You know it's going to be a tough day at work when you have to play with dogs. The struggle is real. But seriously, sign me up for your next animal movie Ken Marino! While I was in LA for the premiere of Dog Days, I got a chance to talk with the stars and director of the film. They shared about their four-legged co-stars, challenges while filming, and why it was important to make a family friendly movie.
Thank you LD Entertainment for providing travel and accommodations for the Dog Days premiere. All opinions are my own.
7 Things I Learned From The Dog Days Cast Interview
They are all animal lovers and working on this movie made them love them more or less, if your name is Adam Pally.
Tone: I fell more in love with our furry friends. Maverick (Nina's dog) was on set everyday. Maverick is my niece now.
Ken: For me, I've always been a die hard dog lover. So nothing changed.
Nina: What if you said that you weren't? (Laughs)
Adam: I actually fell out of love with dogs after this movie. Huge dog person before, now I love cats. (Laughter) Cats and Lizards.
Nina: Look for the sequel, Cat Days.
Adam: Cat Nights (Chuckles)
When it came to casting, it was all about the dogs. At least at first.
Ken: When we cast the dogs, I asked who are your rock star dogs? The first dog that we cast was Charlie. He's odd, quirky, goofy. They (the dogs) all had something special.
Nina: Fun fact, every single one of the dogs were cast before any of the cast members.
Ken: Maverick was a little late to the game.
Nina: But that didn't stop me from sneaking her into the back of every single shot.
Doggy mints are a scam and when your co-star is a cute dog there are definitely some challenges.
Nina: It was a challenge not being distracted and wanting to cuddle them all day. There just so cute, so well behaved, and smart.
Adam: Hot tip: Doggy mints don't work. That is a product that lies to you.
Nina wasn't always a dog owner, but knew the importance of our furry friends.
Nina: I was a cat lady for 18 years. I got her when I was 9 and when she passed away when I was 27 it was the first time in my life I had ever truly been alone. I realized how co-dependent I was, and how much I needed a furry friend to get through my days.
When you mix animals with people on set, misadventures are going to happen. Dog Days was no exception. Adam had the most um, thrown at him.
Ken: Every once in awhile, Charlie got a little excited and took it out on Adam.
Adam: I wouldn't say took it out. (Laughter) He showed his affection. I'm not going to press charges or anything. (Laughs)
Vanessa and Nina found themselves relating to the struggles their characters worked through.
Vanessa: When I woke up at 27 I felt like I had no idea who I was or what I was doing with my life. And that is where you meet Tara. In a sense we are all looking for our greater purpose.
Nina: Everyone seems put together but we are all quietly falling apart on the inside. She's constantly trying to prove to the world she is fine. Even when she gets heartbroken, she won't admit to the dog therapist she is talking about herself. She doesn't trust anyone. I feel like its hard once you've had your heart broken to trust again, until you find the person that makes you believe.
As I said in my Dog Days Review, this is a kid friendly movie. And that is intentional on the part of Ken Marino. It was important to him to make a family movie.
Ken: Right now, the world is a crazy place. I wanted to do a movie I could share with my children. I feel like right now, it is important to have movies where you can bring your whole family and escape the madness out there.
IT’S A DATE! DOG DAYS IS IN THEATERS NOW!
