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In this week’s episode of Documentary First, we dive into the heartwarming tale of “Puppy Love,” a documentary chronicling the incredible journey of four paralyzed puppies on the road to recovery.
What began as Gail’s casual filming of her new puppy’s antics took an unexpected turn when the pup faced paralysis. This documentary captures the tireless efforts to help the puppies heal, with a diverse team of camera operators capturing every moment. Gail’s meticulous editing, guided by screenwriting principles, resulted in a 76-minute emotional rollercoaster that has left audiences laughing and in tears.
This project was a labor of love, with volunteers pouring their time and resources into rescuing dogs in need. Remarkably, the production costs stayed under $15,000, thanks to the dedication of everyone involved.
The film sheds light on the vital role of raw food company Darwin’s, whose sponsorship was born out of a positive impact on one of the featured dogs. Their collaboration is a testament to the potential positive change that can come from these stories.
Gail shares valuable lessons for aspiring filmmakers, stressing the importance of dedication, consistency, and never deleting footage or audio. She also highlights the significance of media training and the stark contrast it made in her PR efforts.
With recent release on streaming platforms, Gail looks forward to future screenings, including a dream showing at the Museum of the Dog in NYC. She and Christian discuss the distribution process, expressing gratitude for the support from Documentary First and underlining the crucial role of a strong distributor relationship in successful film promotion.
In the end, “Puppy Love” stands as a powerful testament to the lengths individuals will go to save an animal, showcasing the enduring power of perseverance, sacrifice, and the bond between humans and animals. Gail’s insights into production challenges, collaborative efforts, and future plans for the film offer a captivating glimpse into the world behind this heartwarming documentary.
In “Puppy Love”, the dogs are put on a raw diet to help with their recovery. It was so successful that they continue eating raw today. Some dogs eat home made raw food and others eat food from Darwin’s Natural Pet Products. https://www.darwinspet.com/
DocuView Déjà Vu
Gail: The Pigeon Tunnel, 2023, 92 mins, Watch on Apple TV+, IMDB Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28486633/?ref_=ext_shr
The Deepest Breath, 2023, 108 mins, Watch on Netflix, IMDB Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24132732/?ref_=ext_shr
Timecodes:
Filmmaking journey and first feature film. 0:00
Documentary filmmaking and puppy paralysis. 1:46
Filmmaking and storytelling techniques. 7:45
A heartwarming dog rescue story. 12:29
Film distribution and festival run. 17:03
Tips and challenges. 21:31
Sponsorship, budget, and dog health in a documentary. 27:02
Filmmaking costs and distribution. 31:13
Filmmaking and editing & DocuView Déjà Vu. 36:17
Media training. 40:09