
Please check back with us. We post a new letter every few months.
(reprinted by permission of AHA's Film Unit)
Protecting Animals in Film and Television





In
the 1939 film "Jesse James," a horse and rider jumped off a cliff into
a raging river. The rider lost his hat; the horse lost his life. Shortly after
that needlessly tragic episode, American Humane Association responded to the
public outcry by spearheading an effort to protect all animals in film. AHA
opened its Los Angeles office in 1940 to coordinate ongoing advocacy to protect
animal actors.
American Humane
Association's Western Regional Office, is still the center of operations for
AHA's Film and Television Unit. In 1980 the entertainment industry
entrusted AHA with the sole authority to protect animals used in film and
television through a contract with the Screen Actors Guild. We prevent
mistreatment of animal actors by reviewing scripts and working with trainers and
producers prior to production and by being present on sets when significant
animal activity takes place. This past year, our representatives monitored more
than 850 productions across the United States and in Mexico, Canada, the UK,
Italy, South Africa and Germany. When filming outside the Continental US, just
contact AHA for how to work with our International Monitoring Program.
While on the set, AHA
not only inspects facilities where the animals are housed and cared for during
the production, but also examines the props and sets to ensure that the
well-being of each animal remains the top priority. AHA field reps follow
a set of comprehensive Guidelines covering the wide array of production concerns
(including explosives, costumes, stunts and rigging) that could affect animals
working on film and television sets.
The most critical work,
however, is done before the cameras ever roll. AHA works closely with trainers
and producers to analyze and plan all the animal action during pre-production.
We ensure that stunts, safety measures, camera angles, special effects, and even
lighting, make-up and costumes for animal actors receive the same planning and
consideration as for human stars.
Once filming
ends, AHA writes Reviews describing how the
animal action was accomplished, and rates each production based
exclusively on the treatment of the animals. Those productions rated
"Acceptable" qualify for the official end-credit Disclaimer which only
AHA is sanctioned to award. Ratings and Disclaimers are nationally
published for public awareness.
Guidelines for Protection of All Animals in Film
American
Humane Association’s role is to prevent cruelty to the animal actors that
perform in films and television. Additionally, AHA advocates that all
productions meet the industry endorsed high standard of care as outlined in the
Guidelines and Procedures.
American Humane Association is the only organization authorized by the
entertainment industry to monitor the treatment of animals in film and
television. The Film and TV Unit based in Los Angeles, covers productions
throughout the United States, as well as American productions that are filming
abroad.
Producers are obligated to notify AHA in advance if animals will be used in
their production. This means notifying the Film and TV Unit based in Los
Angeles, regardless of where the filming will occur.
Call locally: 818-501-0123
or our Animal Abuse Hotline: 1-800-677-3420
American
Humane Association is the only organization authorized to give a feature or
television production an official stamp of approval (end credit disclaimer) with
respect to the humane care and treatment of animals.
American Humane Association does not charge for its services within the
Continental United States.
Basic
Principles
No animal will be killed or injured for the sake of a film production.
If an animal must be treated inhumanely to perform, then that animal should not be used.
Animals are NOT props! If an animal is used off camera as background or to attract the attention of an animal being filmed, the same humane guidelines must apply to that animal.
"Animal" means all sentient creatures including birds, fish, reptiles and insects.
Full
version of Guidelines and Procedures is available in Portable Document
Format (PDF). PDF files are compact, cross platform and can be viewed by
anyone with a free Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Acrobat (R), please
download by pressing Acrobat icon below.
If you would like more information about AHA's Film Unit, click on link below
The views of "In the Spotlight" are not necessarily that of Rescue Critters, LLC or that of it's associates. "In the Spotlight" is an editorial newsletter open to the public for submission. Rescue Critters, LLC retains the right to add, remove, and manage this page as it's officers see fit. If you would like to submit material for publication on this page, please contact:
"Changing the Way You Learn"TM
© 1998-2008 Rescue Critters, LLC. All Rights Reserved
Rescue Critters!® is a registered trademark of Rescue Critters, LLC. The distinctive appearance of each of the Rescue Critters!® brand mannikins is a trademark of Rescue Critters, LLC.