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THE FEROCIOUS PIT, Documentary (30 min.)



Last Updated: 1/23/2008

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Gender: Female
Status: Single
Age: 34
Sign: Sagittarius

City: WEST HOLLYWOOD
State: California
Country: US
Signup Date: 12/29/2007

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Monday, December 31, 2007 

Current mood:  blessed
Category: Pets and Animals

Statement of the Director, Martina Zemlicka, in 2004:

 

Until recently I was quite unaware of the American Pitbull, a breed of dogs less common back home in Europe. That all changed one stormy winter night two days after Christmas Eve 2002. My friend Kelly and I saved a terrified 11 week old puppy from drug addicts looking for their next fix outside a liquor store.

 

The tiny quivering mass, obviously undernourished, traumatized, and possibly mistreated, easily fit on my lap. With her tail tucked between her legs and curled up against her stomach, she looked up at me, her green eyes pleading for tenderness.

 

Granted, this sounds like a B-movie, but this is how my journey with Rainbow began. Kelly, a lifelong dog lover, wouldn't think of keeping a pit bull. I didn't understand why. Researching the Internet, I was stunned trying to reconcile the bloody images of dog fights with the loving puppy snuggled at my feet. The thought of giving her over to a shelter was unthinkable. I wondered - do her genes dictate her behavior or could the conditioning Kelly and I would provide make a difference? I was determined to give it a try.

 

Raising this drolly puppy became a joyful passion for me. At first I walked her off leash and people would cross the street in order to have a chance to meet Rain, who back then looked like a lab. Rain was loved by everyone who met her, and was spoiled by all the attention.

 

Around Rain's first birthday, her Pit bull features became unmistakable. People began backing up and crossing the street to avoid passing her, even when on leash. At the dog park, many owners started to pull away their dogs out of fear of the Pit bull's reputation, but also because of Rain's rough playing  style. I could see the disappointment in Rain's innocent eyes. She didn't understand, and I was not ready to accept the impact of the breed's image on people's responses.

I investigated further and felt compelled to become an advocate for the breed: to warn of it's dangers, but also to show its beautiful, intelligent and submissive side and to teach people how to understand this generally very loving being. The natural vehicle for me to express myself was film.

 

Pit bulls are very loving, smart and powerful. The fact remains that they were originally bred to please their owners - and this unfortunately means to kill. Their name comes from the pits in which they were sent by farmers to kill bulls and tenderize their meat.

 

No dog is a toy you can put away if you get bored. A dog is a life long responsibility - a Pit bull even more so. You don't want to lose your house just because your Pit bull decides to be stubborn for a moment and you fail to correct this behavior.

 

Rain taught me that I must be the Alpha animal at all times. If not, she will take over. It is her natural instinct. She likes to submit to me at any given moment as well as any other family member regardless of age - she is bred to please. After long hours of training she is now conditioned to respond to a mere hand sign.

Monday, December 31, 2007 

Current mood:  artistic

PRODUCTION NOTES The Ferocious Pit:

 

Working with animals

by director Martina Zemlicka

 

At first, shooting Rain was quite a challenge. She had to get used to the camera. Animals, like kids, give you the greatest gifts and do the most unexpected things. This is partly because they are not easy to control, and because you must learn how to program them. Rain didn't understand at first why I suddenly held this squared thing in between us still expecting the same results.

 

I spent a lot of time on my belly/all my fours in order to get the best perspective and to show how beautifully a pit bull can evolve if held in a respective, loving environment. The essential ingredient was a strong hierarchy above her which provided consistent conditioning.

 

The best shots were a result of Rain's curiosity and spontaneity since she saw the whole experience of being a "star" as a game. By the end, her ability to understand and just to know what I wanted or needed.

She definitely knows how to pose. She has a very gentle aura, would always look back - as if making sure that everything was as the director wanted. My conclusion is: she must be able to read thoughts. But off the record, I can tell she is a little disappointed that so far no one asked her for an autograph.

Producing situation in which the film has been realized, referring also to the indicative cost or to the fund raising:

 

The production started out as an UCLA-Filmschool assignment with very limited budget. Director Martina Zemlicka originally created a five-minute documentary using techniques learned in class. Based on audience questions and reaction the filmmaker was inspired to do extensive research about underground Pit bull fighting. This led to a co-operation with Eric Sakach, director of the Human Society of the US. His experience as undercover agent for ten years helped to create this powerful piece. In a painstaking process of focus and effort – Martina Zemlicka has created an edgy, beautiful short documentary that reveals both, her talent and dedication to good film making.

 

Location blessing:

by director Martina Zemlicka

 

In the process of creating The Ferocious Pit we were able to discover the spectacular Hollywood Hills residence of Business Week account manager, Pit bull owner and former motocross rider and racer, Kelly Daugherty.

 

This beautiful location is since used regularly by the top location agencies in Los Angeles and was featured in the February issue of Los Angeles Magazine.

Monday, December 31, 2007 

Current mood:  accomplished
Category: Pets and Animals

Director: Martina Zemlicka

 

3-LINE SYNOPSIS:

 

The American Pit Bull Terrier is one of the most feared dog breeds. Dog fighting has become a 'pervasive poison'. Not just gangs, but also children are found cheering on dogs in fights to death.

 

This documentary film by Martina Zemlicka takes you into the underground world of professional dog fighting exposing the brutality of "The Sport" to the destiny of a rednose pit rescued into a loving home. Venture into a world known by few and decide for yourself whether the bad reputation of the "The Ferocious Pit" is fact or fiction.

 

 

How the world around me reacted:

 

As soon as my Pit Bull puppy lost it's baby features I saw myself confronted with the public's fear and prejudices. As a filmmaker I felt the urge to advocate in favor of this misunderstood and if abused very dangerous breed.

 

As Pit Bulls are legal in the United States and can be found in almost every neighbor hood it is essential for every citizen to be aware of the breed and respect its power and upbringing.

 

 

PROGRAMMING DESCRIPTORS:

 

FORMS: Documentary, Digital, Short (Other)

GENRES: Educational, Underground, Nature, Crime, Cult, Independent, Rejected, Sport, Urban, Action/Adventure, Reality, Docu-Drama, Supernatural

 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

 

Country of production:        USA, Los Angeles

Year of production:             2004

Format:                            Video           

Running Time:                    30 minutes

 

 

125-WORD SYNOPSIS.

 

This film by Martina Zemlicka takes you into the underground world of professional dog fighting exposing the brutality of "The Sport" to the destiny of a rednose pit rescued into a loving home.

 

The American Pit Bull Terrier is one of the most feared dog breeds. Dog fighting has become a 'pervasive poison'. Not just gangs, but also children are found cheering on dogs in fights to death. The potential for damage to their heart and mind is frightening.

 

"The Ferocious Pit" is a documentary that allows the viewers the opportunity to decide for themselves whether the stereotype of the breed known as "The Pit Bull" is fact or fiction. Venture into a world known by few and decide for yourself about "The Ferocious Pit".

 

 

250-WORD SYNOPSIS.

 

In a painstaking process of love and effort – Martina Zemlicka has created an edgy, beautiful short documentary that reveals both, her talent and dedication to good film making.

The Ferocious Pit takes you into the underground world of professional dog fighting exposing the brutality of "The Sport" to the destiny of a rednose pit rescued into a loving home.

 

Every 40 seconds someone in the United States seeks medical attention for a dog bite-related injury. At least 25 breeds of dogs have been involved in 238 human dog bite related deaths during the past 20 years. Pit bull-type dogs and Rottweillers were involved in over half of these deaths. (CDC Injury Fact Book 2001/02)

 

The American Pit Bull Terrier is one of the most feared dog breeds. Dog fighting has become a 'pervasive poison'. Not just gangs, but also children are found cheering on dogs in fights to death. The potential for damage to their heart and mind is frightening.

 

The Ferocious Pit is a documentary that allows the viewers the opportunity to decide for themselves whether the stereotype of the breed known as "The Pit Bull" is fact or fiction. Venture into a world known by few and decide for yourself about "The Ferocious Pit".

Monday, December 31, 2007 

Current mood:  artistic
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

BIOGRAPHIE of the Director:

 

Martina Zemlicka is a filmmaker who has produced television talk shows and life-style-magazines and directed short documentaries and films for the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation for six years.

 

Realizing her true passion lies in filmmaking, she then came to LA to pursue her goals as a director. Her Administration and Business Degree and UCLA Certificate in Film form a solid foundation upon which she has launched the creative directing work she is doing in California.

 

In 2003 Vienna's Museum of Technology approached Martina Zemlicka to direct and produce a story on the development of Media Monitoring, an international interactive production titled "The Clipping Quest", now part of their permanent exhibition. Prior to that she has produced several films, namely "Peace Of Heart", "Lidia" and "Invisible".

 

Martina Zemlicka was a jury member at the 2003 International Karlovy Vary Film Festival in her native country Czech Republic and represented Austria in the FIPRESCI jury selecting the best film from the Official Selection / Competition feature films (International Critics' Prize).

Her directorial project on her slate of production is a documentary about Pit Bulls. "The Ferocious Pit" premiered at the Artivist Filmfestival in Los Angeles in April 2004 and was in the top three to win the audience award.

 

Martina Zemlicka has also established Happysunfish Productions, Inc. a production company which is creating motion picture / multimedia projects within the US, constituting a link between Europe and North America.

 

More info at: http://shootingpeople.org/cards/happysunfish

 

BIOGRAPHIE of the Associate Producers:

 

Sonia Laszlo and Martina Zemlicka successfully produced Lidia a 35mm

short and The Clipping Quest an interactive application for the Austrian museum of Technology. Ferocious Pit marks their third production under the Happysunfish Productions banner. Sonia Laszlo began her career in journalism. She has been working in different parts of the media field and for various outlets from a very young age, including Austria's first national public radio station, on which she hosted her own radio show, as well as staff writer for other print and web media. The young woman has already served as a jury member at the 2003 Berlin Film Festival and the 2001 Chicago Film Festival. She holds a Masters degree in Theatre, Media and Communication Science from the University of Vienna and is a MPAA and Fipresci member.Besides producing, Sonia Laszlo currently studies acting at Playhouse West with Sean Barnes, Mark Pellegrino and Jeff Goldblum and has appeared in many independent and student productions.

 

Matt Scott (Editor) - After graduating in 2000 from USC Film School he

landed his first of many non-fiction and reality television gigs working for

NBC News.  He followed this experience up with gigs on "The Real World", "The New Tom Green Show" and "Taxicab Confessions." In the summer of 2002 Matt discovered his passion for documentaries when he joined Karin Hayes and Vicky Bruce telling the story of kidnapped columbian politician on Ingrid Betancourt in "Missing Peace." (now "The Kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt", HBO, 2004) which would go on to win many accolades including the Audience Award for Best feature at Slamdance. Recently Matt has been working with Vivendi Universal Games and G4/Tech TV creating promotional materials for video games while continuing to pursue documentary and independent film projects.