In the upcoming film “Strays,” big names like Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher, and Randall Park might lend their voices to the four canine lead characters, but it’s the real-life dogs and a team of dedicated trainers who put in the hard work to create convincing performances on screen that match their vocal talents.
Director Josh Greenbaum not only meticulously selected the dogs, paralleling the casting process for human actors, but also collaborated closely with head animal trainer Mark Forbes to ensure that the dogs learned the necessary behaviors and activities to authentically convey the story. The movie, written by Dan Perrault, follows a discarded pet on a cross-country journey with three companions to seek revenge on its former owner.
Forbes, who has previously worked on projects like the 1996 live-action “101 Dalmations” and the 2018 remake of “Benji,” emphasized the challenge of casting animals for a film like this. He noted that finding the right look and compatibility between characters was complex, especially for a quartet of main characters with diverse personalities and sizes.
In addition to visual compatibility, Greenbaum aimed to align the dogs’ natural dispositions with their respective character traits. He emphasized wanting to leverage authentic animal behavior rather than relying heavily on computer-generated emotions, particularly for the three out of four lead dogs who had no prior training experience.
While the casting choices for the hero dogs were eventually agreed upon, the filmmakers faced surprises during production, particularly with Dolan, the Great Dane. Forbes recalled the shock of realizing Dolan’s enormous size on set, akin to a small pony.
Greenbaum detailed the challenges of working with Dolan, who was just a year old and prone to bouts of excitement, or “zoomies.” Despite these challenges, Dolan transformed into a remarkable performer, adapting to the demands of his role. In contrast, Reggie and Bug, the other two lead dogs, formed an immediate bond that enhanced their on-screen chemistry.
Preparation involved storyboarding and coordination between the filmmaking team and animal trainers, who each worked with specific dogs. Greenbaum even walked around the set with stuffed animals to plan out scenes. The trainers strategically positioned themselves to guide the dogs during filming while avoiding being captured in the shots.
Forbes humorously noted that filmmakers often underestimate how fast dogs can move, especially when filming scenes involving running dogs. This led to challenges in keeping pace, particularly when multiple dogs were involved.
The film features a range of canine activities, from jumping over fences to comedic behaviors. Some scenes required intricate compositing and CGI enhancements. Even seemingly simple tasks like having the dogs walk in a line proved to be complex due to their competitive nature.
Voice actors were only cast halfway through production, allowing their performances to be tailored to the footage captured on set. Greenbaum highlighted the interplay between improvisation by the voice actors and the filmed dog behavior, demonstrating how both influenced each other.
The director employed various techniques to achieve his vision for “Strays,” including utilizing classic cinematic principles to evoke emotion. He emphasized the role of the camera, blocking, and music in conveying the story’s emotional nuances.
In summary, “Strays” showcases the dedication of real dogs and their trainers in bringing the characters to life on screen. The film’s production highlights the challenges and rewards of working with animals, as well as the creative collaboration between trainers, filmmakers, and voice actors to craft an engaging and authentic narrative.
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