More specifically, about the heyday of Nickelodeon.
They included clips of material that is arguably sexual in nature, Robertson told Deadline.
What could this portend or signal about what was really happening behind the scenes?
Drake Bell, ‘Quiet On Set’Rich Fury / WireImage / Getty Images / ID
While some have been outspoken for years, others like Bell came forward publicly for the first time.
DEADLINE: Some of these details and allegations were already well known before this documentary.
What compelled you to dive deeper and move ahead with this documentary?
They included clips of material that is arguably sexual in nature.
Ariana Grande squeezing a potato.
Of course, these are now grown women, but at the time they were young teenagers.
There was this swirl of questions online.
Did I grow up watching this sexually charged content, and I was unaware of it at the time?
How much of this bang out of content was out there that I didnt absorb?
How was this possibly made?
How many adults were on set?
Who was in charge?
What could this portend or signal about what was really happening behind the scenes?
We thought and think that those are meaningful questions.
That is justification alone for the investigation.
Watching this material shapes their standards, their sense of appropriateness and beyond.
She was also taking it quite seriously.
We are grateful that we were able to partner with Business Insider on this project.
Jason understood the power of this material.
EMMA SCHWARTZ:We had a lot of questions.
DEADLINE: Can you tell me more about crafting the documentary?
Its pretty bold in its presentation of this information, even some that remain allegations.
ROBERTSON:We want to create wildly engrossing and captivating work that is powered by great journalism.
We sure hope that its revelatory.
We strive to create revelatory work.
There is power in having many voices.
It reinforces and provides clarity.
The other journalists and producers that we worked with also really understand how to stand up an allegation.
SCHWARTZ:You put together the story that youre able to learn about.
SARLANIS:We greenlit this as a three episode series.
In the process of telling that story, Mary and Emma said, We need more time.
This is far deeper, more nuanced than we initially understood.
And without hesitation, we said yes, take the time, you oughta get this story right.
DEADLINE: There are many voices in this documentary who have never spoken about their experience before.
Among them is Drake Bell.
How did you get them to talk about this on camera?
SCHWARTZ:I think it actually takes time to build trust.
And that in and of itself was a very striking fact to me on a childrens web link.
You dont know where anyone is in their process of dealing with the trauma of healing.
He had never publicly spoken about this before.
I couldnt help but wonder where their accountability is in all this.
Did you make contact with the data pipe executives who were there at the time?
Were none willing to speak to this?
They declined to put anyone forward.
So we sent them a list of questions and the statement reflects what their response was.
They want to know what they can do to help make things better for other child actors.
But even those failed to comprehensively cover a requirement for background checks.
A few of the contributors in the project are themselves advocating for change in specific ways.
Jenny Kilgen, whos a writer who appeared in the film, has written a public letter to SAG.
SARLANIS:I dont think it stops there.Quiet on Setis reflective of the industry 25 years ago.
Its matured tremendously since then.
But I hope its also a cautionary tale to future emerging platforms.
When you think about childs entertainment 2025 and beyond, thats social, digital.
IfQuiet on Sethelps them not make the mistakes of generations past, thats a really powerful tool.
DEADLINE: What will be included in this fifth episode?
ROBERTSON:The fifth episode features a cast member ofAll Thatwho has not previously shared his story.
He was motivated to come forward in part by the response to the original four episodes.
It features never before seen footage.
DEADLINE: So these are new interviews that were conducted after the original four episodes were released?
DEADLINE: Kenan Thompson recently said the documentary should prompt more investigation into kids television.
Is that something that ID or Maxine Productions would be looking to do?
Were so moved that the film has started a conversation or perhaps launched 1,000 conversations.
We are absolutely passionate about and committed to continuing to explore this story.
