Hollywood Paws Workshop

Interact with Experienced Animal Industry Professionals

Have you watched a dog perform a daring feat in a film and wondered how it was done? Seen an animal do an uncanny trick in a TV commercial and imagined yours doing the same? Step behind the curtain and learn the techniques the pros use to get star performances out of our four-legged friends. You’ll pick up dog-training tips you didn’t know existed!

Hollywood Paws offers animal acting and trainer workshops for everyone – from beginners learning basic behaviors to advanced animals and trainers ready for the most demanding onscreen action!

Completing these courses won’t guarantee that your house pet will become a screen pet – but working in the industry is virtually impossible without them. And one thing they will do is boost your animal’s confidence – and the communication between you.

INTRODUCTION TO THE FOUNDATION OF ANIMAL ACTING

Before they can compete for starring roles in film, TV and commercials, animals must first learn the basics. This six-week beginner’s course is a must for entry-level pets and their owners. Studio trainers will teach you how to communicate using hand signals, verbal commands and mechanical clickers. A mock photo session – with a trainer’s critique – will prepare you and your pet for the flashbulbs of fame.

By the end of the course, your pet will be ready to perform behaviors such as “go to your mark,” “stay,” “sit,” “watch me” and “speak,” just to name a few, and will stand for examination. Having mastered these fundamentals, you and your pet can move on with confidence to the next level. In addition to offering the first steps to a possible Hollywood career and huge benefits in good behavior, completing the course strengthens the bond between pet and owner.

Upon satisfactory completion of the course, dogs will be eligible for a Canine Good Citizenship certificate from the American Kennel Club.

PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL-ACTING WORKSHOPS

With the basics out of the way, graduates of introductory course will start learning the real tricks of the trade – the skills required to perform in front of a camera. You’ll acquire behaviors like “on your side,” “stay on your mark,” “freeze,” “foot/paw,” and “crawl,” and work toward a Therapy Dog Certification. An entire session will be devoted to a professional photo shoot, resulting in 100 introductory cards (a promotional calling card that can be used to advance your pet’s career) provided to all registrants who satisfactorily complete the course. A mock taping, meanwhile, will show you how your pet performs on camera.

ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL-ACTING & TRAINER WORKSHOPS

You and your pet have jumped through some hoops. Are you ready for the big time? Find out in this challenging and exhilarating course, which not only teaches advanced behaviors like “bow,” “nudge,” “circle,” “scratch an itch” and “take it/ hold it” but also explores grooming and makeup, the casting process and following a storyboard. Finally, the taping of a mock television commercial will give you a valuable promotional tool for your pet.

If you’ve completed the core workshops and want to prepare your pet for a Hollywood casting call – or work as a professional dog trainer – this course is a must!