The Pointing Instinct

The Advie Gundog kennel of working pointers and setters was active through 1970s to 1990s and was shot in the Highlands of Scotland in the UK. It was recorded on a mixture of 16mm film, 3/4" analogue video tape, and digital tape. Most of the filming was done by Derry Argue exclusively, working with secondhand professional equipment designed for a two man broadcast crew, then edited by Derry. This equipment, bought cheap on the second hand market, was often faulty and needed repair, so Derry had to learn electronics and how to use an oscilloscope. Setting the camera up on a tripod or working out of his truck, it was switched on and the action took place within frame. Where filming could not be done in this way, a professional cameraman had to be hired in. The Pointing Instinct received rave reviews internationally. Many did not know young puppies would learn to hunt and point live game if given the opportunity, let alone see it recorded on film. Derry shows how dogs can be controlled and worked with no more than kindness and the opportunity to learn by trial and error. Instruments like the electric collar are not only not needed but are mostly counter productive. The Pointing Instinct is not an instructional or 'how to do it' film. For that you need to watch 'Bird Dog Basics", also by Derry, which is free to view on Youtube or his book, 'Pointers and Setters' published by Swan Hill Ltd.