Dogpark: The Movie
In 1999, the movie "Dogpark" was released. Written and directed by Bruce McCulloch, we interviewed its star, Janeane Garofalo. Here, from our archives, is what she had to say:
DP: What was it about the script that attracted you to your role in the movie ‘Dog Park’?
JG: Actually, the director, Bruce McCulloch himself was the reason. We’d worked together in the past, and when he called to offer me the part, I didn’t even ask to see the script. I like him both professionally and personally, so I trusted his judgement. I’ve seen the rough cut of the film, and I’m very happy with the result.
DP: Bruce McCulloch also plays your boyfriend in the movie. Is he a better director or kisser?
JG: There were no kissing scenes in the film, so I can’t say. It’s unfortunate - it would have been wonderful. He’s a good director, and I’ll assume he a good kisser, but I have no personal experience.
DP: ‘Dog Park’ and ‘The Truth About Cats and Dogs’ - this makes two movies where dogs have been important in the plot. Conscious decision or happy accident?
JG: Happy accident rather than on purpose, but I do have two dogs myself. They’re sitting next to me here.
DP: Tell us about your dogs.
JG: Dewie is a 3 1/2 year old Ridgeback-Lab mix. I adopted him in Utah. Kid is a one year old Border Collie-coyote mix. They go everywhere with me. I never had a dog before Dewie, and now I’m dog-crazy. I’ll go up and hug dogs on the street because I love dogs so much. I’ve been bitten twice doing that - I think I approached them a little too energetically and scared them. Not their fault.
DP: Do your dogs go with you when you’re working on a film?
JG: Yes, if the movie set allows it. I only bring them along when I’ll be away from home for more than six weeks. Otherwise the air travel is too traumatic for them, especially because they’re big dogs - Dewie is over 100 pounds. I live in New York but spend alot of time in Los Angeles, so I have pet sitters and dog walkers in both towns that take care of them when I’m gone.
DP: Is ‘Dog Park’ based on real-life?
JG: Yes, I think that Bruce based the movie on his own experiences at the dog park. He loves dogs.
DP: Which are easier to work with - dog actors or human actors?
JG: Definitely human actors. Dog actors are so well-trained that they’re own personalities aren’t always apparent, so you miss that loveable, happy dog behavior. On the other hand, dog handlers are much better than stage mothers. The handlers base their training on love, and it’s very clear that the dogs do what they do for love of the human they work with. The closeness between them is very evident.
DP:Which canine actor has had the greatest influence on your own work as an actor?
JG: I can honestly say that I’ve never thought about that. But I did recently see an Italian Film about a street dog with blue paint on his head, and the man who at first tries to kill him is later saved by the dog. The blue paint was a metaphor for something, but I remember the eyes of this dog - it wasn’t overly trained, but had this natural, sweet face. When he looked at this man with those eyes, I cried. You could really see how this dog affected this man, and resonated in his life. That movie dog had an affect on me.
DP: What’s not-to-miss about ‘Dog Park’?
JG: Mike McKinney’s performance as the dog obedience trainer-therapist is worth the price of admission. He’s wonderful in the movie, and he really does love dogs.
