Air Bud (1997)

Director:

Charles Martin Smith

Writers (WGA):

Kevin DiCicco (character "Air Bud")
Paul Tamasy (written by) ...
(more)

Release Date:

1 August 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Sport

Tagline:

He Sits. He Stays. He Shoots. He Scores.

Plot:

A young boy and a talented stray dog with an amazing basketball playing ability become instant friends...

Plot Keywords:

Basketball | Young Boy | Golden Retriever | Dog | Sports Team

Awards:

3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Michael Jeter	...	Norm Snively
Kevin Zegers	...	Josh Framm
Wendy Makkena	...	Jackie Framm
Bill Cobbs	...	Arthur Chaney
Eric Christmas	...	Judge Cranfield
Jay Brazeau	...	Referee 1
Nicola Cavendish	...	Principal Pepper
Brendan Fletcher	...	Larry Willingham
Norman Browning	...	Buck Willingham
Stephen E. Miller	...	Coach Barker
Shayn Solberg	...	Tom
Chris Turner	...	Greg
Christine Kennedy	...	Melissa
Frank C. Turner	...	Bailiff
Marion Dodd	...	Reporter (as Marian Dodd)
Ursula Martin	...	Party Mom
Kevin DiCicco	...	Referee 2
Jessebel Mather	...	Andrea Framm
Kati Mather	...	Andrea Framm
Buddy the Dog	...	Buddy / Air-Bud
Kodi Bbela	...	Basketball Player - Timberwolves
Chris Davies	...	Basketball Player - Timberwolves
Joel Haywood	...	Basketball Player - Timberwolves
Lewis Pierce	...	Basketball Player - Timberwolves
Jason Qi	...	Basketball Player - Timberwolves
Jack Van Eijnsbergan	...	Basketball Player - Timberwolves
Ryan Van Eijnsbergan	...	Basketball Player - Timberwolves
Yashar Zandiyeh	...	Basketball Player - Timberwolves
Acram Adam	...	Basketball Player - Warriors
Marcus Bisset-Covaneiro	...	Basketball Player - Warriors
Phillip Bisset-Covaneiro	...	Basketball Player - Warriors
Miles Bridge	...	Basketball Player - Warriors
Fenton Fisher	...	Basketball Player - Warriors
Josh Jassebi	...	Basketball Player - Warriors
Mariel Losso	...	Basketball Player - Warriors
Nile Nurse	...	Basketball Player - Warriors
Jay Vidler	...	Basketball Player - Warriors
Colin Bradner	...	Additional Basketball Player
Colby Chartrand	...	Additional Basketball Player
Michael Davies	...	Additional Basketball Player
Tom Hearn	...	Additional Basketball Player
Mark Jackson	...	Additional Basketball Player
John Jassebi	...	Additional Basketball Player
David Katz	...	Additional Basketball Player
Levon Kendall	...	Additional Basketball Player
Tyler Mooi	...	Additional Basketball Player
Jordie Price	...	Additional Basketball Player
Marc Rinfret	...	Additional Basketball Player
Matthew Rollinson	...	Additional Basketball Player
Dustin Smiley	...	Additional Basketball Player
Stefan Verster	...	Additional Basketball Player
Ian Watson	...	Additional Basketball Player
William Wong	...	Additional Basketball Player
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sean M. Reed	...	Sticky (uncredited)

Directed by
Charles Martin Smith

Writing credits (WGA)
Kevin DiCicco		(character "Air Bud")
Paul Tamasy		(written by) &
Aaron Mendelsohn		(written by)

Produced by
James A. Jusko	....	associate producer
Michael Potkins	....	line producer
Michael Strange	....	executive producer
Anne Vince	....	executive producer
Robert Vince	....	producer
William Vince	....	producer
Bob Weinstein	....	executive producer
Harvey Weinstein	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Brahm Wenger

Cinematography by
Mike Southon

Film Editing by
Alison Grace

Casting by
Abra Edelman
Elisa Goodman

Production Design by
Elizabeth Wilcox

Art Direction by
Eric Fraser

Set Decoration by
David Chiasson

Costume Design by
Jana Stern

Makeup Department
Joann Fowler	....	makeup artist
Naomi Hirano	....	assistant hair stylist
Naomi Hirano	....	assistant makeup artist
Andrea Simpson	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Michael Potkins	....	production manager
Ric Walkington	....	post-production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Glenn Dreher	....	second assistant director
Pierre Henry	....	first assistant director: second unit
Kelsey T. Howard	....	first assistant director (as Kelsey Howard)
Kerry L. Hsu	....	third assistant director
Richard Martin	....	second unit director
John Penhall	....	first assistant director: second unit
Nancy Sorge	....	second assistant director
Meita Winkler	....	trainee assistant director

Art Department
John G. Anderson	....	set painter
James Balla	....	construction department
Bob Carson	....	set dresser
Dave Conway	....	construction department
Diana Conway	....	assistant set decorator
Philip N. Day	....	construction department
Kendelle Elliott	....	assistant props
Kim Hamin	....	set painter
Troy Hansen	....	set dresser
Herminio Kam	....	lead scenic painter
Charles Leitrants	....	construction coordinator
Spencer Louttit	....	on-set dresser
Dwayne Morgan	....	second property assistant
Don Pearson	....	construction department
Robert Pratt	....	storyboard artist
Jan Reeves	....	set painter
David Segerts	....	set dresser
Salvatore Sortino	....	set painter
Tamara Susik	....	on-set dresser
Peter Sysoev	....	set painter
Grant Van Der Slagt	....	assistant art director
Sandy Walker	....	set buyer
Ric Walkington	....	property master

Sound Department
Marina Adam	....	sound editing assistant
Marc Chiasson	....	dialogue editor
Steve Culp	....	sound recordist
Pat Day	....	assistant sound engineer
Rob Eubanks	....	assistant sound engineer
James Fonnyadt	....	sound effects editor
Stephen Hart	....	foley recordist (as Steve Hart)
Ruth Huddleston	....	location sound mixer
Stanley Kastner	....	sound re-recording mixer
Randall Lee	....	walla recordist
Samuel Lehmer	....	sound re-recording mixer
Marnie Moore	....	foley artist
Dan Olmsted	....	machine room supervisor
Charles O'Shea	....	boom operator
Richard Partlow	....	foley artist (as Rick Partlow)
Frank Rinella	....	foley assistant
Sandra Schultz	....	sound editing assistant
Bill Sheppard	....	sound supervisor
Steve Smith	....	chief engineer
Daniel Sperry	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby
Issac Strozberg	....	sound effects editor
Kerry Uchida	....	sound effects editor

Special Effects by
Andrew Chamberlayne	....	special effects coordinator
Gord Currie	....	special effects first assistant
Adrian Fisher	....	special effects technician
Philip Edward Jones	....	special effects coordinator
Dan Keeler	....	special effects technician
Darren Marcoux	....	special effects coordinator

Visual Effects by
Robert E. Dohrendorf	....	opticals

Stunts
Scott J. Ateah	....	stunt coordinator
Jim Broyden	....	stunts
Kimberly Howie	....	stunts
Bill Stewart	....	stunt coordinator
Luke Waidmann	....	stunts
Owen Walstrom	....	stunts
John Wardlow	....	stunts
Keith Wardlow	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Brent Ballard	....	grip
Kevin Blake	....	best boy electric
David Cameron	....	key grip
Drew David	....	best boy grip
Robert DeVitt	....	camera trainee (as Rob Dewitt)
John Dines	....	generator operator
Jason Dryden	....	lamp operator
Richard Eagan	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Todd Elyzen	....	gaffer
Greg Fox	....	first assistant camera
David Frazee	....	director of photography: second unit
Derek Grieves	....	dolly grip
Brook M. Hewlett	....	grip
Kharen Hill	....	still photographer
Mike Legree	....	rigging grip
Paul Macey	....	rigging gaffer
Stephen Maier	....	second assistant camera
Chris Michie	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera
Chris Rumak	....	lamp operator
Brad Smith	....	grip
William Waring	....	camera operator
William Waring	....	director of photography: second unit
Attila Vaski	....	lamp operator (uncredited)

Animation Department
Kevin DiCicco	....	character creator: "Air Bud"

Casting Department
Brady Clarke	....	casting assistant: Canada
Audrey Skalbania	....	casting: Canada
Audrey Skalbania	....	extras casting
Christina Toy	....	casting assistant: Canada
Greg Milton	....	casting assistant: Canada (uncredited)
Greg Milton	....	extras casting (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Carolyn Cameron	....	assistant costume designer (as Carolyn Pavelick)
Kristine Hyatt	....	wardrobe trainee
Zina Richardson	....	truck costumer

Editorial Department
David Armstrong	....	color timer
Bert Bush	....	negative cutter
Brady Clarke	....	post-production assistant
Ryan Clarke	....	assistant editor
Kelly Herron	....	assistant editor
Greg Malcolm	....	post-production picture supervisor
Jason Pielak	....	post-production assistant
Peter Roerk	....	post-production assistant
Kent Sparling	....	post-production assistant
Neil Thompson	....	post-production assistant (as R. Neil Thompson)
Scott Watson	....	post-production coordinator
Thor Roos	....	color timer: dailies (uncredited)

Music Department
Patric Caird	....	music editor (as Pat Caird)
Avi Kipper	....	score engineer (as Avram Kipper)
David Sabee	....	orchestra contractor
Rachel Santoy	....	music production coordinator
Joseph Pollard White	....	conductor

Transportation Department
Andre Coulombe	....	driver
John Dryden	....	driver: cast
David Halliday	....	transportation captain
Rod McDonald	....	driver: honeywagon
Roland Montrose	....	transportation coordinator
John O'Toole	....	driver: cast
Duane Shearer	....	driver
Don Stenstrom	....	truck driver
Richard Vanderkuip	....	picture car wrangler

Other crew
Sheenah Andrews	....	production coordinator
Isabel Angeles	....	post-production accountant
Leslie Ayers	....	office production assistant
Phillip Beer	....	stand-in (as Philip Beer)
Chase	....	photo double: 'Air-Bud'
Debbie Coe	....	trainer: Air Bud doubles
Glen Alan Coughlin	....	dailies sync
Cathy Craig	....	craft assistant
Ora Crutcher	....	additional craft service
Megan Davis	....	basketball consultant
Mel Davis	....	basketball consultant
Kevin DiCicco	....	trainer: Buddy
Glen Dreher	....	locations: second unit
Dana Dubé	....	assistant animal trainer (as Dana Dube)
Michael Gazetas	....	assistant location manager
Tania Gleave	....	craft service
Tania Gleave	....	first aid
Megan Hale	....	assistant chef
Jayson Hardie	....	photo double: 'Josh'
Bev Hutter	....	location scout
Raul Inglis	....	assistant to director
Tom Kane	....	security officer
Susan Lambie	....	script supervisor
Julia Leiterman	....	controller
Shevaune Monro	....	locations personal assistant
Martin H. Nielsen	....	design consultant
Heidi O'Cleary	....	assistant production accountant
John Pantages	....	walla group
Mark Poyser	....	photo double: 'Arthur Chaney'
Ritch Renaud	....	location manager
Rush	....	photo double: 'Air-Bud'
James Ruttan	....	locations personal assistant
Dorothy Sabey	....	representative: S.P.C.A. (as Dorothy Sabe)
Heather Sandvold	....	stand-in
Gail H. Schacht	....	business affairs
Audrey Skalbania	....	unit publicist
Steven Smith	....	chef
Vicki Sotheran	....	assistant: Mr. William Vince
Kim Steer	....	title designer
Christina Toy	....	assistant production coordinator
Gary Trigg	....	security officer
Grant Vetters	....	assistant production coordinator
Carie Wallis	....	location scout
Nina Watts	....	craft service
Nina Watts	....	first aid
Steven Zeller	....	unit publicist
Erin Fitzgerald	....	adr walla group (uncredited)
Becky Johnson	....	extras wrangler (uncredited)
Bonnie Judd	....	dog trainer (uncredited)
Andrew Simpson	....	animal trainer (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Walt Disney Pictures (presents)
• Keystone Pictures (in association with)
• Equicap

Distributors

• Buena Vista Pictures (1997) (USA) (theatrical)
• RCV Film Distribution (1998) (Belgium) (theatrical)
• RCV Film Distribution (199?) (Luxembourg) (theatrical)
• RCV Film Distribution (1998) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1998) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• América Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• Argentina Video Home (1998) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Canal J (2007) (France) (DVD)
• E.M. Entertainment (2007) (France) (DVD)
• Kinowelt Filmverleih (Germany)
• Malofilm Home Video (Canada)
• Manga Films (Spain)
• Paris Vídeo (Brazil) (DVD)
• RCV Home Entertainment (1999) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS)
• Veronica (2004) (Netherlands) (TV) (first national airing)
• Walt Disney Home Video (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Walt Disney Home Video (USA) (laserdisc)

Other Companies

• Al Sens Animation Ltd.  end titles photography
• Background, The  walla group
• Bush Edit House  negative cutting
• Cinematte  opticals
• Coe's Animal Talent  trainer: Air Bud doubles
• GS Entertainment Marketing Group  unit publicity
• Hollywood Records  soundtrack
• Northern Lights  lighting
• Reel Appetites  catering
• Saul Zaentz Film Center  stage facility
• Seattlemusic  orchestra contracted by
• Seattlemusic  orchestra performer
• Western Post Productions  picture editing facilities
• Western Post Productions  sound editing facilities
• Xtreme New Media  sound recording

Also Known As:

Disney's Air Bud (USA) (complete title)
MVP (Most Valuable Pooch)
Tobby le joueur étoile (Canada: French title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for brief mild language.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Portugal:M/4 | South Korea:All | USA:PG (Certificate #35487) | Sweden:7 (TV rating) | Argentina:Atp | Belgium:KT | France:U | Iceland:L | Mexico:A | Netherlands:AL | Spain:T | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud)

Filming Locations:

Lord Kitchener Elementary School, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Walt Disney Pictures

Trivia:

Filmed in less than a month.

Goofs:

Continuity: Before Norm chases Buddy and the kid, he slips in the mud. When he climbs into his truck immediately afterwards, his back is dry and free of mud.

Quotes:

[Courtcase of Snively versus Framm, just started and Timberwolves coach, Arthur Chaney just walked into the courtroom, un-expectedly]
Arthur Chaney: Why not let the dog choose, Your Honor? They say a dog is man's best friend. If that's the case, shouldn't the dog be able to choose who he wants to be friends with?
Judge Cranfield: Who are you, Barnum or Bailey?
Arthur Chaney: Arthur Chaney, Your Honor.
Judge Cranfield: Mister Chaney, do you reali...
[Judge Cranfield stammered, in shock]
Judge Cranfield: Arthur Chaney? New York Knicks, '56? Huh, I was at that Celtics game where you did the turn around jumper, at the buzzer.
[light chuckle]
Judge Cranfield: I spilt beer all over my wife.
[light laughter in the courtroom]
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)

Soundtrack:

Splish Splash

Family movie

This is a good movie for younger kids despite some brief mild language. The dog playing basketball just doesn't make sense to me though. I could take the ball away from the dog and its not like he has the height advantage. If you have small kids they would enjoy it.