. So there is around fish. There can be a lot of education that we do to make sure that production understands all the elements that have to be employed. Place the water, the tank, someone to supervise on a regular basis, making sure they have energy and they have a backup should there be a power outage. So I think that some animals are more complicated to work with, surprisingly like you think fish would not be. But I think that there are some that really require a lot of diligence.

[Georgia]

Yeah, absolutely. It's funny that you mentioned that too, because my sister the other day watched a movie and she said, oh, I saw the, no animals were harmed, but I didn't see any animals in the movie. But it could have just been a fish tank in the child's room or something like that. They, you know, they integrated throughout the movie and you might not even pick up on it.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Exactly. And sometimes it'll be very quick. Like they may have spent several days shooting scenes with animals, but then they get into the editing room and they decide, oh, we're going to cut this, we're going to only use a snippet of that. So you know, they have the intentions because they've spent money to produce and to film that those scenes. But it can change. There's a lot of variables from the pre production to actually what ends up in the film.

[Georgia]

Right. And speaking of those variables, what are the biggest challenges that you'll encounter when doing your work?

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Yeah, I think it's having production understand what it means to meet our guidelines, understand our guidelines, and also be in touch with American Humane as early as possible. So they need to recruit the animals. They, you know, they need to have a plan for that. And with some productions who haven't worked with us before, they may not be familiar with our time schedule. The best thing is to contact American Humane early because we offer pre production consultation and we offer meetings and advice early on so that once they start filming, there will be no interruption. You know, it's not our intention to slow any production down. And when we have early communication and opportunity to ask questions and discuss, those are really the best outcomes.

[Georgia]

Right, right. That makes sense. And as far as the trends, the moving trends or the ever trends in Hollywood, what are you seeing now as far as having animals in movies and people using American Humane?

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Yeah, I think that animals will continue to play a big part in movies. I think that they just tap into emotions for people. I mean, there is nothing like seeing dogs and cats and horses on film. So I don't think that we're going to see a reduct in filming with animals. And I think that's why it's so important that American Maine be there to ensure that our privilege of working with animal actors is maintained and that the animals are kept safe. I do see CGI being used, for example, to enhance animal action. Maybe they are working with horses. They have a running scene with horses and they might do it in a slower motion, or they might execute the action simply in a more simple way. And then they would use CGI to amplify it, to add extra horses to increase the speed. And I think that's a really great way because it keeps it safe. You still have the reality of working with real animals, the eyes, etc. But you're able to maximize the effect and take advantage of technology.

[Georgia]

Yeah, absolutely. That is very cool, to partner the animal with cgi to really get the ultimate effects.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Exactly. And it doesn't happen all the time, but there are some productions where we see that and I think it's a really great thing to see.

[Georgia]

Yeah, well, let's. Let's rewind back to you. I mean, this is such a unique job and you're clearly an expert in what you do. How in the world did you come into this field and what do you love most about it?

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Yeah, well, I have always had a love for movies and for storytelling, and I've always believed in their potential to educate, to raise awareness, to show you something that you don't know. And I also think they have the potential to touch the heart and to uplift. I mean, for me, there's nothing like the experience of seeing a great movie and film. Media also is a powerful tool to promote the human animal bond. So this role allows me to pull all those elements together. A love of storytelling, a love of animals, and a desire to do whatever I can to promote the human animal bond by using film. And as I mentioned, I do think it is a privilege that we have of working with animal actors. And I want to do everything we can to preserve that privilege, keep animals safe and still allow filmmakers to tell these powerful stories that potentially do promote the human animal bond. So that's a really big part of. Of it. And. Yeah, so.

[Georgia]

So how did you fall into the animal acting space?

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Yeah, I worked for many years in the film and television business. I was a development and production executive for many years, and I oversaw various aspects, finding projects, selling projects, working with writers, and overseeing production And I had transitioned to the non profit space and I had been working with an artist residency program, helping them with operations and finance. And I saw this opportunity posted and I thought, oh, my goodness, this would really combine all the things that I really love. And I applied for the job and one thing led to another and I've now been here for 10 years. Amazing.

[Georgia]

It's unbelievable. Very cool. And you and your team participates in the Hero Dog awards. So the 2023 Hero Dog Awards is coming up. It'll be airing on A and E&FYI, and your team's involved in that. What do you love most about the Hero Dog Awards?

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Well, I love meeting the dogs, of course, and the owners. And also we do an amazing job capturing the lives of these animals and the impact they've had on their owners through our videos. And there isn't a Hero Dog Awards that the table is not crying after seeing these videos. So it is so powerful. We really make a difference. To honor these animals and their stories is just so powerful. And whenever I talk to people about the Hero Dog Awards, they're always like, oh, my God, I've got to go. And they're just. It just touches the heart of every single person. And. Yeah, so I love, I love the stories. I love meeting them and I love hearing their stories and I love hearing the impact these service dogs have. Yeah, it's a huge, huge difference. So it's very powerful.

[Georgia]

Yeah, they really are extraordinary dogs. So this is kind of an off the cuff question, but if you could be any animal, what animal would you be?

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Oh, I would be a lion. I just love lions. Just love lions. And so when I go to a zoo, I'm. I'm just captivated by their eyes, by their movement, their regalness. I just, I love them.

[Georgia]

And you've had. And you've worked with lions on sets before.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

You know what? We have, but I have not been on set with a lot.

[Georgia]

Oh, wow. Okay.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Yeah, so I'm gonna have to try to work that in.

[Georgia]

Yeah, you gotta. Yeah, somehow get that in. Yeah, I feel like lions get integrated into films quite a bit. So you could somehow make that work.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Exactly. Sometimes they've even been incorporated in photo shoots. True brand campaign. So, yes, I'm gonna have to make that. Put that on my. To do my bucket list.

[Georgia]

Yeah, put it on your bucket list.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Yeah.

[Georgia]

And so American humane is there also for photo shoots, brand campaigns, things like that as well.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Absolutely. It'll be music videos, it ranges, whatever kind of film media. And at times there will also be live performances, like, for example, the Hero Dog Award gala that gets broadcast. And our certified animal safety reps will be there to ensure that the animals are kept safe during those live broadcasts too. So it runs the gamut. Yeah, it's in lots of categories.

[Georgia]

Yeah. Now, what would you say is the biggest challenge that you and your team always face?

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Well, I think that a challenge is being everywhere all the time when we're needed. And we continue to build out our team of certified animal safety reps because we want to be where we are needed. But schedules change. A rep may not be available. There are a lot of variables that change from day to day, and we may also get last minute notice about something. So it's the challenge, I think, of being where we are needed and we want to cover everything. And sometimes that's not possible.

[Georgia]

Right. Especially as you were saying, geographically, as things are more and more spread out, I can imagine it's much trickier.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Exactly. Because even I mentioned, I talked about the international locations, but the same thing has happened in the States where New York, Atlanta, Louisiana, those would be traditional production hubs. And we have a number of reps in those locations because we know there's almost always work there. However, now people are shooting in Nashville and they're shooting in Oklahoma City, and they're shooting in Santa Fe and they're shooting in Boulder. I mean, they are all over the country. And so making sure that we can get a rep to travel to that location in time to be there is, you know, it's something. Every day we, we strive to cover everything. And I think it's our biggest challenge when we can't.

[Georgia]

Right, right. That makes sense.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

It hurts us. It hurts us when we can't be there. Yeah, right.

[Georgia]

And I feel like all, you know, in regards to every program at American Humane, it's, we want to help animals wherever or whenever they're in need. So I can imagine how difficult it can be. Also, there' just a lot more production companies out there today. So you have a lot more clients that you need to cover.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Exactly. I mean, with COVID and the explosion of streaming, there has been an explosion of content. So we have, you know, anywhere from 20 to 25% more sets to cover. And we continue to grow our team because our goal is to cover everything. But it has really been, you know, an exciting time to see this much content being produced. But also it's come with some challenges because we want to, as you said, be there wherever we're needed.

[Georgia]

Yeah. And, you know, are there specific Animal actors that perhaps someone on your team always works with or has encountered numerous times, or do you find that your team is coming across new and different animal actors?

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Yeah, I think it's a mix. I think there are new animal actors coming up the pipe. But I also think that there are horses, for example, that regularly work on westerns, and the trainers know each other, and maybe they'll come from Los Angeles and they'll work in New Mexico. Also in the exotic world, there are some regular animal actors that are well known. So I think it's a combination. I think reps that work quite a bit, particularly if they work a lot of horse work, they'll know a lot of the horses.

[Georgia]

They'll know all of them.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Yeah, yeah, they'll know a lot. And then there will be some new ones.

[Georgia]

Right, right. So is there a fan favorite on your team of some that people are like, oh, I love working with this horse, or, you know, this cat?

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Yeah, I think that there. There are. They recognize them and they know the trainers and they know. They get to know their personalities, especially in places like New York or la, where you'll see the same animals working and they'll be working more frequently. Yeah.

[Georgia]

Oh, that's special because it just adds another layer to that bond and piece of work that you guys are doing.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Definitely. And it really personalizes it. You also get to see that animal. If you see someone who. An animal that's newly trained, you get to see them evolve and grow stronger. And so it's a really. And our certified animal safety reps, that may be one of the best parts of my work, because it is so exciting to see what they do every day and the impact they have. And they are fierce advocates. They work tirelessly for the animals, and they really make a huge contribution. We had a situation just a few weeks ago where a rep had been on a set with hors, and they were working over multiple months. And at the beginning, the horses looked really robust and really great. And as we moved into fall and there was less grass for them to feed on, the rep noticed, oh, I think that this horse may be losing a little bit of weight. And she jumped into action, got together with the producer and made sure that those animals were getting additional nourishment. And so that really made a huge difference. And she was right there to see and to track what was going on. So it's. It really is gratifying to see the difference we make.

[Georgia]

Yeah, I was just about to say that, like, how gratifying and how important is the work that you all do, because otherwise someone might not have noticed that. And so it, it improves the life of that horse. And she was able to make that change.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Yeah, absolutely. And acted quickly. Yeah. And there was another situation where we had a low budget film and we love to work with low budget filmmakers because we feel we're educating them and they're going to be the next generation of humane filmmakers. But this film called for ducklings and the producer had ordered, which is amazing, you can actually order ducklings online and have them delivered to the location. And our rep was on set and realized that this was a young filmmakers and there wasn't anyone who knew how to take care of these ducklings. And our rep got into action. She created a protocol. She tutored them on how to hold the ducklings, how to feed them, what the temperature should be, she created a checklist for them, what times they were doing things. I mean, she orchestrated everything to make sure that those animals were going to be kept safe. And then equally important, she wanted to make sure that once the filmmaking was done and their short lived film career was going to be over, that they had a forever home. And so she was instrumental in finding that forever home with a local family in the town. So it was a really sweet, sweet story. They were very well intentioned and it's very exciting to work with new filmmakers, but they have limited budgets and limited experience and, you know, it made all the difference for American Humane to be there on that set.

[Georgia]

Right. Thank goodness you guys were there.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Yes.

[Georgia]

And that happens often too, especially with like the little ducklings. You know, everyone's oh, they're so cute. And then they grow up and they're like, well, now what do we do? So how amazing that she could place them into a nice home.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Exactly. I mean, we really fulfilled the mission on this.

[Georgia]

Yeah, you guys did your job there. That's awesome.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Exactly.

[Georgia]

Oh, that's wonderful. So, Marian, do you have any funny stories that you could share with us?

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Well, I think it's funny. One thing we've been seeing is that the last couple of summers have had extreme heat. And it has really been important for us to make sure that animals are not working in extreme heat and that they stop production. And this summer I got a call from one of our reps out of the blue. And the rep said, I'm standing with the director for this project and the director wants to speak with you. So obviously he couldn't share with me what was going on. And this director, who is an A list director, very famous Very successful. I'm sure it has been a long time since anyone has told this director no. Gets on the phone and says, your rep has told us that we have to delay production for several hours. We're losing time, we're losing money. Why is this happening? We've got to do something about it. You have to agree. And I listened, I heard the director out, and I said, this is non negotiable. I mean, this is just non negotiable. And I think he was taken aback because he was expecting a yes presence, a yes. And I just said very calmly, I appreciate all these concerns, but there, it's just non negotiable. And we have to protect those animals, and you have to protect your cast and crew. And so it was kind of a special moment for me because I do really love this director, and we were able to, you know, kind of raise his awareness around heat and animals and stress.

[Georgia]

So I love it. You educated may not be that fun. You put him in his place. Yeah, no, exactly. It. Which probably never happens for him. So that's awesome.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Yeah.

[Georgia]

So Marian to the rescue. All right. Well, that's great. Well, thank you so much for coming on Robin's Nest today. It's so beneficial for our listeners to be able to understand our programs and everything that goes into what we do. So having an expert like you is a very special time for us. Excellent. So thank you so much for joining us and. And I'll see you soon.

[Marianne Spiro Steen]

Okay, great. Thank you.

[Robin]

Thank you so much for being with us today and being part of Robin's Nest. Here's some of my nest members right here with Mr. Darcy. Special thanks to Georgia for hosting these incredible guests today and being part of Robin's Nest. But most of all, we are grateful for you. Thank you for listening to this episode, and we look forward to providing more information and content on how we can together build a more humane world.