animals in entertainment
In general I'm absolutely not a fan of animals in entertainment. I always turn to PETA for help when I'm reading a script, if I feel weird about the message or the animals in it. They are very helpful, especially Lisa Lange! She is my trusty advisor and she helps me to weigh all the pros and cons of the situation.
PETA is not all-or-nothing when it comes to the question of animals in entertainment. I have found Lisa to be very intelligent and reasonable about what films make sense with animals and which do not. I feel good about my choice with Vamps and the rats. Lisa was behind the message and thought it was nice that rats and other animals like pigeons were being discussed with such seriousness.
So believe me, I didn't like that the rats I showed you in the blog a while back had to be there. I didn't like that the people who raise them and take care of them use them for films at all. The whole thing feels weird to me. But I will say that some good was done that day. Some people who may have thought nasty things about rats that day were playing with them, and finding them cuter than they expected.
While I think it sucks to have animals act in movies, I really don't think those rats were harmed or treated badly. Do I wish they didn't have to do that at all, and lived happily ever after in the wild? Yes - but that wasn't my decision to make. So I guess I'm saying it's all a bit tricky.
11 comments
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Rats are not my thing( But when i was little i had this Cute little white rat. he was so cute. ( white body, red eyes and a pink tail) he was not creepy looking, he was acually preaty cute.
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I also agree that as long as animals are treated humanely. it is okay to use them in films.
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I agree with you Alicia IF the animal is trained and treated humanely, it is OK. So many times, the animal is abused and forced to do acts that are unnatural like elephants and tigers and bears in the circus.
I work with Pat Derby at PAWS (Performing Animal Welfare Society). She trained Lassie, Gentle Ben and treated all of her animals she trained, with respect, as though they were her children.
My company Earth and Animal Wellness, LLC always makes people aware of being kind to animals, the earth, using animal free/cruelty free products made with natural ingredients.
I work with many non profits, helping people be aware of the cruelty done to animals. I always list your blogs when you talk about horses being abused in the carriage industry, testing on monkeys, Tony the Tiger, trapped in a cement cage in Grosse Tete and used as a roadside attraction, etc. Still praying that Tony's permit was not renewed yesterday. Thousands of people around the world are praying he will be sent to Big Cat Sanctuary in Florida.
Thanks for your wonderful blog and communicating with everyone to make them aware.
I also talk alot about these issues on my FAceBook.
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Alicia, you are an angel, and I am so grateful to have found your site. I agree with you totally that if a critter is treated humanely on a movie set, he or she can be a wonderful ambassador to the world, showing people that all creatures have feelings.
I am with Michael Failla 100% in his cause to have non-American films monitored by Humane Groups to make sure the horses and other animals are not hurt during the film. And my gosh, I had no idea that these "crush" films existed. It breaks my heart. I will write to President Obama this evening, about the Bill, for sure.
I'm also grateful to live in a culture where, in the mainstream, we do treat our animal charges with kindness. Thanks, Alicia, for your wonderful ideas on this. And for your KINDNESS.
Suzann
Makeup Without Cruelty - a list of animal-friendly companies
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I agree with Diane. Just as we humans have many different reasons d'etre, as it were, or purposes in life, animals can live just as varied and interesting lives. Just because they are guided to work by their human friends does not necessarily make them unhappy. Just think about how happy dogs are when they make their human friends happy. When their living/working conditions are harmful to their well-being, that's when we should be concerned.
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Alicia you're just so lovely and I love the way you react and respond to things you care about. Good for you.
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While we are on the subject of animals and film, I also signed a petition at Cares2.com to make what are called Crush films illegal. Unbelievably there are people who are sexually aroused watching films of animals being killed. Crush films usually involve people erotically dressed or naked women stepping on or sitting on small animals. There are also harder films in which animals are placed in bags or sacks and smashed repeatedly against a hard surface until all the animals are killed. This sick industry lives on the internet and is hard to control and police. In 1999 the United States made possession and distribution of these films illegal but that was overturned in 2008 and it is now legal again. According to Wikipedia As of November 28, 2010, bill H.R. 5566, which prohibits interstate commerce in animal crush films, has been passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and awaits the signature of President Obama. Please write to President Obama and urge him to sign this bill into law. Crush films must be stopped. Thank you for letting me speak my opinion Alicia and for giving me a forum to state it.
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Thank you for posting this Alicia.. I have signed a petition in the past through Care2.com demanding that a member of the American Humane Society be on the site of every film made using animal actors or else the film should not be released for viewing in America.. This is because during films animals have often been hurt, killed or tortured in order for the director to get the shot they wanted. This especially applies to student , independent and foriegn films where many animals have been killed & maimed during the filming of these movies. This especially applies to horses who are often tripped using trip wire in order to make them fall during a battle scene.These horses are often injured breaking legs or worse and many have been killed or had to be killed. Although the Screen Actors Guild has a contract with the American Humane Society , the compliance is strictly voluntary and only applies to films made IN the United States. Unwatched cruelty to animals abounds in foreign films where animals are considered expendable. Alicia & other Kind Lifers please join me in demanding that a member of The American Humane Society MUST be on the set of a any film that involves animal actors to make sure animals are protected and well cared for while the movie is filmed.. Thank you.
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I agree that animals can be ambassadors for their species as Diane mentioned as long as they are treated properly. Animals like mice, rats, or injured vultures and crows that live their lives at refuges to educate the public can be very helpful to their species. Unfortunately, we have been taught to see these animals as vermin because they eat gross things and are equated with uncleanliness. In reality they are doing us a service by cleaning up waste (whether it is our waste or the remains of deceased animals). They help people see that they too have personalities, emotions, communication, empathy, etc just like humans. I agree with Alicia that if the animals are kept humanely that it can be very helpful to their species.
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Think of them as ambassadors from the animal kingdom. I think some animals are happy living with humans if, as Amy says, they are well cared for and loved. If the animal has ability to help humans appreciate and respect non-human creatures more, it is probably a good thing.
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I get what you are saying about it being weird and wishing they were able to live in the wild and all that. But from my perspective if the animals are being well cared for and the ultimate message creates a better understanding and relationship between humans and animals (especially animals like rats that most people don't like at all!) then I think we have to endure the fact that some animals will be raised and used to create films etc that show those relationships and celebrate them. That is a gread way to spread the message. As long as the animals being used are properly cared for and loved then I am okay with it.
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