Film Livestock Australia has recently supplied all animals and trainers for the Australian feature film ‘South Solitary’written and directed by Shirley Barrett.

The liberty horse was required to gallop across cliff tops above the ocean and did so magnificantly. Our harness horse was patient with the actor who had to learn to drive him and harness him up. The sheep made outstanding runs through the bush from a start point to their trainer take after take. Pigeons were trained to fly from point A –B and to be handled by the actors for several scenes.

A wonderful performance by all of the animals.

The Pacific is a 10 part mini series from executive producers Steven Spielber and Tom Hanks and produced for HBO. It follows the lives of a number of US Mariens during WWII. The Pacific was shot in Northern Queensland and Victoria

Film Livestock Australia supplied all animals for the series. After their initial prep during pre production the animals travelled to Port Douglas in Northern Queensland for an 8 week shoot. Film Livestock Australia transported 5 dogs and 20 Rats from Victoria to Port Douglas. Many of the reptiles used in the series were sourced in North Qld.

The Rats were required to run from one side of the road to the other and scurry around soldiers and vehicles on their way. This required very repititious and consistent training but they all performed wonderfully on the day for take after take.

Our amazing Kelpie dogs (Whoopie and Ruff) worked with the actors to establish the story of a dog lost in the war zone. One of the Marines 'Hoosier'and adopts the 'stray' and they formed a mateship bond that see’s him care for the dog and bring him back to Australia.

After the Queensland shoot the animals traveled back to Victoria to work at the Docklands studios and locations around Victoria.

Film Livestock Australia also supplied the character dog ‘Deacon’ an English Spinger Spaniel who plays the part of Eugene Sledges’ dog in the first few episodes. Both actor and dog bonded beautifully to display a believable performance.

In addition to the ‘hero’ character dogs, several dogs were trained to play war dogs and ‘strays’ all of whom did a great job.

Other animals include a cow was trained to lie down as part of a scene where it is shot from a train. Birds were trained to fly point A – B  and hundreds of butterflies were supplied to be released during a scene.

Charlottes Webb was shot in Victoria Australia.

Film Livestock Australia were responsible for training the trick and stunt work for the horses and sheep.

The film was shot predominantly on a farm in Victoria and in Melbourne studios. This required traveling animals back and forth daily.

For this production horses needed to be able to rear on cue, lay down and work at liberty. "Ike" our hero horse was required to kick a spider off his back. This was done by teaching the horse to ‘buck on cue’. This is a very dangerous stunt to train however was achieved with precision.

Racing stripes was shot in South Africa in 2003.

Racing Stripes is the story of a Zebra that grows up wanting to be a racehorse.

Pre-Production was based in the Drakensberg ranges, South Africa. Filmlivestock Australia trainers Cody & Sarah Rawson-Harris flew to Africa to train horses bought by the films Production Company.

In all there were 80 horses bought and trained for this production. These horses were trained to work at liberty, perform specialized tricks on cue, work closely with other horses in race scenes and work along side other animals including Zebras, goats, Pelicans, & ponies.

We were required to train the horses to perform a number of tricks including rearing, pounding on a wall and picking up a flag and waving it. Horses were also required to work 6 abreast at liberty. Film Livestock Australia was also responsible for the training of stunt horses and stunt persononelle to perform horse falls and rearing falls and race horse sequences.

 Cody was also responsible for the incredible camera work in the famous race scene where ‘buzz & scuzz’ (fly’s) swoop amongst a field of racehorses. This shot was achieved by Cody galloping his horse and positioning himself amongst the field of 20 horses holding a 35mm hand held camera.

Horses The story of Equus is a story about three Thoughoubred horses; the Racer, the Rascal and the Runaway.

The film was shot in IMAX format (75mm) and was directed by Michael Caulfield.

The film was shot in regional Victoria Australia.

This production provided many challenges that had to be overcome. Locations were often remote and proved challenging to reach with large numbers of horses.  However with good people and extensive planning these obstacles were overcome.

For the race scenes, jockeys and horses had to be taught to ride a choreographed race insetead of riding a real race. This was the key to achieving the required race sequences.

This production saw Cody Rawson- Harris play the on camera roll of horse master. In the film the Rascal, a bay sport horse, doesnt make the grade as an eventer and is sold to a Movie Trainer (Cody). The Rascal is trained to perform many tricks. In the film the Rascal saves his trainer from a burning barn. The Rascal had to be trained to gallop at liberty out of a burning barn with Cody being dragged behind him by a rope.

Snowy River the McGregor Saga was the story of the famous Man from Snowy River in his later years as a family man.

Shooting took place on the edge of the wombat state forest in Victoria.

The series ran for 65 episodes over a period of four years at six to nine month stints.

 Shooting through the winter in Victoria proved to have many challenges. One episode was shot every 9 days so there was no time for taking it easy. A production meeting was required  for every episode and riding lessons for the guest actors that would come and go between episodes.

 This series is special to us because this is where our enthusiasm and the requirements of the production went hand in hand. The production wanted action and lots of horses to create that special feel the series needed.

All the actors had to ride so riding lessons began quick smart. After learning to ride we were shooting four weeks later and all the actors looked like pros.