 | |
Training Animals for the Camera
Victoria Wells, ASPCA Manager of Shelter Behavior and Training―January 9, 2009
If you’ve seen a pooch in a pet-food commercial and thought to yourself, “My dog could do that!,” then you should check out this discussion with Victoria Wells, ASPCA Manager of Shelter Behavior & Training. Victoria, of Animal Precinct fame, will share her expertise on training animals for the camera. Why she rocks: Victoria trains animals for music videos, commercials and film, and it is her policy to only work on projects that portray animals in a positive light. So, read on and find out if your superstar has what it takes!
What characteristics should someone look for when determining whether their pet is ready for showbiz?
—Amy
The animal should love to be around people of all types and have no problems in unusual situations and strange places. Fearful animals do poorly in this type of work. The things animals see on set are quite something. They are exposed to bright lights, music, cameras, divas, etc. Early exposure to all unusual things makes for the best animal actor. I'd say light-coated animals are most sought after as well. Dogs should know at least basic obedience, unless they are in a feature film—then they have to be super talented!
How would someone get their dog started out in this field? I have always wanted to do this kind of thing, but I am clueless.
—Emily
A well-trained dog is always in demand. Take your dog to classes or get a trick training DVD. Contact animal agencies through www.newyork411.com, a production professional referral website. Make sure your dog really wants to do this and isn't scared by loads of people and bright lights. It is hectic on sets and is not for every dog.
How can you get a dog used to the popping of the flash?
—Barbara
The best way to condition a dog to flashes—or anything that is new and startling— is to start off slowly. I suggest turning on and off a light and pairing the flashing light with a treat. Do this repeatedly, and replace the light with a flash when you notice your dog is not fazed by it.
How can you make sure your dog won't be portrayed as an aggressive dog? Does the owner stay on set while filming?
—Elyse
You are always provided with a script and/or call sheet prior to filming. If there is anything that depicts the animal actor as less than a member of the family, I won’t do it! If the conditions on set are unsafe, I discontinue work or throw a fit until the animal’s needs are met. And I won’t do a scene that portrays prey and predator together at one time. The owner is welcome to be on set unless the animal is too distracted, or the person gets in the way of the production. They can sit by the craft service table in that case.
How can I be sure a TV or film shoot is a healthy place for my pet star? Are there certain animal welfare guidelines that production companies must follow?
—Marie
Shoots are supposed to be monitored by a rep from American Humane. The animals are not supposed to work for long periods of time without a break, They have to have shade from the heat and warmth from the cold, etc. Even though I work at the ASPCA, I have been interrogated many times by the monitor on set to ensure I am following the rules. There are some larger productions that don’t have the animal’s best interest in mind, and I won’t work on them. There are movies I have boycotted because of reported mistreatment of the animal talent. If you want to know what goes on with your animal actor, I suggest you be the handler.
Is there a national listing of agencies? I'm not in the New York area, and so far, I've struck out on finding anything around here (Kentucky).
—Stephanie
Keep in mind that the West and East Coasts are really the hubs of production. I am sure there are agencies everywhere, but truthfully, the majority of TV and film is produced in Los Angeles and New York.
My husband pointed out that almost all cats in commercials are orange. Do you know why that is? I have two orange tabbies and am starting to get stars in my eyes…
—Elyse
You are correct, Elyse! There are many orange tabbies in commercials. They seem to look better on camera because of their light, brilliant coloring, and they are very smart and motivated by both play and food—easy to train.
Hi, Victoria! I love all the work you do with the ASPCA. My little dachshund is not aggressive, but if a dog approaches her, she gets a bit defensive, barks and raises quite a fuss. Is it usually a requirement for animals to be able to interact "cordially" with one another in the business? If so, any suggestions on how I can begin to enhance my dog's socialization skills around other dogs? Thanks!
—Lauren
There are not always other dogs on the set of shoots. I would be in trouble if that were the case with some of the huge dogs I deal with, who don’t like other dogs but are the only ones in the show or video. If your dog has to be on set with another dog, you might be able to distract her with a treat or toy. If filming a music video, for example, you can sometimes be as loud as you want because they add the music later. You can bang on a drum to get your dog’s attention. I suggest you get your dog used to being around dogs at a distance of about five feet while feeding treats, and decrease the distance when you see there is no reaction to the other dog.
Do you have any tips for getting a good photo of my cat? I always seem to catch him mid-yawn with one eye closed, or the second *after* he performs an amazing flying leap. How do those professionals get it just right? Help!
—Pune
Have a toy waving behind the camera or get someone to jingle a cat toy just behind you while you take the picture. Try not to use a flash, or it will reflect in the cat’s eye.
How did you start out? Is your dog an easy learner? I have had my dog, Tido, for almost a year now and I want to get him into commercials. He is a three-year-old teacup Chihuahua, and he’s an awesome dog, but I’m new at this. Thank you for your time.
—Christina
I don't usually use my own dogs for work. I have a number of trained dogs I hire for commercials, music videos, etc. If you are interested in getting your dog into this type of work, you may want to approach agencies listed on a site called www.newyork411.com. This is dedicated to production professionals of all kinds. Animal talent firms are listed and frequently recruit. Make sure all training methods are HUMANE!
My pup has done a couple of professional photo shoots—including one for Vogue (Oct 2008)—and he loves doing it. He knows dozens of tricks and really seems to enjoy himself. However, he has problems when I can’t be in view, especially if he hasn’t had time to bond with the actors. How can I teach him to "work away?" —Lorraine
I would try to have some friends come over and work with him on some tricks and training. This way, he will generalize to taking cues from strangers. If you can have someone else occasionally feed him his meals and walk him, it may decrease the bond somewhat. I mean, who really wants that, but it's good for showbiz...
Do the dogs have to know tricks to be on TV? My dogs, Joey and Elsa, are well trained in obedience. And do you know of any websites I can go to for California? —Anna
Dogs don’t necessarily have to know tricks. Sometimes a dog just has to fit the look a production is seeking and be well mannered. Check out www.la411.com. This is a production site that lists animal agencies. Make sure they use humane methods.
Human actors need headshots. Do animals need professional photos? Are there photographers that specialize in this?
—Elyse
You sure do need pictures! Production companies use them to pick the animals for a show, movie or print. Talent agencies choose the animal actors for both talent and looks. I know a super talented guy, Geoff Ticshman, who takes photos of pets. Best in the biz. You can view his website at: http://www.gmt-photo.com/.
Donate Today
