Animal Trainer for Film
March 16th 2008 14:39
Kenna: What is a Studio Animal Trainer?
Sarah: By general definition Studio Animal Trainer is someone who trains animals for a living. In the Entertainment industry a Studio Animal Trainer works with a variety of different animals either Domestic or Exotic or both. Teaching them behaviors that are appropriate for film, TV, Photography and commercial work. As a trainer we are similar to what an agent is to an actor. The talent in our line of work is an animal or animals. We search for work for them and represent them when they are on set.
An example Basic studio behaviors for a dog would be, sit, down (to lie down), stay, speak (to bark), on your feet (to stand up), foot, paw, on your side (similar to 'playing dead'), and to retrieve (to hold various objects in their mouth). These basics are only considered solid behaviors when done at least 10 feet away. This is because when on a movie set, it is often that we are far away from the animals, hiding behind a camera or up against the wall.
Basic behaviors for a cat are slightly simpler. A solid, sit, stay, down, Nudge it, and paw would be basics.
Kenna: Do you get residuals for the animals like actors and puppet performers do?
Sarah: No! Neither animals nor their trainers ever get any residuals. We are bound to a basic up-front contract and once the spot plays, no matter how many times, no further money is ever paid out. It's a shame too, because a really good friend of mine is the owner of the Fancy Feast Cat. In one night, I once counted seeing that commercial air three times!
Sarah: By general definition Studio Animal Trainer is someone who trains animals for a living. In the Entertainment industry a Studio Animal Trainer works with a variety of different animals either Domestic or Exotic or both. Teaching them behaviors that are appropriate for film, TV, Photography and commercial work. As a trainer we are similar to what an agent is to an actor. The talent in our line of work is an animal or animals. We search for work for them and represent them when they are on set.
An example Basic studio behaviors for a dog would be, sit, down (to lie down), stay, speak (to bark), on your feet (to stand up), foot, paw, on your side (similar to 'playing dead'), and to retrieve (to hold various objects in their mouth). These basics are only considered solid behaviors when done at least 10 feet away. This is because when on a movie set, it is often that we are far away from the animals, hiding behind a camera or up against the wall.
Basic behaviors for a cat are slightly simpler. A solid, sit, stay, down, Nudge it, and paw would be basics.
Kenna: Do you get residuals for the animals like actors and puppet performers do?
Sarah: No! Neither animals nor their trainers ever get any residuals. We are bound to a basic up-front contract and once the spot plays, no matter how many times, no further money is ever paid out. It's a shame too, because a really good friend of mine is the owner of the Fancy Feast Cat. In one night, I once counted seeing that commercial air three times!
| 61 |
| Vote |
