Mallee’s Blue Dog Audition and Not Your Average Film Director
It was the usual Thursday morning at Animal Talent Time Headquarters when an unusual idea popped into our heads. We had just seen an announcement about the new Blue Dog film (sister to that of the famous ‘Red Dog’) when the idea sprung to our minds. Videos were being uploaded all over the country of beautiful and talented dogs auditioning to be the next big thing on the Australian film scene.
Our minds were racing. Full of ‘what if-s’, ‘oh imagine if-s’ and ‘but how-s’! Excitement with a hint of nervousness filled the office and we began brainstorming. We wanted an audition that was different, stood out from the crowd and wowed the minds of the decision-makers behind Blue Dog!
Enter Coco the Miniature Pig. Now Coco is an animal actor, so why not a director as well! She is more on the grungy side, a little bit ugly (we’re allowed to say that) but her beauty shines from within. We couldn’t shake the thought that Coco would be perfect in the role of ‘director’ in our audition video. She would be the director, in a mock screen test, of the dog we were going to audition – Mallee the Australian Kelpie.
Preparations began for the big audition video. The rain was pouring outside but inside, the office was abuzz. We rattled through the arts and crafts supplies, a place that rarely sees the light of the day, and found some excellent prop making materials. A trip to Bunnings and a few discount stores later, we were well on our way to making that video happen. After hours setting up and preparing Coco, we finally got some footage that we thought was worthy to use. Needless to say, we now appreciate the work that film crews do a whole lot more, as we played around for a while just setting up the one scene! Coco looked the part in her gold director’s glasses with her clapper board sitting right next to her.
Now for the star of the video we visited Mallee the Australian Kelpie and got some footage both indoors and outdoors. We believe Mallee has what it takes to play the role of Blue Dog. Mallee has the look, he is bright, loves people, has a very friendly disposition and with a little bit of training could well have the skills too!!
Then the editing began. Back to the office and we were hard at work filming voice overs, cutting the footage, putting it together… the list goes on. There was a lot of laughter as we put the footage together.
Coco and Mallee both worked really hard and we look forward to hearing from the Blue Dog decision makers regarding Mallee’s audition performance.
The Animal Talent Time Team
Coco the Miniature Pig Causes A Stir!
Today we wanted to tell you about Coco the Miniature Pig. Coco is a big part of the Animal Talent Time Team, and a star in her own right, having appeared on Australia’s Got Talent and been an important attraction in a fashion campaign and music video.
It was a normal sunny day in Sydney when Ann and Sandra decided to take Coco the Miniature Pig to the park. Coco loves the great outdoors and this particular park is one of her favourites to visit, when she isn’t busy on a photo shoot, TV commercial or music video. It’s not often that most people get to see a miniature pig in their local park, so you can just imagine the stir she caused!
Every week people flock from their respective picnic rugs to come and check out Coco. Cameras flash, questions are asked, and Coco quite enjoys her moment in the spotlight. Coco even has her own business card, which is eagerly taken by passersby so that they can check out her website and Facebook page.
A few weeks ago, Coco was learning to ride a skateboard (yes, you read that correctly). Not only was there a miniature pig in the local park, but a miniature pig riding a skateboard!
This is where it starts to get interesting. We were joined by a man (named Bob for the sake of the story) and his mate who came over to see what all the commotion was about. Sure enough, Bob was a skateboarder himself and had his skateboard in the car with him. Fast forward ten minutes and Coco is posing for photos with Bob, both with their skateboards of course. It made for some great photos that’s for sure!
However, Coco has hit a hurdle in her skateboarding career as she is now 45kg, nearly fully grown and a bit too heavy for her board. This is causing her board to go faster than her little legs can keep up with. We haven’t told Coco yet, but plans are underway for a new hot pink skateboard with wheels better suited for a piggy.
The skateboard is just one of Coco’s tricks; she can roll out a red carpet, jump through a hoop, run through a tunnel, wave, sit and stay, play soccer and tenpin bowling and pull a flag down. Coco is highly intelligent and loves to learn, we have started training her to hold a dumbbell and touch a target – you just never know with all these skills she may one day be a Movie Star.
Keep up the good work Coco!
We’d love you to have a look at Coco’s website for more information on our miniature pig.
http://www.cocotheminiaturepig.vpweb.com.au/
http://cocotheminiaturepig.com.au/
The Animal Talent Time Team
What Makes Your Animal A Star?
Most of us will have seen the thousands of reality TV shows that search the public for that one person with star quality. A panel of judges scrutinises their every move deciding if they have exactly what it takes. Can they cope under the pressure? Do they have that particular look? Is their particular talent being sought after?
However, some of these shows share similar qualities with Animal Talent Time. Believe it or not! To a lesser extent, the art of involving animals in media projects is a similar process to those television shows we know so well. There are many factors that go into making a ‘star’, regardless of whether the star in question is a human or an animal.
She’s/He’s Got The Look!
In the harsh world of television, or any other visual form of media, unfortunately physical appearance can be quite important. We are not asking for the animal equivalent of Elle Macpherson, however a pet that looks happy and healthy is ideal. Also pets that have a unique look will often appeal to a client. ‘But looks aren’t everything!’
That Special Talent
Whatever it may be, your pet needs to have something that helps them stand out from the crowd. The animal crowd. This area is up to your imagination. We know a Labrador that can retrieve a drink out of an esky, a miniature pig that can roll out a red carpet and a chicken that can go for a ride on a skateboard. Remember the acts on Australia’s Got Talent that stick in our minds are the ones that are original and entertaining. On a serious note, please make sure the animal’s welfare is a top priority!
Everyone Likes A Well-Behaved Animal
Training, training, training. Like any human actor, an incredible amount of time goes into training. It is a huge commitment from a dedicated pet owner. In the case of dogs, it’s important that they are able to perform the basics of being able to sit and stay, or drop and stay for a few minutes. Cats are a different case altogether, for them it is more about being comfortable in an on-set environment.
Don’t Worry, Be Happy
This is arguably the most important point. A pet that is happy, comfortable and focused on set means that you will be a happy owner/trainer, and the producer will be happy too! As an example, the world of television sets can be very chaotic and noisy at the best of times. There are often lots of people, hot lighting and flashing cameras. The complete opposite of your cat’s favourite lounge! The main priority is that an animal is never put into a situation which may make them feel uncomfortable.
Hopefully during the time it has taken to read this blog, we may have been able to give you a few handy hints! Maybe it’s time to go back to the metaphorical drawing board, or maybe it’s time to start auditioning your animal star?
The Animal Talent Time Team
VIP Behind the Scenes Access
Stunt Guinea Pigs
We have decided to fill you in on some of the shenanigans that go on behind the scenes here at Animal Talent Time – some may surprise, and even shock you!
On a recent television job, the Animal Talent Time Team had a dilemma on their hands. The client’s script called for a dead guinea pig! Yes you read correctly. This caused the brains of our team to fry as we tried to think of the best, and most professional way, to address the needs of our client. Several options were put up on the drawing board, even to purchase an already taxidermied guinea pig.
Now, here comes the ‘shock’ part! We all remember those plush toys that sat on our bed, got covered in saliva, maybe even went through the washing machine when we were kids? Well, suddenly they became the inspiration for our solution. We were going to use toys! We emailed photographs of our star guinea pig, Gypsy, to a lady in the United States and she cleverly produced two replica Gypsy’s who were soft and cuddly to work with. Everyone wins. Our trusty friend ‘the internet’ came in handy to source these guinea pigs that just happened to be fantastic at playing dead!
* no animals were harmed in the making of this TV show
Coco – The Miniature Pig – Australia’s Got Talent
Coco The Miniature Pig
Keeping with the TV theme, our miniature pig Coco recently starred in the hit show Australia’s Got Talent! There was lots of behind the scenes action for this one, however, we will try to stick to the highlights. The day started with the judges making their entrance on a horse and cart and then onto a red carpet! Our delightful Coco took it upon herself to start rolling up the red carpet (one of her many tricks). It was a big day for a little pig, she had numerous interviews, a pre-stage visit to familiarise herself with the stage and a meet and greet with Kyle who was very nice to her and Coco’s favourite judge.
When it was Coco’s turn to shine on stage, she had a Go-Pro camera strapped to her back so the nation could see her ‘pig’s eye view’. Once on stage all her training paid off as she performed her tricks just as planned (although maybe a little slower as she had already had an exciting and busy day). Geri Halliwell came up on stage to give her a treat ..all in a day’s work for our superstar miniature pig Coco!
Photo Source – www.thesun.co.uk
Photo source – www.smh.com.au
The Animal Talent Time Team
It’s All About Coco the Miniature Pig!
Coco the Miniature Pig is more or less like our naughty child. She provides us with endless stories of attention seeking activities that make for exciting dinner party conversation, and even entertaining blog material! Yes, you guessed it, at the moment Animal Talent Time is all about Coco the Miniature Pig.
Let’s take you back to a time when Coco the Miniature Pig was just a young thing. Like most human babies, she loved her special blanket and would wrap herself up in it until it resembled a cocoon. She spent a lot of time in her bed yet still managed to be quite mischievous! From a young age, her ability to sulk was well recognised and it was noted that she was quite the strong willed little miniature pig!
A recent story that springs to our minds is one that greatly disrupted (and entertained) a photoshoot of ours that was taking place. Coco the Miniature Pig saw that our pony, Shanny, was out of her paddock and took it upon herself to make sure that she was allowed the same freedom. Determination and perseverance lead her to find a hole in her fencing and sure enough, Coco the Miniature Pig was out within minutes. Fast forward a couple of minutes later, the photoshoot is interrupted and we are desperately trying to rebuild the fence that surrounds our Coco the Miniature Pig!
We finally got her back inside, wrapped up the photoshoot and put ourselves to bed for the night. The sun rose and it was a new day, yet Coco the Miniature Pig had managed to escape again! The same process was executed, with tighter security this time. We all went to bed praying that that day was the last time we would be rebuilding Coco’s fence. Wrong. Did we mention Coco the Miniature Pig was one very strong willed miniature pig? Yes, she had escaped again and yes, that was the third and final time. Luckily!
Another story is one that our Anna finds bittersweet. You see, Anna takes a lot of pride in her raking and doesn’t like it when her perfect pile of leaves is messed with. One day, Coco the Miniature Pig decided Anna’s pile of leaves would make for a comfortable bed, much to Anna’s dismay. The end result being that Coco the Miniature Pig gained a new mattress and our paddock gained a new covering of leaves. The best part (sorry Anna) is that our Coco refused to budge. She had climbed the pile of leaves and she was staying. With much frustration, Anna decided to leave the work for another time and had started to leave when, Coco got down from on top of the leaves. Just like a naughty child, she was playing games with Anna that she clearly thought was hilarious!
Amongst these stories, Coco does display some likable qualities we promise! She is very clean and is quite fond of a routine. She only likes to go to the toilet in one place, which makes cleaning very easy, and she misses us when we go away. There is a definite bond formed with members of the Animal Talent Time which is what makes her so special.
She even has her own website!!
Check it out at www.cocotheminiaturepig.com.au
The Animal Talent Time Team
Poodle, mini-pig reveal star quality
Congratulations to Jackson the Dancing Poodle and Coco the Miniature Pig who were featured in the local Leader Newspaper after their appearance on Australia’s Got Talent.
A busy few weeks at Animal Talent Time!
It has been a busy few weeks at Animal Talent time with Coco, our miniature pig appearing live on National TV on channel 10’s The Living Room, featuring Dr Chris Brown.
She performed a variety of tricks which she has been learning recently and impressed the audience with her amazing performance!
Not only has Coco been busy, but a Border Collie here at Animal Talent Time Agency named Easy, has made the front cover of the latest issue of the Handyman Magazine.
We are so proud of all the animals representing Animal Talent Time Agency!
Until next time,
The Animal Talent Time Team
Coco the Miniature Pig, learns new tricks!
Coco, our miniature pig has been busy at work, learning and preparing tricks for a live performance on National TV!
One thing Coco loves more than learning new tricks, is being in the spotlight and impressing both the audience and producers and by the looks of her new routine, she will be doing just that!
Until next time,
The Animal Talent Time team
Coco the Miniature Pig features in “The Pigs” music video
Check out Coco the Miniature Pig, Bobbie and Beryl the ducks in the “The Pigs” music video “Gold Digger”
Lights, Camera, Action!
The last two weeks have been organised chaos here at Animal Talent Time. The early mornings and late nights have all been worth it to be see our animals shine across different forms of media. We have been busy with cats, miniature pigs, dogs and chickens!
Pye, one of our talented cats, was in a theatre production and impressed the audiences that came to see him perform each night. You can see Pye in the picture below getting a few last minute touches in the make up chair.
Coco, our miniature pig was featured in a music video that was recently filmed in the city. Coco can now say that she has been in a stretch hummer, and has left the Animal Talent Time team feeling very jealous. She has become quite the media star, also appearing in a Global Campaign for a popular fashion brand.
One of our clever dogs and some of our chickens will appear in a short film. They were very professional on the set and are getting quite used to being animal film stars. It doesn’t stop there though! We have also had dogs and cats appearing in television adverstisements that will be appearing on your TV very soon. Keep checking our blog for more updates on where our animals will be appearing.
We love taking each and every one of our animals to their unique jobs. It is really great to see all the hours of training and grooming pay off and to know that the client is satisifed with the professional job that our animals and trainers do.
Until next time,
The Animal Talent TimeTeam
