The promo video to Corner Of The Earth, Jamiroquai’s fourth single release from A Funk Odyssey, first appeared on European television at the end of May 2002. Here is a detailed report from part of the filming which gives an interesting insight into how part of this great video was filmed.
words: Natalie Brauer
photos: Natalie Brauer & Suzanne Barlow
My husband and I belong to the Northern Breeds Sledding Club (based in Melkbos, Cape Town), we go every Sunday from 4am in summer and 6am in winter to run the dogs. Dogs absolutely love it! I have attached a few pics from the club (I am the club photographer).
That is how we got involved with Jamiroquai’s music video. Apparently the Animal Wrangler contacted Dog Obedience Schools, who in turn recommended the Northern Breeds Sledding Club (we run about 100 Siberian Huskies, Malamutes, and a few other breeds of dogs every Sunday).
A representative came to the Sledding Club on Sunday, 31st March 2002 to take some photos and submit them to the director to see.
About 20 dogs were selected from all over. A few from our club, a few responded to an advert in the newspaper and some from animal wrangler portfolios.
final selection
We all met at Newlands Forest on the 6th April 2002 at 8am for the animal wrangler to work out «pack dynamics». They had to see who was aggressive and watch for personality clashes (quite involved). The dogs mingled for a while, while we waited for a director to come see and do the final selection.
Holsten (Wolf-Hybrid), Savannah (Wolf-Hybrid), Kanush (Husky cross with some wolf linage), Mira (Husky), Cloudy (Husky) and Shakli (Husky) were selected from the sledding club. Phatz (Wolf-Hybrid) was also selected (Holsten and Savannah’s litter mate). Quantas (Husky cross Alsatian/Wolf cross) was selected (her owner responded to an advert) and Sultan (German Shepherd) was recruited via word of mouth. All these dogs made a «good working» pack and they all seemed to like each other.
snow day
The next meeting point was on Sunday 7th April 2002 at the sledding club’s running spot (Melkbos). Nicole (Animal Wrangler) was there to introduce the dogs to the special effects team and their equipment. That is when the fun started.
The dogs were «introduced» to the foamy snow falling on them. Some took a little while to get used to it – others did not mind the snow at all. They ran off-lead through the snow to their moms and dads.
fire and set day
On Monday 8th April (6pm), we all met on set. There was filming in progress (apparently the Eagle was filmed that day) and we were requested no to go to the filming sections nor take photos of the set as we could get in a shot etc.
The dogs were re-introduced to the snow machine (they changed the snow substance). The dogs were also around a camp fire, none of them seemed worried by the fire.
J.K came around with his feathers and armed with loads of little treats for the dogs – and that is when the dogs finally met Jay Kay. And who couldn’t love him?
No «dog» filming was done that evening – the objective for the evening was to let the dogs see the area, fire, feathers and meet the filming crew.
the big day
Our filming happened on Thursday, 11th April 2002.
We all arrived on set at 3pm and went to an enclosure, where the dogs could chill. While we were there, they were filming «Feather», a beautiful Malamute, who was the lead-dog in the video. The film crew were with her until about 10pm.
During J.K’s breaks – he came to sit with all of us and the dogs (in the enclosure) to chat. This is where we took photos of him and the dogs. We were all extremely impressed as to how down-to-earth he was. We chatted and shared a meal together. He showed us photos of his two Shepherds. Took some pics of his Ferrari Jacket given to him by Michael Schumacher and the team. He signed a few autographs and then was called back to filming again.
At 10.30pm, we were called to the set.
The set was magical, I could not believe that «our» Tokai Forest had been converted into a scene from Alaska. It was breath-taking. All the lights made the snow sparkle!
The set was in a large circular shape, with all the film crew and people at the mouth of the circle. The large circle was enclosed with Hessian walls.
The first few takes were of the dogs sitting around J.K on the rock. This proved a little difficult as the dogs wanted to be with their owners (who were two steps away) and none of the dogs were «experienced set» dogs and most of them had minimal obedience schooling.
It was quite funny. The dogs were led and placed on the rock (with their owners), their leads and collars were taken off and then the owners had to scramble out the way of the camera. Except, the dogs were one second behind the owners!
The director tried that shot a few times and then gave it a rest. The crew were tired and were running out of time.
About 30 minutes later, we were all called back for the «wild wolves running through the forest» scene. The dogs were lead to the back end of the circle and were hidden from sight behind a hill. The owners were up front with the film crew.
J.K had to run out from where the dogs were, and a few seconds later, the dogs ran out to their calling parents. This scene was shot twice, the first was a little confusing as the dogs were released too soon. The second take was perfect. The dogs ran straight to their owners (past the cameras). All dogs were rounded up with big loves and treats. The director said it was a wrap 😉
general information
Holsten and Savannah (and their brother, Phatz) are first generation Wolf Hybrid (known as Wolf dogs in the States). They were 9 months old at the time of the shoot. Very shy animals who need loads of love, understanding and patience.
When approached, I was very concerned about how they would react to the lights, snow etc. Nicole Jennings from Animal Tails (Animal Wrangler company) and Pierre Slabbert (Co-Founder of The Northern Breeds Sledding Club) were with us all the way and watched the dogs at all times. They had our dogs best interests at heart and if the dogs showed any indications of stress, they would have been excluded from the scene.
A special thanks to Nicole, who helped make this a wonderful once-in-a-life-time experience for both dogs and humans alike. And a extra special thanks to Pierre (and his wife Cindy) for helping us «mold» our precious pups into what they are today.
additional photos
Here are a number of additional photos from the video shoot that I was unable to squeeze in above!
Thanks to Natalie Brauer (Northern Breeds Sledding Club), Suzanne Barlow and Nicole Jennings (Animal Tails).
Jamiroquai Peru 