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You are here: Home / Kitty Wisdom / Cat Training Like a Movie Star

Cat Training Like a Movie Star

April 25, 2016 By: Summer Samba44 Comments

somali cat sitting pretty

I ran across a story about the kitten(s) that starred in Keanu, which is coming out this week. In case you don’t know anything about this film, here’s the plot: Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele are a couple of dorky middle-class humans. When their adorable kitten is catnapped by a drug dealer, they have to pretend to be thugs themselves to get him back. So basically, the kitten is the star of the film, no matter what billing the humans get.

Here’s a trailer for the movie (warning for the sensitive — there is violence and some HBO words):

If you can’t see the above video, click here to watch it on YouTube!

The Hollywood Reporter story I found mentions something that some of you may not know: often in movies, multiple cats or kittens are used to play one part… at least when there are real cats at all — way too many films these days rely on CGI animals. This one didn’t, and I give them a high paw for that! Keanu required seven different cute tabby kittens, each with his own set of stunts. They picked tabbies (which they got from the shelters) because they were common and it was easy to match patterns. The kittens were trained especially for the movie, and when they weren’t in scenes, they doubled as therapy for the cast and crew… and all of them wound up with homes! Three of them stayed with the trainer and the rest went to regular households — or as regular as an entertainment industry home can be (my human knows because she grew up in one).

The story also mentioned some of the training techniques — and they are a lot of the same things I do! The kittens were trained to wear hats by using treats — and you can bet I got lots of treats for wearing this awful thing.

somali cat posing in elf hat

The kittens were also trained on location — the same way my human puts me through my paces when I’m at loud, noisy cat shows. In fact, I enjoy doing tricks for visitors at cat shows, and a couple of times my human even let a kid do high fives with me! That was fun. I’m still learning how to ring the bell, but once I do, it’s coming with me to cat shows.

somali cat ringing a desk bell

The important thing is that the humans let the kittens set the pacing. And that is really how cat training goes — it’s more the cat showing the humans what they like to do, and then the humans helping the cats make the most of it. A trainer can mold a dog’s behavior. We cats do it the opposite way — we mold the trainer’s behavior. And even Hollywood trainers have to bow to the whims of the tiniest kitten.

somali cat raising paw for high five

My human is going to see Keanu when it comes out! Is it the sort of movie you’d watch?

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Comments

  1. Xenabobb says

    June 17, 2019 at 9:50 am

    I did enjoy that movie.

    Reply
  2. Catherine Lingg says

    May 31, 2019 at 12:45 am

    This is clearly an old blog Summer. I am fearful of movies that feature animals. I typically wind up crying and having to leave. Marley and Me for example, Water for my Horses, that ended very badly for me, Flipper, well you get it. I’m sure Keanu was fine but I know better now. If kitty was ever in any danger I’d be balling like a five year old (Pssst Summer, I can watch people getting killed in movies and not even flinch) Guess I’m a little crazy, or just love animals more than humans. Right or wrong, they are my heart

    Reply
  3. SELINA says

    May 30, 2019 at 2:39 pm

    So cool!

    Purrz!
    Selina

    Reply
  4. M. K. Clinton says

    April 30, 2016 at 4:58 pm

    I’m sure that it will be a fur-tastic movie. My daughter and her husband went to see it today!

    Reply
  5. Kitties Blue says

    April 30, 2016 at 9:21 am

    They had a story about the training of the kittens for the movie in our newspaper today. The movie got a good rating, but Mom will probably wait until it comes to TV. Our humans like movies but rarely find time to go. Good luck with ringing that bell, Summer. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

    Reply
  6. Marty the manx says

    April 27, 2016 at 5:54 pm

    Keanu the kitten(s) rocks! I will have to rent it when it comes out just to see them! (I can’t go to movies because I am allergic to the dye they use in the popcorn machines-anaphalaxis) Thanks for sharing the info on training too, I loved your post today 🙂
    Marty’s Mom

    Reply
  7. Pipo/Minko/MrJackFreckles says

    April 26, 2016 at 11:32 pm

    We like that its done with real kitties.
    How great that they are all in real homes now. A good reward fur a job well done!

    Pee Ess…not sure if the movie is the kind that meowmy would actually want to see…but maybe on account of the kitty, MOL!

    Reply
  8. Spitty the Kitty says

    April 26, 2016 at 9:03 pm

    Well, we’d like the movie WAAAAAAY better if you were in it, Summer, but the Human does like Key and Peele and that kitten *is* pretty cute, so . . . . maybe.

    Reply
  9. Nerissa's Life says

    April 26, 2016 at 8:50 pm

    OH. MY. MOUSES. I should so take the peep to see that movie on Mother’s Day. You think they’ll let me in the theatre? Purrs, Seville.

    Reply
  10. caren gittleman says

    April 26, 2016 at 10:24 am

    Great minds!!!! I was going to blog about this tomorrow and then changed my mind (I hadn’t seen your post yet, but changed my mind before I saw this!) Also, all of the kittens that were on The Today Show today are adoptable at Northshore Animal League!

    Reply
  11. Kitty Cat Chronicles says

    April 26, 2016 at 5:27 am

    We think you ‘re going to be a movie star someday, Summer! You’ve got the moves!

    Reply
  12. Jo-Anne says

    April 25, 2016 at 8:24 pm

    Thumbs up from me, and see happy face ok you can’t see my happy face but I have one

    Reply
  13. Cathy Keisha says

    April 25, 2016 at 5:08 pm

    I’m glad the cats do the training cos it sounds awfully close to being more dog. BTW, you should be in the movies.

    Reply
  14. Brian Frum says

    April 25, 2016 at 4:51 pm

    Well pretty Summer, you could be the star of any movie!

    Reply
  15. BeadedTail says

    April 25, 2016 at 4:44 pm

    Summer, we think you should be a movie star! That trailer was funny! We’d have to make 1000% sure the kitty doesn’t get hurt in any way before our mommy could go see it. She’s one of those wusses who’s eyes leak if a cartoon kitty gets hurt. Yep, she’s weird.

    Reply
  16. Melissa, Mudpie & Angel Truffles says

    April 25, 2016 at 4:34 pm

    Not my usual type of movie but with a feline star I’ll be watching for sure!

    Reply
  17. The Island Cats says

    April 25, 2016 at 4:21 pm

    We’ve heard that they usually use mutiple animals in movies. We think it would be fun to be in a movie. And we might even consider wearing hats if it got us lots of treats.

    Reply
  18. Harvey, Miranda,Silver and Dusty says

    April 25, 2016 at 4:06 pm

    That really does look a fun (if rather extravagently gun filled) movie!

    Reply
  19. Laila and Minchie says

    April 25, 2016 at 3:45 pm

    Very interesting post, Summer! Mom isn’t sure if she’s going to see that movie and will wait to see what the local critics say but most times she doesn’t rely on them.

    Reply
  20. Maxwell, Faraday & Allie says

    April 25, 2016 at 3:20 pm

    The human totally cracked up over that trailer!

    Reply
  21. Sometimes Cats Herd You says

    April 25, 2016 at 2:45 pm

    You are ready to be a big star, Summer!

    Reply
  22. Marianne says

    April 25, 2016 at 2:29 pm

    Are you going to be a movie star cat someday, Summer? I’d love to watch a movie starring you.

    Reply
  23. Small Town Mommy says

    April 25, 2016 at 1:48 pm

    I definitely want to see Keanu. Anything about cats is ok with me.

    Reply
  24. Toby says

    April 25, 2016 at 1:15 pm

    Please let us know how if the movie is good – mom may want to see it!

    Reply
  25. Fur Everywhere says

    April 25, 2016 at 12:42 pm

    I never knew they use multiple cats or kittens to play parts in movies, but it makes total sense. I wonder if your human will be able to tell the kitties apart!

    Reply
  26. Emma and Buster says

    April 25, 2016 at 12:34 pm

    We are so happy that the kitties got furever homes.

    Reply
  27. Patty says

    April 25, 2016 at 12:30 pm

    Gangster cat! heh
    That is so funny.
    I think you would make an excellent movie star Summer.

    Reply
  28. Random Felines says

    April 25, 2016 at 11:01 am

    mom keeps seeing previews – it really isn’t her kind of movie, but she sure loves the kittens. and the guys did part of their PR tour in cat cafes. how cool is that?? If you have the same training, are you going to try out for the next movie?

    Reply
  29. jansfunnyfarm says

    April 25, 2016 at 10:41 am

    We weren’t even sure what was going on in that trailer so we’re not sure we’d make it through a whole movie.

    Reply
  30. Ellen Pilch says

    April 25, 2016 at 9:50 am

    Summer, I bet you could star in a movie all by yourself with no extra kitties to play you.

    Reply
  31. Tamago says

    April 25, 2016 at 9:28 am

    I’m very happy to hear the kitties starred in the movie found homes 🙂

    Reply
  32. Dawn and kiki says

    April 25, 2016 at 9:20 am

    Thanks Summer! That movie just looks like a dose of funny entertainment. Please keep us posted, we have to see it!!!
    KEANU!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Yes we are too excited.

    Purrs xoxo

    Reply
  33. Craig s. c. okajima says

    April 25, 2016 at 7:46 am

    Summer, the FIRST photo looks exactly like the very first Twitter photo of yours that I saw, that made me fall in love with you!! I think of that as the “Classic Pretty Cat Summer Samba Pose!”

    In that particular pose, your front feet are together, you’re standing up (like an Egyptian Cat Sculpture), look very pretty, kind of like a fox!

    And, the last one is another “Gentle Playful Pretty” look!

    Reply
  34. dma says

    April 25, 2016 at 6:59 am

    i love key and peele.

    Reply
  35. LP says

    April 25, 2016 at 6:47 am

    That’s great that four of the kittens found homes after the movie was completed! 🙂

    the critters in the cottage xo

    Reply
  36. Three chatty cats says

    April 25, 2016 at 6:06 am

    Love this post and love that they used shelter kittens who now all have homes. Yes, I will be seeing this movie. I know it will be very silly, but silly is right up my alley! I also love Key and Peele. So throw in a kitten, and it’s a must-see!

    Reply
  37. Mr. Chivers, Greyson, and Tabitha says

    April 25, 2016 at 5:42 am

    Oh yeah, you bet mom and dad are going to see the movie. Mom can’t wait. Gotta check out this Keanu. It’s so cool how kitties mold the trainers. You never know Summer, you might be the next sensation. Purrs

    Reply
  38. HaHnnah and Lucy says

    April 25, 2016 at 4:55 am

    The kitten was surely the best actor in the film.

    Reply
  39. Katie Isabella says

    April 25, 2016 at 4:17 am

    I decided to not let mom see the violence or singe our earsies BUT we may go back and watch anyway I will make up my mind. xoxox

    Reply
  40. Madi says

    April 25, 2016 at 3:55 am

    Oh Summer what a fun movie.
    Golly gee wish I had known I could get treats for wearing a hat.
    I tell you one thing you look great in hats!!
    hugs madi your bfff

    Reply
  41. Mickey's Musings says

    April 25, 2016 at 1:14 am

    That does look like a neat movie!
    We like that cats mold the trainers behavior too 😉
    Purrs Georgia and Julie,
    Treasure and JJ

    Reply
  42. The kitties of purring pines says

    April 25, 2016 at 1:07 am

    Yeah, that kitty is the star!

    Reply
  43. Mark's Mews says

    April 25, 2016 at 12:53 am

    We decided to skip the possible violence, but Harray fer the kitteh being a star of a movie.

    Reply
  44. Ratty says

    April 25, 2016 at 12:34 am

    Maybe that’s a good way to rescue kittens; put them all in the movies.

    Reply

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