Animal Actors provides the animals that appear on the show, what does this role involve?
Lots of training! And not just sit, stay etc. but taking your animal everywhere and getting it accustom to lots of different environments. It also involves working closely with the cast, crew and writers to make sure we achieve the desired outcome and our animal is kept safe and comfortable.
How did you get involved in the television industry?
Christine started over 40 years ago on a program called " This week has seven days " with a little segment within the program talking about animals, she then started working on Young Ramsey as an animal wrangler and vet nurse, the business just bloomed from there.
What does the average day on the set of Neighbours involve for you?
We get to work and Bossy has a run, we then either travel to the green room for pats or, if we are on location, we run around and get pats. We sometimes rehearse scenes, depending on what is required, and often I end up in weird positions trying to get a correct eye line for Boss. We then go for another run and head home. If it is a long day, she has her own spot in the green room to rest.
Lots of training! And not just sit, stay etc. but taking your animal everywhere and getting it accustom to lots of different environments. It also involves working closely with the cast, crew and writers to make sure we achieve the desired outcome and our animal is kept safe and comfortable.
How did you get involved in the television industry?
Christine started over 40 years ago on a program called " This week has seven days " with a little segment within the program talking about animals, she then started working on Young Ramsey as an animal wrangler and vet nurse, the business just bloomed from there.
What does the average day on the set of Neighbours involve for you?
We get to work and Bossy has a run, we then either travel to the green room for pats or, if we are on location, we run around and get pats. We sometimes rehearse scenes, depending on what is required, and often I end up in weird positions trying to get a correct eye line for Boss. We then go for another run and head home. If it is a long day, she has her own spot in the green room to rest.
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 Neighbours now for over 25 years on and off. There has only been two occasions to find doubles and it was quite easy to do. It’s always good in any industry to have a full time job, especially when the people you work with are so fantastic.
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?
The actors who have worked with Bossy are fantastic. I guess the hardest part is asking Bossy to follow them like she belongs in the house as she is often looking to me for direction. Nothing a good treat can’t fix though!
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?
I have never really come across anyone who hasn't bonded with Boss. Of course some are keener for love but as she has been there since 8 weeks she is kind of part of the family.
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 start training from a very early age and most animals are very good in front of the camera from the get go. It's more about making sure they are comfortable in their surrounding environment and not allowing them to become stressed or frightened and then, eventually they just see the studio as another house. So long as you understand animals they are not difficult to work with, however things like sheep and pigs, animals not always on lead or inside, can be more challenging.
We have been working on Neighbours now for over 25 years on and off. There has only been two occasions to find doubles and it was quite easy to do. It’s always good in any industry to have a full time job, especially when the people you work with are so fantastic.
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?
The actors who have worked with Bossy are fantastic. I guess the hardest part is asking Bossy to follow them like she belongs in the house as she is often looking to me for direction. Nothing a good treat can’t fix though!
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?
I have never really come across anyone who hasn't bonded with Boss. Of course some are keener for love but as she has been there since 8 weeks she is kind of part of the family.
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 start training from a very early age and most animals are very good in front of the camera from the get go. It's more about making sure they are comfortable in their surrounding environment and not allowing them to become stressed or frightened and then, eventually they just see the studio as another house. So long as you understand animals they are not difficult to work with, however things like sheep and pigs, animals not always on lead or inside, can be more challenging.
In 2012, Bossy arrived on the show and has become a popular and central character. Do you think she will become the next Bouncer?
Bouncer could never be replaced. Each animal has its own special place within a show and I hope Bossy has hers. We have more time restraints these days than they did back in the 80s, so we can't always do intense filming with Boss but she can hold her own.
How did the name Bossy come about?
Bossy was named after Kyle and Jade were talking about Sheila and called her Bossy, which is what the puppy responded to. We could of given her a non-character name but Bossy IS Bossy!
The Kennedys own a galah named Dahl, given to them by Brett Stark. A bird would obviously be a little bit harder to train than a dog. How do you go about training the animals that are different from your regular household pets?
We use a method called clicker training, often used in zoos, as this is the best way to train different types of animals. It uses positive reinforcement methods and can also be used on the spot, once the clicker has been established, should the need arrive for any last minute additions to scenes.
Speaking of Dahl, he hasn’t been seen on screen for a while. Are the animals affected when they haven’t been in the script for a while? Will we seen Dahl again anytime soon?
It’s up to the writers when animals would be used again In the show. Of course we would always like to be surrounded by many animals but it's not always possible The animals are fine if they are not used, we still keep up training and they still get just as much attention.
Bouncer could never be replaced. Each animal has its own special place within a show and I hope Bossy has hers. We have more time restraints these days than they did back in the 80s, so we can't always do intense filming with Boss but she can hold her own.
How did the name Bossy come about?
Bossy was named after Kyle and Jade were talking about Sheila and called her Bossy, which is what the puppy responded to. We could of given her a non-character name but Bossy IS Bossy!
The Kennedys own a galah named Dahl, given to them by Brett Stark. A bird would obviously be a little bit harder to train than a dog. How do you go about training the animals that are different from your regular household pets?
We use a method called clicker training, often used in zoos, as this is the best way to train different types of animals. It uses positive reinforcement methods and can also be used on the spot, once the clicker has been established, should the need arrive for any last minute additions to scenes.
Speaking of Dahl, he hasn’t been seen on screen for a while. Are the animals affected when they haven’t been in the script for a while? Will we seen Dahl again anytime soon?
It’s up to the writers when animals would be used again In the show. Of course we would always like to be surrounded by many animals but it's not always possible The animals are fine if they are not used, we still keep up training and they still get just as much attention.
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?
I couldn't go when it was Audrey’s last scene, Christine took her and it was very emotional. I went with her when we finally had to have her put to sleep and neither of us could drive as we were too upset. We took her home and buried her and decided we would start a cancer fund for dogs as we wanted to help people in our situation.
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?
For Neighbours it would have to be Ants. Otherwise flies and 100 rabbits.
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 would love to have a horse on the show. It’s not practical but I'm a mad horse person and having one on every day would be heaven.
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?
I think it's an amazing group of people who just work well together, they seem to cast the right people for the correct part, the story lines are not crazy or farfetched. They have a good connection to the UK and, as such, do lots of travel, and pay respect to the fans. The crew are amazing and the publicity has always been well done. Plus it was just the bomb in the 80s and 90s and I think we just all got hooked and enjoy seeing people grow and change.
I couldn't go when it was Audrey’s last scene, Christine took her and it was very emotional. I went with her when we finally had to have her put to sleep and neither of us could drive as we were too upset. We took her home and buried her and decided we would start a cancer fund for dogs as we wanted to help people in our situation.
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?
For Neighbours it would have to be Ants. Otherwise flies and 100 rabbits.
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 would love to have a horse on the show. It’s not practical but I'm a mad horse person and having one on every day would be heaven.
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?
I think it's an amazing group of people who just work well together, they seem to cast the right people for the correct part, the story lines are not crazy or farfetched. They have a good connection to the UK and, as such, do lots of travel, and pay respect to the fans. The crew are amazing and the publicity has always been well done. Plus it was just the bomb in the 80s and 90s and I think we just all got hooked and enjoy seeing people grow and change.
Interviewed April 2014