Learning About Dog Training

Film is a wonderful storytelling medium. Most people watch television and movies in their everyday lives. If you're a filmmaker, you will probably need to work with animals at some point. Casting animals in a film can be a rewarding experience, but there are some things you need to know. Here are four things you should do when working with an animal on set:

1. Hire an animal trained especially for film.

When you need an animal for your television show or movie, you may be tempted to use your family pet or the pet of someone you know. However, this can create unforeseen problems. Film sets are chaotic places full of unfamiliar people, scents, and sounds. An untrained animal can become stressed due to the excess stimulation, and they may act out in uncharacteristic ways. If your animal bites someone, you could be held legally liable. It's always better to hire an animal who has been trained by an expert for film work. These animals have the temperament, experience, and training they need to portray the role you have for them.

2. Consider working with a domesticated animal.

Exotic animals are beautiful and interesting. There's nothing quite like a big cat or a regal wolf. Unfortunately, exotic animals are all wild animals at heart, and caution must always be exercised around them. If this is your first movie, hiring a trained exotic animal can be more difficult than you think. Consider whether you can rewrite your script to feature a domesticated animal instead. Dogs are natural performers, and they're wonderfully personable and easy to work with on set.

3. Plan the day's schedule around the animal's needs.

Animals have needs that must be met, and they typically work best when their schedules aren't interrupted. Even trained animals can't work for long hours the way that humans can. They can lose focus and become tired or difficult. When you hire a trained animal for film, the animal's handler will let you know what you can expect from the animal. On the days when you're filming animals, plan your shooting schedule around the animal's availability. It's easier for human actors and crew members to accommodate the needs of animal talent than vice versa.

4. Defer to the animal's handler at all times.

Your trained animal's handler will accompany them at all times. They will give the animal the direction they need in order to hit their marks and perform the necessary actions. They will also be the one monitoring the animal's mental and physical state. The handler's purpose is to keep both the animal and other cast members safe. If the handler asks for an adjustment to the scene for safety reasons, you should always listen.

Learn more by contacting people who work with trained animals for film.