AIP014 | The Film "An Open Secret," and What to Do about Child Sexual Abuse in the Entertainment Industry (Part 1) - with Matthew Valentinas

The Acting Income Podcast with Ben Hauck

In this two-part series on the explosive documentary film An Open Secret, co-executive producer and entertainment lawyer Matthew Valentinas talks with Ben Hauck about his involvement in this important film about victims of sexual abuse and pedophiles in the entertainment industry.

In the interview, Matthew details how he brought on a production team and director Amy Berg, the social change for which the documentary the aims, and the story of An Open Secret through his eyes. He shares how difficult it is for victims to substantiate their claims of sexual abuse, and he explains that the studios, networks, production companies, and SAG-AFTRA are not doing enough to protect children from sexual abuse.

Matthew strongly recommends parents and families to take responsibility in taking care of their children in light of evident pedophilia in the industry, describing the processes of pedophiles and how their methods of building trust and "grooming" involve not just the children but also the parents. He outlines what quick steps children should take should they be the victims of inappropriate sexual conduct from people in the entertainment industry, urging them to come forward immediately when victimized. Matthew also addresses why unrelated credibility issues around one courageous victim chronicled in the film neither undermine the film nor undermine that victim's claims of sexual abuse.

As Matthew reveals, the profits Esponda Productions makes from the film go toward the Courage to Act Foundation which aims to help the cause, and The BizParentz Foundation is another resource for children and parents looking for help in the entertainment industry. Rounding out the interview, Matthew shares where An Open Secret is currently playing and what the documentary's future is theatrically and digitally (as of June 2015). He concludes with a call to action for victims to get in touch if they need help in dealing with sexual abuse.