The FLF crew is back in the office after a fun-filled 3 days on set last week! The filming went really well, and it was smooth sailing for the most part. The only exception being the mystery virus that struck Lauren, Garrett, and Larry on Friday!
One of our favorite parts of last week was shooting with our little puppy star, Hamlet. I’m happy to say that because it’s rare… thus the notorious film industry warning, “Never work with animals or babies.”
Puppy Actor Hamlet
Having worked with animals on set numerous times, we’ve learned a couple things that have made it easier and made us more successful in getting what we need. That said, here are some tips for shooting with animals:
1) Don’t just cast for the animal… the handler will play an equally important role in your success or failure. Communicate with the handler… A LOT. Make sure you’re comfortable with, and confident in, his or her style, and make sure they’re comfortable with you.
Erika with puppy talent, Hamlet
2) Be extremely clear about the expectations and requirements. What may seem like a no-brainer to you may be a big challenge or just an impossibility for the animal. Wearing a hat? Looking at camera? Walking in deep snow? The clearer you are about your expectations, the better chance you have of finding the right talent for your job. Also, will you be running sync sound during the animal’s scene(s)? If so, make sure the animal can understand visual cues from the handler, not just verbal ones.
3) Be clear about the conditions where the animal will be working. Hot lights? Cold weather? Let the handler know exactly what the working conditions will be like so the two of you can plan together. A little extra planning in the outset can make the animal much more comfortable, and will help keep the handler relaxed and focused.
4) Consider the logistics well in advance. Not every hotel will allow dogs and cats, and not every location may even allow animals on site. When working with animals, bring up that subject in every step of the production… Make sure human talent isn’t allergic/ phobic, confirm the property where you’re filming will allow that type of animal, make a plan for animal feeding, watering, waste disposal, etc.
Actor Drew Taylor and Wrangler Lloyd Cooper on location
5) When on set, ask the handler what they need. If an animal has been cooped up in a trailer or on a plane, don’t rush them to get suited up and in place. Ask the handler how to best get them adjusted and ready… Does the animal need some rest? Water? To be walked around the set and not touched for a few minutes? Remember, every animal has its own distinct personality and needs.
Nurse puppy in an FLF toy commercial
6) Don’t underestimate the value of prep time. For working animals, everything is a factor of “getting used to it,” and that just takes time. Our puppy last week needed to get used to wearing clothes and sitting in a chair. Our horses in The Sierra (the Western short film) needed to be “gun broke” (meaning, they needed to get used to having guns fired from their backs). Sarah, our excellent handler last week, videotaped and uploaded her prep sessions for us, so we could see what strategies would work the best to give us the shots we needed. It helped tremendously, and our clients told us it was their best experience ever with a dog on set.
