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Shooting underwater may seem simple on the surface, but diving deeper uncovers the many challenges experts face in this environment. From pacing and shot list to communicating underwater and handling equipment, precautions should be taken to ensure the well-being of the cast and crew. This post explores the safety challenges encountered in underwater shooting and provides key considerations when deciding to hire an expert.

The Importance of Safety in Underwater Shooting

While there are many challenges associated with this type of shooting, safety is one of the biggest priorities of an underwater camera operator. Below are some safety considerations to keep in mind:

Pacing

Everything slows down when water is involved:

• Normal tasks take longer to complete.
• Direction takes longer to incorporate.
• Shots take longer to shoot.

Preparing for this ahead of time greatly impacts a production’s success. Reducing the shot list and organizing it in an efficient manner is key.

Environment

Being immersed in a pool or open water for extensive periods of time can be dangerous. Fatigue must be considered while shooting underwater. A lifeguard is required to be on set. A safety diver accompanies the cast and crew in the water at all times. In open water, there are infinite variables to consider: bad weather, strong currents, reduced visibility, marine life, etc. Since the camera operator and safety diver understand the intricacies of the underwater environment, they are able to recognize the limits of everyone involved. They know when it’s time to stop and start again to protect the cast and crew.

Communication

The camera operator works closely with talent to fulfill the director’s needs. Breaking down direction into actions that are easier to accomplish in the water requires expertise and efficiency. Using an Underwater PA System helps with communication. This brings clarity to talent, allows for production to move at a steady pace, and reduces time spent in the water. To further streamline production, the camera operator uses hand signals to communicate with the camera technician above water. This enables the technician to quickly relay the status of the underwater environment to the rest of the crew.

Handling Equipment

Diver training and certification is required to use scuba gear for underwater shoots. If a camera operator attempts to shoot underwater without proper certifications, they are prohibited from using air from scuba tanks. They must hold their breath for extended periods of time and come to the surface after each shot. This not only slows production but also puts the cast and crew in jeopardy.

The Benefits Of Having An Expert On Set

There are many advantages of hiring experts who understand the ins and outs of shooting underwater. Among them are adaptability, efficiency, order, and trust.

Adaptability

Experts who are well acquainted with the challenges of underwater shooting are highly adaptable. While they have the foresight to know what will work before starting, they also know how to pivot if something is not going according to plan. Due to their experience, they are attuned to intricate details and can easily solve problems on set.

Efficiency

Ambition can lead to a filmmaker’s demise if they are inexperienced with the underwater environment. An overabundance of shots that are not feasible for the environment is dangerous for anyone in the water. An expert understands what shots are practical, how to prioritize and execute the shots, and how to achieve them in the least amount of time possible.

Order

When an expert is present, the chaos that arises due to a lack of prioritization,execution, and time management disappears. Procedures are in place, steps are followed, time is used efficiently, and everyone does their best work.

Trust

Experts allow productions to run smoothly and create a safe environment for the cast
and crew.

The camera operator knows how to:

• maneuver to get the desired shot
• Safety Precautions And Key Considerations When Shooting Underwater4make talent feel comfortable in the water
• communicate effectively to guide the production toward success

Exploring Depths Safely and Creatively: “On Duty” Case Study

In 2022, Air Sea Land had the privilege to work on a short film called “On Duty.” Boulder Crest Foundation” commissioned by Neymarc Visuals to develop a TV commercial and brand film to raise awareness about their post-traumatic growth programs, which help veterans, law enforcement officers, and first responders overcome post-traumatic stress through growth-focused programs.

As with all underwater shoots, we planned and prepared ahead of time.

On shooting day, we held a safety meeting, blacked out the pool quickly, set up PA systems for easy communication, and lit the set. We secured a light to the end of a jib to create the illusion of a moving sun. We established a safe set for the cast and crew by organizing equipment and cables meticulously.

Production allowed us to lead, which resulted in a smooth production process, finishing ahead of schedule, a happy director, and wonderful final results.

Charting New Depths

Safety Precautions And Key Considerations When Shooting Underwater5Prioritizing safety in the world of underwater shooting is paramount. Trusting in experts guarantees smooth, well-executed productions and creates a secure environment for all involved.

With over 30 years of experience, Air Sea Land offers efficiency, expertise, and specialized equipment, ensuring a confident navigation through the depths. If you need an expert for your next underwater project, we can help you overcome hurdles and ensure the success and safety of your production.

If you want to learn more about the common challenges that underwater operators face and best practices to be aware of, check out our article “Shooting Underwater: What To Know Before You Dive In.”

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for professional services or further assistance!

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Beneath the shimmering surface lies a filmmaker’s enigma: the underwater environment. Say goodbye to the ordinary rules of underwater shooting. From orchestrating complex shots ahead of time to communicating in entirely new ways, explore the challenges faced by underwater filmmakers and how they use their expertise to guide productions to success.

With 30 years of experience shooting in all types of environments, from oceans in Alaska to pools in NYC, Air Sea Land is the largest rental house for Professional Underwater camera gear and Jimmy Jib rentals in the North East, US.

This post explores the common challenges encountered in underwater shooting and provides practical solutions to ensure successful productions.

There has been a growing popularity and demand for underwater shooting in the industry at large. More and more productions are shooting scenes underwater in order to bring their stories to life and enhance the experience for their audiences.

Whether you are thinking about including an underwater scene in your production or you’re familiar with the process, understanding the challenges involved in this specialized form of filmmaking and having an expert on set are paramount.

Most filmmaking happens on land. There is a common misconception that the same rules apply when shooting underwater. With new environments comes new rules. This change of environment impacts everything:

Pacing and Shot List

The pace of a normal set simply isn’t the same as an underwater set. Since most members of the cast and crew are working in an entirely different element than they are used to, normal tasks take longer. While it is common for on-land productions to have long shot lists, it is important to remember that time slows down underwater, as do movements.

Communication

On a normal set, the Director and Assistant Director can call out phrases such as “roll sound,” “roll camera,” “action,” “cut,” “reset” and the cast and crew can react immediately.

• The sound department cuts audio
• The Director of Photography stops shooting
• The talent stop what they are doing and saying
• Everyone can reset back to one

If your camera operator and talent are underwater, the phrases above do not garner such immediate response. If the director has notes, there is a delay here as well.

Buoyancy

Buoyancy is an added challenge to underwater productions. A person in water will naturally float to the top. This makes talent’s job more difficult if the director wants them to perform specific actions, especially if they are inexperienced in underwater shooting. The underwater camera operator must control their own buoyancy and the buoyancy of the camera itself.

Lighting

Underwater shooting can either take place in open water or a pool. It is very rare to have a large light in open water — instead, dive lights or flash lights are used. Lighting can become tricky if production needs the scene to look like it takes place in open water but the shooting location is a pool.

Visibility

Visibility is dependent upon the shoot’s environment. In a pool, there are little to no issues. With open water, visibility can vary due to elements like the date, time, location, and weather. Prior to an open water shoot, it is important to:

• select a proper location
• select an ideal day
• know the visibility ahead of time
• test the water to ensure it meets safety requirements

Equipment

Standard camera equipment is not waterproof. Proper underwater equipment is required for underwater shooting to avoid damaging the technology utilized on set.

While underwater filmmaking can have its challenges, there are practical solutions and best practices to implement to ensure success on set:

Pacing and Shot List

Thinking ahead and planning is necessary for productions to succeed. Since time slows down underwater, the shot list must be reduced down to prioritize the most important shots for the story. Shots then need to be organized in an order that is efficient.

Communication

Using an Underwater PA System helps maintain communication between the underwater camera operator and the crew above water. The camera operator can also use hand signals to communicate with the camera technician above water. This allows the technician to quickly translate the state of the underwater environment to the rest of the crew.

Buoyancy

Controlling buoyancy is important in underwater shooting. Talent can hide lead shot bags in their pockets to help them sink or stay neutral. The camera operator wears a weighted belt to sink and uses a Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) to rise to the surface.

Lighting

If production needs the scene to look like it takes place in open water but the shoot’s location is a pool, blacking out the pool is a solution. In order to achieve an empty abyss effect, specially designed underwater blacks are placed over the walls and floor of the pool.

If underwater blacks are used, the pool filters must be turned off in those specific areas. Otherwise, they can get sucked into the jets and the pool filter will burn out. Blacking out the pool takes time and should be taken into account in the production schedule.

When shooting underwater, it’s important to note that everything is tinted blue. You can overcome this by placing red filters in front of the lens, changing the white balance, and color correction in post production.

Equipment

The use of Underwater Housings or Splash Bags is necessary to keep the camera dry underwater. If the camera needs maintenance, such as a battery change or new lens, the camera technician handles these changes above water. Since the camera technician makes sure the camera equipment is working up to standards, it is ideal for them to stay dry on set.

Takeaways

Understanding the distinct rules and adjustments needed for shooting in an underwater environment is essential for successful productions. Effectively managing the challenges above leads to remarkable visual experiences and unforgettable cinematic moments.

If you’re embarking on an underwater film project and are seeking professional assistance to tackle the unique challenges that come with it, Air Sea Land can help. Our expertise and specialized equipment can help you overcome the hurdles of underwater filming and ensure the success of your production.

Whether you need guidance in shot planning, communication solutions, buoyancy control, lighting techniques, or equipment recommendations, our team is here to support you every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for professional services or further assistance.

Let’s dive in together and bring your vision to life!

 

 

 

 

Air Sea Land Productions

June 1st, 2023