An Animal Presentation

Did you know in 2017 it is estimated that 12m (44% of) households have pets? And the pet population stands at around 54 million? These can be your average dog, cat or hamster but what if I told you that animals from the wild can be domesticated. Having exotic pets is becoming a social normality but why? And is it really safe to keep a wild animal trapped inside a domesticated bubble?

Humans have always loved their pets and the ancient Egyptian pharaohs would be buried with their animals so they live together in the afterlife, which is slightly weird. The fascination and comfort of having pets has always been with humanity. But what is the obsession with having the most dangerous of animals as pets? If dinosaurs still existed, would people take it upon themselves to really keep a T-Rex in their background to play fetch with?

My documentary aims to teach people about the joys and responsibilities of having an animal as a pet. There are pros and cons to having any animal but the risks are much higher if someone spontaneously decided to bring a wild tiger home to their family as a pet. My documentary is targeted to 16-24 year olds. Not only is this because all Four’s audience is this age but because people at this age are still learning and making their own minds up and they will be impressionable. If they are aware of the dangers involving wild animals as pets, they may think twice and purchase a goldfish instead. I want my documentary to have both sides of the argument. I want the audience to understand that animals in the wild are meant to be kept in the wild. I want my documentary to inspire young people for them to understand the risk but I want this to come across as an entertaining way, not to highlight all the negative aspects.

I have already contacted those who I wish to take part in. I have contacted a lady who owns several different animals such as a pig, a parrot, a horse and a raccoon, which just happens to by my favourite animal. I want to know why she has these animals and how much time she must take out of her day to look after them. I am also contacting local pet shops and an exotic pet shop in the heart of Bury, called “Exotic Feathers”.

It will take three weeks to film and get the materials together and it will take three weeks in post-production where I can use the footage to create the desired image for the documentary. This will all have been completed by May. I am looking to be broadcasting my documentary at eight o’clock on a Thursday night, I have chosen Thursday as it is in the middle of the week and as my target audience as students, they will want a break from coursework. I know I do. This is a perfect escape for students who are stressed with coursework and want a night off.