and wants to sell them and make a lot of money—no matter who wants to buy them. The narration to be dubbed in will indicate in Sheba’s human voice that she sees through that and decides they’d run away. Unfortunately, their captor is out walking their mom at the time so Sheba can’t save her, at least not yet. But the rest of them climb through an open window, run out of the yard, and onto the street to get away. The bad guy sees them and gives chase, but they all escape.”
He went into more detail after that, pointing to where the cameras and dogs would be, and where the actor playing the nasty captor would start and end up.
“I get to just watch today.” That was Lyanne talking to Niall, who no doubt already knew that she wouldn’t be in any scenes to be shot that day. Both stood near me. I hadn’t noticed when she’d joined us. I’d gotten the impression that she was quite a diva. Was she here to call attention to herself despite not being on camera?
“So you’re just filming the dogs running today?” Grant asked as Hans stopped talking. “As I understand it, the cars will be dubbed in later by computer animation.” Grant had stood quietly at the front of the crowd, today wearing a navy T-shirt beneath his American Humane vest.
“Mostly, yes. But for the best effect, we have some vehicles ready to drive down the street here. Some of our best drivers will handle them.”
“Then the dogs won’t actually go into the street during the shots.”
Hans stopped and stared at him. “Yes, they will, but only for part of the scene that will show up in the final film. Like I said, some of our best drivers will handle the cars.”
“That wasn’t how this was discussed before,” Grant protested.
“It’ll be safe. I guarantee it.”
Which sounded like BS to me. Obviously it did to Grant, too.
And to Carlie, who maneuvered away from my side and to the front of the crowd, where Hans stood. “You need to listen to the American Humane representative,” she said right into the director’s face. “You know how important that ‘No Animals Were Harmed’ rating is. It’s why we’re here, and this whole film is about saving animals.”
Carlie was always concerned about animal welfare, but even so, the intensity of her reaction surprised me a little. She usually tried to reason with people—on her show, at least—before verbally attacking them.
“You’re here because that American Humane group wants a vet here, Doctor Stellan,” Hans said coldly. There was something almost menacing in his gaze, as if he really disliked Carlie—not just her attitude. “And because you want to put this on your own show to boost your ratings. But this discussion is strictly between Grant and me.”
“I don’t think so.” Niall had left Lyanne’s side to join them. He probably wouldn’t have had much clout if he’d just been the screenwriter, but what he said would have weight, thanks to his relationship with the financial backers. Me, too, in a way, but I’d stay out of it as long as others to whom Hans was more likely to pay attention were in the discussion.
“I don’t think so either.” Carlie motioned for her filming crew to get a little closer. “You’re right about why I’m here: It’s because I’m a veterinarian. And over the past few weeks, when I wasn’t here I had to try at my clinic to save the lives of at least three dogs that were hit by cars. There was nothing I could do to prevent those accidents—although I was fortunate enough to save their lives. But I’ll do all I can here to make sure you do this filming safely and appropriately.”
That explained her overreacting—maybe.
“I swear it’ll be done safely.” Hans spoke through gritted teeth, which seemed to belie his words. But he looked away from Carlie. “You can always tell me if something looks too dangerous.” He nodded toward Grant, then Niall, who both nodded back. “Now, let’s get started.”
The first few