YouTube to TV: One Anti-Dogfighting Video Debuts in Chicago |
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December 10, 2007
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| The HSUS/Cindy Deir |
| Deir's film will air on television in the Chicago area. |
When Cindy Deir entered The HSUS's Knock Out Animal Fighting video contest, her highest hope was to have her work featured on the website of the nation’s largest animal protection organization.
Little did she know that her winning submission would also become a television commercial airing in her hometown of Chicago. Based on the acclaim given to Deir's video (titled "Ms. Paisley Sky" in honor of the dog featured in the video), The HSUS wanted to introduce Ms. Paisley Sky to television viewers in the Windy City.
The commercial will air more than 15 times on Animal Planet, MSNBC, HLN and MTV2 from Dec. 10–15, between the hours of 4 p.m. and midnight. If you don't live in Chicago, you can watch the original winning video on our YouTube page.
We spoke with Deir about her film before it began airing today.
The HSUS: What started you making films?
Deir: Windows Movie Maker came free on my computer. I started exploring the program and some of its features and realized I could very easily make a video. Then I thought, "What do I want to tell the world?" The first video I made encouraged viewers to rescue animals from a shelter instead of buying from a breeder or pet store.
HSUS: Why have you chosen to focus on animal protection issues and on dogfighting in particular?
Deir: I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the amount of abuse and neglect animals endure because of greed or ignorance. Making films that address these issues is my way of expressing the joy, sadness, hope, frustration, and sometimes anger I feel. It's very therapeutic for me. After I have completed a film, I feel a great sense of relief, like a weight has been lifted.
I have a rescued pit bull, so the violent crime of dogfighting hits close to home for me. My Bully has brought so much joy and happiness to my home, I feel I owe it to him to speak out against those who exploit his breed.
A lot of people have left comments on my films saying "Who cares; it's just a dog. What about the war? What about starving children? What about [insert cause here]?" I actually have a lot of respect for these people. They care about the world around them. So do I. Humans and animals share the earth together. We are connected. When we protect animals, we protect ourselves.
HSUS: In your film, you took a pretty unique angle to get at the issue of dogfighting. Can you talk a little about that, about your choices in making the film?
Deir: I wanted to show the viewer that Paisley's owner has all the power. I also wanted to evoke emotion from the viewer. I used the juxtaposition of happy versus tragic. I showed Paisley in the shadows asking not to fight. I then showed Paisley having fun and being happy.
Paisley has no choice in the matter. Her life can be tragic or it can be happy; her fate is decided by her owner, not her. Paisley, like any other dog, wants playtime, walks, and naps. But in the end, her need-to-please gives her owner the ultimate power; she will fight to the death if that's what her owner wants.
HSUS: Tens of thousands of people have viewed your winning video on YouTube, and many more will now see it on television in the Chicago area. How have people been responding to it?
Deir: Several people have said the film made them cry. I cried quite often while making it. I have received beautiful emails from people thanking me for the work I'm doing and encouraging me to make more videos. A large number of these people are on the front lines of animal rescue. They volunteer at shelters, foster an animal in their own home, have rescued abused animals, or like me, they make videos advocating the protection of animals.
Many people emailed me pictures of their rescued pit bull. I'm amazed at the large number of people involved in animal rescue.
A few comments were made saying the video was too soft; that people need to see the violence of dogfighting. There are many anti-dogfighting videos on YouTube that do depict violence. They are very well-made and highly informative. It's just not my style to use graphic images.
HSUS: Anything else you want to share with our readers or other emerging filmmakers?
Deir: We all have the power to help animals. Even if it's something small like donating an old blanket to your local animal shelter, or big like volunteering your time; you are needed. Every act of kindness counts.
Related Links
Dogfighting
Taking Action to End Dogfighting: How to Spot the Signs and What You Can Do
Animal Cruelty and Fighting
