The world of filmmaking is mesmerizing but if you are an animal lover, chances are that you are always skeptical about the use of animals in the movies. Are they compensated well for their work? Are they ethically used in the movies? These are questions that will swirl in your mind.
Platforms like Movies & Chai give you a good understanding of the animals that star in movies and any kinds of warnings that come with them. So, if you are particularly sensitive to the subject, you can read the reviews ahead of time there.
In this guide, we will explore some of the aspects that filmmaking prioritizes to ensure that the animals starring in the movies are treated ethically.
Historical perspective
We have come a long way in the niche of filmmaking. If we reel back to the times in the past when filmmaking was new, the use of animals in the movies was far from ideal. However, things have progressed significantly now.
Initially, the animals were subjected to unsafe conditions and even mistreatment based on the director’s vision. As hard of a pill it is to swallow, we can’t deny the fact that it happened in the past.
Legal protections
If you are enraged reading about the mistreatment of animals on film sets back in the days, you’d be happy to know that things have changed drastically and it’s due to the legal rules and regulations that have been imposed.
Multiple countries have strict guidelines when it comes to the animals that star in movies. They have rights of their own that the directors and everyone on the team have to follow through.
Training and accreditation
The majority of the animals that star in movies, especially in the movies related to animals require trained dogs. Due to the strict legalities, the animals are now only appointed by trainers who have proper licenses and accreditation.
This is to ensure the safety of the animal and also of the people who are working on the set. In short, it builds harmony and balance with everyone involved. Also, most of these accredited trainers work with the filmmakers to execute the shots well.
Alternative to live animals
In situations where the use of live animals is simply not possible, there are alternatives available as well. Technology has come a long way and elements like animatronics, CGI and other special effects often fill the gap of not being able to cast live animals in the movie.
Surprisingly, the world has such talented editors in question that you wouldn’t even know watching the film that the animals in them weren’t real. It has become a go-to choice for many filmmakers who don’t want to put stress on the live animals.
Handling animals in films is a concept that many people are often confused and curious about. If you are in the same boat and have been trying to figure things out, we recommend that you follow through with all the details that we have mentioned in this guide for your reference.
