by Anthony Senden
For some, the answer is straightforward, just like in the movie Cocaine Bear, because really, who would use a real bear, especially if you don’t know how to survive a cocaine bear attack? However, for some other movies, the answer is not as simple.
Therefore, this article will examine why filmmakers do not use real animals during production. Let’s go!
To Avoid Potential Abuse Allegations
This is the number one reason actual animals are not used in movies anymore. For years, the Hollywood movie-making industry has been riddled with stories of animal cruelty and abuse on set, even today. Some common stories involve a horse dying after jumping off a cliff, a dog almost drowning in a pool, dogs receiving blows, and several others.
As a result of these incidents, any movie involving the use of animals on set goes through so much scrutiny to ensure that these creatures are not abused. In an attempt to avoid outrage from animal rights groups and the audience, in general, in what may seem to be abuse, movie makers prefer not to delve into the use of animals at all. Instead, they opt for other alternative methods, such as CGI and animatronics.
Difficulty In Training And Uncontrollable Actions Of Animals
One of the practical challenges of using real animals in movies is their inability to follow commands like human actors. They need to be trained to emote and express feelings as required by the script. This is where animal trainers play a crucial role.
Animal trainers are part of the movie crew, training the animals to act according to the script. However, these trainers may not always get it right as animals may sometimes prove stubborn or not up to the task. Thus, it becomes an ordeal shooting scene when the animal fails to play their part.
In addition, there’s also the aspect of animals performing unexpected actions. For instance, in the 2010 movie The Witch, where they used a live billy goat, the animal hurt the lead actor while on set, leading to his hospitalization. This is just one of many cases where animals may go out of line during production, leading to failed projects, injuries, and even death.
PETA And Other Animal Rights Groups Have Reservations
Seeing as how animal cruelty was once predominant in the movie industry, many legal and regulatory implications have been developed to prevent animal cruelty on set. These regulations thus mean that filmmakers must procure the necessary permits and licenses to work with animals.
However, even with all these regulations, some animal rights activist groups, with PETA at the forefront, still have reservations. According to them, there should be a total ban on the use of animals for any form of entertainment.
Cost Of Making Movies And The Fear Of Box Office Flops
The cost of movie production is not small fry, and any big movie may cost over $300,000 to film per day. Due to this high cost, producers and directors are only interested in making movies that will be a sure success in theaters and cinemas. However, when working with live animals, any little action or misaction by the animals may make or mar the performance and success of the movie.
For instance, let’s look at the movie The Lady and The Tramp. The behind-the-scenes shows that the producers used up to three days to film the famous spaghetti date scene. Eventually, the crew had to use a digital version to render that scene despite the number of hours that went into animal training.
Issues like this, as well as aiming for perfection in animal acting, result in high production costs. If the producers do not achieve this perfection, the budget costs may supersede the box office revenue generated, leading to a net loss.
Logistics
Another reason for discontinuing the use of animals in movies is the challenge of logistics. Every movie that requires the use of live animals requires extensive planning, coordination, and training to ensure the safety and welfare of the animals on set.
Usually, this involves securing permits, organising appropriate accommodations, and handling procedures. This can turn out to be arduous, complex, and time-intensive. Additionally, it also has a notable impact on production budgets and schedules.
What Alternatives Can Movie Makers Opt For?
In recent years, movie producers and directors have found alternatives to create realistic depictions of animal characters. One such alternative is CGI technology. With this tech, filmmakers can create animated scenes involving animals that would be a detailed replica of live animal performances. In addition to this, puppetry and animatronics are introduced to bring animal characters to life on screen.
These alternatives, coupled with top-notch cinematography and sound design, thus have the potential to create more narrative and creative cinematic experiences.
Wrap Up
While some filmmakers still employ the use of live animals on set, many others have diverted to the use of CGI and animatronics. This is because while the absence of actual animals may disappoint some viewers, no entertainment is worth any animal’s suffering.
