Studio Tank vs. Real Location: Choosing the Right Water Setup for Your Shoot
When a production calls for underwater or water-based scenes, one of the biggest decisions is whether to shoot in a studio tank or on a real-world location like the ocean, lake, or natural pool. Each option brings creative advantages and logistical challenges, but for many productions, the choice often comes down to three key factors: control, safety, and visual consistency—including technical considerations like achieving clean pool blacks.
The Power of a Controlled Environment
A studio tank offers something every production values: predictability.
Inside a controlled facility, filmmakers can manage nearly every variable, lighting, water clarity, temperature, weather, and shooting schedule. There’s no waiting for the perfect sunlight, no sudden storms, and no unexpected environmental changes. This allows directors and cinematographers to:
- Precisely shape lighting setups
- Maintain consistent continuity across takes
- Rehearse complex camera or stunt movements safely
- Capture multiple angles without environmental resets
In contrast, real locations introduce variables that can enhance realism but complicate production. Changing tides, shifting sunlight, wind, or murky water can quickly derail a carefully planned shoot. While natural locations provide authenticity, they often demand flexibility in scheduling and shot design.
Safety Comes First
Water shoots always carry risks, and professional safety teams are essential in both studio tanks and natural locations.
Studio tanks are designed with built-in safety advantages such as controlled depths, clear visibility, temperature regulation, and easy equipment access. These features help safety divers and crew respond quickly and maintain close supervision throughout the shoot.
However, it’s important to note that safety divers and trained water personnel are just as important, and often required, on natural water sets as well. Oceans, lakes, and rivers typically involve additional risks like currents, uneven terrain, or limited visibility, making experienced safety supervision critical regardless of where filming takes place.
Whether in a tank or on location, proper planning, certified safety divers, and clear emergency protocols should always be treated as non-negotiable parts of any water production.
Achieving Clean “Black Pools”
One technical advantage of studio tanks is the ability to achieve true Black Pools, the deep, clean black backgrounds often used to create the illusion of endless depth or open water.
In a controlled tank setup:
- Walls and floors can be painted or draped in black
- Lighting can be tightly shaped to eliminate spill
- Water clarity can be maintained for crisp contrast
- Reflections can be minimized with controlled angles and surfaces
This makes it much easier to isolate subjects, composite backgrounds, or create stylized underwater looks. Achieving the same effect in a natural location is far more difficult due to ambient light, particulate matter, and unpredictable reflections.
When a Real Location Makes Sense
Despite the advantages of studio tanks, real locations still have their place.
Natural environments can provide:
- Authentic textures and landscapes
- Realistic wave movement and light refraction
- Larger-scale environments without tank size limitations
- Unique visual storytelling opportunities
For wide scenic shots or moments where authenticity outweighs technical control, shooting on location may be worth the additional logistical challenges.
Finding the Right Balance
Many productions ultimately use both approaches:
- Studio tank for close-ups, dialogue, stunts, and controlled underwater work
- Real location for wide shots and environmental establishing scenes
By combining the safety and precision of a tank with the visual richness of real-world environments, filmmakers can achieve the best of both worlds.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between a studio tank and a real location isn’t just a technical decision, it’s a creative and practical one. If your priority is control, safety, and consistent visual quality, especially when clean pool blacks are required, a studio tank may be the ideal solution. If your story demands natural scale and environmental realism, a real location can deliver unmatched authenticity.
Understanding the strengths of each option, and ensuring proper safety personnel are in place in any water environment, helps keep your shoot safe, efficient, and visually compelling from the first setup to the final frame.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out for professional services or further assistance. We are here to help your vision come to life:
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Email: rentals@airsealand.com