Anything Goes : Using animals for filming by Angela Tinkler

Using animals for filming

Hello! I am looking to shoot my first short film, self funded, and have written into the script a shot of a rat in a bin. Even as a quick shot its quite integral to the plot. But I have no idea how to go about getting a rat! Any advice please... Angela

Shawn Goth

Call a local schools "science department" see if you can borrow a rat for the movie- offer special thanks to the school - give the rat an acting credit-the kids will love it. And all those kids will want to see the movie.

Michael Wearing

Angela obviously it depends what you need the rat to do. Your first question should be: Do you actually need a live rat? Can you shoot the scene without seeing the rat, or can you use a puppet or just a flash of grey fur? If you decide that you really do need a live rat then you might want to consider a specialist film animal trainer. These are likely to know how best to get the animal to do what you want it to do and save you lots of time.. The alternative of a school rat is a good idea as is using one from a loa all pet shop. Alternatively you good just wait at the rear of any food type shop /restaurant at night.

Given Davies

Hey Angela, have you thought about animation for the rat? We specialize in post production hyper real animation. If you shoot the live plate (the bin) we can animate a rat into the bin for you. The rat would do anything that you want, and look real. How close-up is the shot to the rat?

Daniel Johnson

did you get your rat?

Other topics in Anything Goes:

register for stage 32 Register / Log In