Animal Actors provides the animals that appear on the show, what does this role involve?
We first receive an initial scene breakdown three months in advance with the animal action required. This gives us a 'heads up' in case the scene is complicated or the animal may be difficult to find (or both).
What inspired you to work with and train animals?
I fell in love with my first kitten at the age of five and from then on was always interested in animal behaviour.
How did you get involved in the television industry?
In 1974 a friend of my mother's knew someone in the industry who was working on a TVC and who was looking for a dog. She thought I might have a connection as I was a Veterinary nurse at that time.
What other television shows have you worked on?
Too many to mention! I began with the Bluestone Boys in 1976 and worked on many and varied series ever since. We also do stage productions and TVC's.
We first receive an initial scene breakdown three months in advance with the animal action required. This gives us a 'heads up' in case the scene is complicated or the animal may be difficult to find (or both).
What inspired you to work with and train animals?
I fell in love with my first kitten at the age of five and from then on was always interested in animal behaviour.
How did you get involved in the television industry?
In 1974 a friend of my mother's knew someone in the industry who was working on a TVC and who was looking for a dog. She thought I might have a connection as I was a Veterinary nurse at that time.
What other television shows have you worked on?
Too many to mention! I began with the Bluestone Boys in 1976 and worked on many and varied series ever since. We also do stage productions and TVC's.
Where do you source the various animals from?
We have a casting agency attached to the business and have developed many contacts over the years. I have people listed on the books that have come from auditions and our training courses as well.
What does the average day on the set of Neighbours involve for you?
We arrive at any time from 7am to 7pm depending on the schedule with whatever animal has been requested. Sometimes it is for only one scene and at other times we are there all day. If the animal is a dog we go for a run in the park and then go into the Green Room to await our call. Other animals are set up in another room with litter tray, food, water etc. We sometimes walk around the outdoor sets during breaks and do some training sessions. We also do some rehearsals in between scenes with the actors if the moves are complicated.
What was it like to take over as the regular trainer and supplier in 2000? Where there any difficulties in finding animal doubles for the few animals that were on the show?
We have been working on the show since its inception and were made sole supplier in 2000. The animals at that time were a Rottweiler, a small white mixed breed dog and a Galah. The producers had already decided to write out the Rottweiler and we replaced him with our Kelpie/Border Collie mix Harvey. We had a Galah and it was no trouble to get a double for the white dog Bob.
There is a saying among actors – ‘never work with animals or children’. What are the difficulties in trying to get the animals and actors to work together according to the script?
Our animals are highly trained and know to take direction from us. It does not matter to them who they work with really and it is our job to make it look they are owned by the actors. The animals rarely make mistakes.
We have a casting agency attached to the business and have developed many contacts over the years. I have people listed on the books that have come from auditions and our training courses as well.
What does the average day on the set of Neighbours involve for you?
We arrive at any time from 7am to 7pm depending on the schedule with whatever animal has been requested. Sometimes it is for only one scene and at other times we are there all day. If the animal is a dog we go for a run in the park and then go into the Green Room to await our call. Other animals are set up in another room with litter tray, food, water etc. We sometimes walk around the outdoor sets during breaks and do some training sessions. We also do some rehearsals in between scenes with the actors if the moves are complicated.
What was it like to take over as the regular trainer and supplier in 2000? Where there any difficulties in finding animal doubles for the few animals that were on the show?
We have been working on the show since its inception and were made sole supplier in 2000. The animals at that time were a Rottweiler, a small white mixed breed dog and a Galah. The producers had already decided to write out the Rottweiler and we replaced him with our Kelpie/Border Collie mix Harvey. We had a Galah and it was no trouble to get a double for the white dog Bob.
There is a saying among actors – ‘never work with animals or children’. What are the difficulties in trying to get the animals and actors to work together according to the script?
Our animals are highly trained and know to take direction from us. It does not matter to them who they work with really and it is our job to make it look they are owned by the actors. The animals rarely make mistakes.
Obviously, not all the actors and animals would get on like two peas in a pod. Which cast members have difficulties connecting and working with the animals?
Of course it would not be professional for me to name any one person. Most people like the animals and enjoy working with them. The writers know not to write certain actors in with an animal if they don't like them.
Which cast members have bonded extremely well with an animal?
Tom loves animals and always wants to have Dahl (the Galah) with him. The writers do not see eye to eye on that one. Jackie and Alan loved Audrey and Ryan loved Bob. Chris and James both work well with Bossy and she really likes them also.
How long does it take to train the animals before they are camera ready? Which animal has been the most difficult to work with?
We are lucky in that we get quite a long lead time for a new animal in most cases so we don't have many problems. When we have a new puppy like Audrey or Bossy who were both seven weeks old when they first appeared they gradually grow into their role and it's like a second home to them. The difficult animals are usually those in guest roles that are basically pets and are not very well trained.
In 2012, Karl and Susan were draw back together by the death of Audrey, who had been an important part of the cast for eleven years. What was it like for you and the cast to say goodbye both on-screen and off-screen?
It was heartbreaking and none of us coped very well. I tried to begin to explain to the Director how Audrey was feeling and immediately burst into tears. That set off both Jackie and Alan and we had a group hug until we all composed ourselves again. Luckily there was no dialogue in those scenes. We used those last scenes to intercut into scenes shot later with a stand in dog. Off screen she was put to sleep by our Vet and is buried on the Animal Actors farm under a rose called Super Star.
Of course it would not be professional for me to name any one person. Most people like the animals and enjoy working with them. The writers know not to write certain actors in with an animal if they don't like them.
Which cast members have bonded extremely well with an animal?
Tom loves animals and always wants to have Dahl (the Galah) with him. The writers do not see eye to eye on that one. Jackie and Alan loved Audrey and Ryan loved Bob. Chris and James both work well with Bossy and she really likes them also.
How long does it take to train the animals before they are camera ready? Which animal has been the most difficult to work with?
We are lucky in that we get quite a long lead time for a new animal in most cases so we don't have many problems. When we have a new puppy like Audrey or Bossy who were both seven weeks old when they first appeared they gradually grow into their role and it's like a second home to them. The difficult animals are usually those in guest roles that are basically pets and are not very well trained.
In 2012, Karl and Susan were draw back together by the death of Audrey, who had been an important part of the cast for eleven years. What was it like for you and the cast to say goodbye both on-screen and off-screen?
It was heartbreaking and none of us coped very well. I tried to begin to explain to the Director how Audrey was feeling and immediately burst into tears. That set off both Jackie and Alan and we had a group hug until we all composed ourselves again. Luckily there was no dialogue in those scenes. We used those last scenes to intercut into scenes shot later with a stand in dog. Off screen she was put to sleep by our Vet and is buried on the Animal Actors farm under a rose called Super Star.
Sadly, Audrey is not the only animal to pass away, which well-known Neighbours pets have you had to say goodbye to?
Harvey worked until he was too arthritic to continue. Casserole the sheep died in real life soon after she 'died ' on screen. Bob still lives here on the farm but his 'death' was very sad on screen. Tazzle (Harold's cat) just faded out without explanation but is still hale and hearty here as well. Rocky the guide dog is now in active service and we are very proud of that even though it was sad to see him go.
How have the names for some of the animals come about?
Most of them are chosen by the writers unless they are already adult (like Jake the black Labrador x who was going to be 'Spud'). We try to persuade them to use the dog's real name in this case as it is easier for the actors to remember their lines and not be distracted by two different names.
Ramsay Street is currently light-on in the animal department – we only have Bossy and haven’t seen Dahl in months. Would you like to see another household get a pet?
Absolutely!
What has been the most bizarre animal requested in a Neighbours script? What has been the most bizarre animal requested in other TV shows and commercials?
As an animal trainer and provider we don't really regard anything as bizarre. This is our job and we have to come up with the goods whatever we are asked for. We don't get too many off beat requests on Neighbours. We have had a lizard, a spider, a turtle and a snake.
Other shows are the same really. It's more the stuff they are asked to do that is bizarre. We have had to train a duck for a stage play (the Wild Duck) and a goat for Porgy and Bess (also on stage). Audrey had several roles as Toto in productions of The Wizard of Oz. The stage shows can be nerve wracking as you don't get a second chance. We had an Elephant in a music video and also an Elephant that had to wreck a car to show it was so well built you could open the door afterwards.
Neighbours has had animals from cats and dogs to kangaroos and galahs, what sort of animals would you love to see appear on the show?
I don't mind really as long as it's a long run!
Finally, for a show that nearly didn’t make its first anniversary, it’s amazing to see it approach 7000 episodes and a 30th anniversary. What do you think is the secret of the ongoing success of Neighbours?
The production values are good, the people are beautiful, the scenery is gorgeous and of course the animals are very talented and extremely cute!
Harvey worked until he was too arthritic to continue. Casserole the sheep died in real life soon after she 'died ' on screen. Bob still lives here on the farm but his 'death' was very sad on screen. Tazzle (Harold's cat) just faded out without explanation but is still hale and hearty here as well. Rocky the guide dog is now in active service and we are very proud of that even though it was sad to see him go.
How have the names for some of the animals come about?
Most of them are chosen by the writers unless they are already adult (like Jake the black Labrador x who was going to be 'Spud'). We try to persuade them to use the dog's real name in this case as it is easier for the actors to remember their lines and not be distracted by two different names.
Ramsay Street is currently light-on in the animal department – we only have Bossy and haven’t seen Dahl in months. Would you like to see another household get a pet?
Absolutely!
What has been the most bizarre animal requested in a Neighbours script? What has been the most bizarre animal requested in other TV shows and commercials?
As an animal trainer and provider we don't really regard anything as bizarre. This is our job and we have to come up with the goods whatever we are asked for. We don't get too many off beat requests on Neighbours. We have had a lizard, a spider, a turtle and a snake.
Other shows are the same really. It's more the stuff they are asked to do that is bizarre. We have had to train a duck for a stage play (the Wild Duck) and a goat for Porgy and Bess (also on stage). Audrey had several roles as Toto in productions of The Wizard of Oz. The stage shows can be nerve wracking as you don't get a second chance. We had an Elephant in a music video and also an Elephant that had to wreck a car to show it was so well built you could open the door afterwards.
Neighbours has had animals from cats and dogs to kangaroos and galahs, what sort of animals would you love to see appear on the show?
I don't mind really as long as it's a long run!
Finally, for a show that nearly didn’t make its first anniversary, it’s amazing to see it approach 7000 episodes and a 30th anniversary. What do you think is the secret of the ongoing success of Neighbours?
The production values are good, the people are beautiful, the scenery is gorgeous and of course the animals are very talented and extremely cute!
Interviewed July 2014