Brutus The Bear

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Hi, this is Brunson Green:

I'm the producer of "Pretty Ugly People," which is a feature film we shot in Montana last fall.  Casey asked that I write to you to give some insight to our experience with Grizzly Encounters on our shoot.   Their whole crew is fantastic and completely professional.  Despite the fact that Brutus is a calm, friendly, well trained bear; they can be unpredictable; and Casey and his crew are constantly aware of the nature of bear behavior and never waiver in their precautionary measures.  Good luck with your segment and email me if you have any other questions.

Best, Brunson

 

To Whom It May Concern:

In a professional capacity I have known Casey Anderson for more than ten years.  I have worked with him on a variety of projects involving “trained” wild animal species in front of the camera including wolverines, mountain lions and grizzly bears.  In the last 5 years that Casey has been working with Brutus the grizzly bear I have hired Casey and Brutus for several on-camera productions.  All of my times working with Casey and his team of professional wild animal handlers have been nothing short of fantastic experiences for myself, cast and crew, but those involving Brutus have been especially enjoyable and rewarding.  The results have always translated into special moments on tape or film.  And most important of all I have never once worried about safety.  Casey and his team have always taken a safety first attitude for both the cast and crew and for Brutus.  I recently worked with Casey and Brutus on the main street of downtown  Denver, Colorado.  In addition to the large crew and several 12K HMI lights there were many people watching nearby and lots of traffic and loud noises constantly heard.  Brutus seemed as at home and unconcerned as if he were in a mountain meadow.  I also worked with Brutus and team in a 12 x 20 foot building with 5 actors and Brutus sitting at a table with a Thanksgiving dinner on it.  Once again the shoot went without a hitch even in such close quarters. 

 In my career I have also worked with several other animal trainers.  I would have to say that of them all, Casey his team and Brutus himself stand out as the most professional.  I would highly recommend Casey and Brutus for any production. 

John Ross
Senior Producer, Associated Television International

 

To Whom It May Concern:
Yellow Wood Films partnered with the Montana Grizzly Encounter and Casey
Anderson on a feature film during 2006 and 2007. Casey and his team supplied "Brutus" as an actor for the motion picture "Iron Ridge".  Casey, a veteran animal trainer and I met months before principle photography to discuss the logistics of having a live grizzly bear in the film. After speaking to many trainers throughout Montana and Idaho I was
expecting to be met once again with resistance because of the "Shoe String" budget we
were working with. I was delighted to be met with complete support and enthusiasm
when I met Casey. In fact, we spent the entire day location scouting. After spending the
entire day with Casey, I soon realized that I had made the right choice. Not only was
Casey different in the fact that he was so supportive and willing to work with such a
small crew and budget, but he was also unlike the other trainers that I had spoke with
because his bears are his family.  What sets Casey apart from everyone else in his
business most, is the fact that the animals he works with are not exploited to turn a quick profit. His animals ARE his life. Any profits made on the hiring of Brutus goes right back into improvements on the facility where Brutus AND Casey lives.
I can assure you, that if you are thinking about hiring Casey and the team from Montana Grizzly Encounter, they are consummate professionals. They come prepared, equipped, on time, and ready to work. Their "Can do" attitude was refreshing to my crew and the people involved in the production of "Iron Ridge". Even when they had to pull a trailer twelve miles into the wilderness and across a three foot deep river for some of our shots. Safety for the crew and for the animals was of a great concern for myself during the production of "Iron Ridge". With Casey's constant monitoring and safety meetings I was assured that his team was prepared for the worst. Even when an unexpected
helicopter skimmed the treetops over-head while we were filming.
I was glad to meet Casey and his team and I would gladly hire them again. Brutus, was a fantastic performer as well as a gentleman to everyone around him. I appreciate everything they have done for "Iron Ridge" and I more importantly appreciate what they do for animal conservation here in the state Montana.
If you have any questions or reservations about hiring the team from Montana Grizzly Encounter feel free to call me anytime.

Stu Brumbaugh
CEO Yellow Wood Films