How to prep… What to bring… What to expect…
Once you’ve been on set with your furry friend you really get a sense of what it is all about but until that day happens here are a few tips and things to think about.
Like many first time experiences, your first day on set can be intimidating, confusing and sometimes the unknown can generate a little anxiety.
Thankfully all those feelings wash away the moment the director calls “Action!” and the first shot is complete. Often it is the lead up to that moment that is the most difficult part of being an animal wrangler for film and TV.
So many things go through your head when you try to conceive every possibility of ‘what could do down’ and can easily spiral out of control. What if something goes wrong, what if my pet won’t perform, how will people react, what tricks should I have in my back pocket and so much more! It’s easy to anticipate the worst when the personal mantra you replay over and over again is “What if things don’t go perfect right away?” But before the feelings of stress and anxiety take over, let me put you at ease.
Don’t worry they are animals. We love them no matter what, so let’s have fun! And that’s what it is all about and that is what keeps it positive and exciting for your best furry friend. So don’t be fearful! Be fearless, be positive and be enthusiastic and your furry friend will too!
Working on set is about having a new and exciting experience. It’s about showing off all the cool tricks and FUR REEL special talents your friend knows and letting everyone else enjoy their company as much as you.
They are NOT robots. They are NOT PROPS. They WILL be treated with the most respect, compassion and love because that’s how Furry People Productions treats family. On set you and your furry friend may or may not be the ‘top billing star’ that day but trust me when I say, give it time! Not only will they have STAR POWER by the end of the day, they will be the most loved talent on set!
The not so glamorous side of the glamour!
What can I say… don’t wear your best clothes that’s for sure! As you know things can get hairy, literally! I always recommend wranglers wear darker coloured clothing that can blend into backgrounds and don’t cause a reflection. You can expect to look the part as on any given day you could be covered in slobber, cat food, dog treats, paw prints, dirt and maybe even the odd water spillage! A change of clothes is always recommended when on set with your furry friend. Open toed shoes are not permitted due to a safety issue, therefore ALWAYS wear shoes that cover your toes. And let’s be realistic guys, we have to show up like it’s ‘game day’ and we are here to play! No crop tops, short shorts or clothing that could create a tripping hazard.
Leader of the back pack!
A back pack is a great tool to bring to set as it leaves your hands free to hold onto your friend. Always pack extra high value treats and a variety of options to keep it fresh and exciting. Have a water bowl and fresh water on hand and a super cool selection of squeaky toys, cat teasers and any other neat and enticing toys to keep the day interesting.
When you are ready to perform, break away from the back pack with a treat pack, hip pack or also known among the cool kids as, the fanny pack. Maybe not the most flattering or popular fashion choice (although they are making a come back!) the fanny pack is ideal for holding your treats, a squeaky toy, hand wipes and more. Your fanny pack is readily available and again keeps your hands free.
It is always important to keep your back pack items ‘fresh’ and what I mean by that is, as tempting as it is, DO NOT use these toys until you are on set. This keeps the toys new and interesting for the animal talent. Also, don’t forget to empty your fanny pack at the end of each job to make sure there are no treats hanging out in there that could go bad!
What to expect…
Expect the unexpected. Sorry for the cliche but it’s true. From my experience, most jobs I jump into starts off with an initial concept and somehow ends up getting rearranged and changed. This is especially true for commercials. This is not a bad thing or a good thing, it is just the way the industry functions. Our goal is to show up, be professional, do the best we can do and have fun!
How long will your day be? Your guess is as good as mine. Honestly, I always tell myself it will be an all day gig and if we get wrapped early that is a bonus.
The reason behind this thought process is, SO many things can happen through the course of the day that can change the shooting schedule. Whether it’s a complete overhaul in concept, unforeseen set issues, adding overtime or a day that actually puts us ahead of schedule, we always have to be prepared for the unexpected. So when we’re booked, we typically plan for an entire work day which is approx. 8-10 hours. Now, that definitely doesn’t mean the animal talent works or ‘plays’ the entire time. Most of those hours are actually spent waiting in our comfy holding areas for our big moments.
Why do we often get a call time way ahead of when our “big moment” happens? Waiting can be long and tedious but this is due to the unknown possibility of needing the animal talent sooner than expected and not having them available can really hold up production and further affect the shooting schedule. It is always important to arrive at your specified call time but understand that you and your furry friend will have to bring something to help pass some time. To help keep you and your pet occupied during the downtime, we highly suggest bringing a book, tablet or some activities to do.
That’s a wrap!
Being on set isn’t for everyone and some people don’t ever want to do it again. That’s totally cool with us and we would never hold any hard feelings if that is your decision. However, for the most part people love it. People love learning about what it takes to make a simple 15 second commercial, watch a popular TV show come to life with all the awesome special effects and personalities you get to watch act, as well as the art involved in working with a photographer.
And last but certainly not least, I can honestly say I love working with the animals so much it’s crazy. However, I also love opening our pet pawrent’s eyes to an exciting industry that has a sense of mystery attached to it. Many wranglers and animal wrangling companies don’t believe in bringing parents on set with their furry person but we believe in the opposite. We have nothing to hide and we take pride in our commitment to your furry baby’s safety both physically and mentally. We put them and fun first!
Believe me when I say, it really is a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. It is an absolute privilege to have the opportunity to work with any furry person and do what I do. It doesn’t get any better than that.