Destination Wedding (2018)

In the scene when the actors encounter a mountain lion on a hill, prior to shooting the scene the crew was briefed on safety protocols by the trainers. The two mountain lions were brought to the set in a large covered metal livestock trailer towed by a pickup truck. The vehicle and trailer were parked within walking distance to the filming location. Each mountain lion was housed in their own large metal enclosure within the livestock trailer. The enclosures were large enough for the lions to stand and move around. A safety area around the trailer of 100 feet was enforced and only necessary personnel were allowed within this zone. During filming only necessary personnel were allowed at the filming location. The filming location was walked and cleared of any hazards such as downed tree limbs. Once the mountain lion was on set, crew members were not allowed to move from behind the camera unless given the all clear by the trainers.

A metal collar and two ten foot chain leashes were placed around the mountain lion’s neck and the trainer walked him to the filming location. Once they arrived to the location, the trainer attached the end of the chain to the first spike already placed in the ground and they removed the chain from his neck. The trainers then stepped away and allowed the mountain lion to move freely on the chain within a 10 foot radius. He was offered water and food rewards.

On action, the trainers used verbal cues and a stuffy to get the lion to move backwards and forwards. The actors were never close to the mountain lion.