Old photographers advice.....don't work with children or animals.....if they don't cooperate it's your fault if you do get a good shot it was just lucky!
Knew some photogs who would put a sedative into the water bowl or in a sugar candy....and that was for the kids....no really for the critters....VBG
I liked the background, reminded me of what would happen when I would run the film projector too slow when I did the "light show" for a band.
Combine the film projector with an overhead projector that had a pyrex dish with water, food coloring, light oil and dishwashing soap in it and you could get effects that wowed the girls at school dances.....yup.... I'm with the band....LOL
I think you are well on your way to getting your Photographers Badge......time, money and talent is all it takes....