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GENERAL FAQs
Q. Is HollywoodPaws a talent agency?
A. Yes. Please visit our Agency.
Q: How well trained does my pet have to be?
A: Whether you’ve got a darling dog, a cuddly guinea pig or a handsome iguana, looks alone aren’t sufficient to make the grade. Your pet will require advanced training, an outgoing and friendly personality, and the ability to accept commands and maintain focus amid multiple distractions. By “accept commands,” we mean that the animal performs the behavior at the trainer’s first request. Multiple requests by on-set trainers are counterproductive – and generally convey inadequate training and preparation.
Q: What kind of training does a dog or cat need to be represented by HollywoodPaws?
A: All of our four-legged performers are fully trained – from basic behavior to advanced animal acting. In general, we have found that dogs with so-called “basic behavior training” are not up to our standards of basic behavior. When we send a HollywoodPaws actor out on a job, that animal is a representative of our company and must be fully prepared to meet the production’s exact needs.
Q: What is CGC?
A: CGC stands for the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen ® certification. Hollywood Paws requires all its A-level students to pass this test. For more information on CGC, visit www.akc.org.
Q: How many actual dogs are used to play a single dog character in a film?
A: Several animals frequently share the work of portraying one on-screen dog; “Air Bud” is a perfect example. One dog was used for all the beauty shots; a calm dog was enlisted to work with the human actors; high-energy dogs handled the crazy ball-playing sequences. Sometimes as many as five dogs are enlisted to capture all the qualities of a single canine character. In addition to providing a richer characterization, this tradition keeps the production from overworking any particular dog.
Q: How much money can an animal actor make on a film?
A: As is the case with any performer, these issues are negotiated when the actor lands the part.
Q: What are the chances that my pet will get a job?
A: If you have the requisite commitment and drive, we can give you and your pet the tools to vie for acting work. But show business is, well, a dog-eat-dog world – the competition for animal parts is as fierce as any human casting call. It’s still up to the production company, director, producer, casting agent and other professionals to make the final decision. That said, the training provided by our program will give you a decided edge – whether you want to go out for a TV commercial or just impress your friends with your pet’s stellar behavior.
Q: Do studio trainers ever get to appear in films or TV shows?
A: Trainers are frequently brought in for non-speaking roles that involve close contact with animal actors. HollywoodPaws trainers, for example, played zoo employees for a scene in “Indecent Proposal” involving several animal performers.
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