Meet the Applegates (1990)

The environmental theme of the plot puts some focus on the insensitive practices of humans. Where a teenager tortures an earthworm with a match, a real and fake worm were used. Slime was painted on a fake worm which extended and contracted in a realistic movement as the flame came near. Where a fly was squashed, a real fly was filmed in flight and you never see an actual hit. In a scene where a Rottweiler pursues a Terrier across a lawn, two dogs who are friendly with each other were used. When a character blows smoke in Spot’s face, the dog turns back into a bug. For this scene a large plastic bug was constructed. Many plastic creatures were constructed and used. A variety of live animals appear as atmosphere in the South American locales.