|
This is a rare opportunity to not just learn
about underwater television production, but take
part in it. In March/April 2006, join Jonathan and
his crew for up to 6 weeks of exciting underwater
production in the Philippines as he films his sixth
major documentary project, a high definition animal
behavior film about life on a coral reef.
How Does It work?
Jonathan will be on location working on this new
film (as yet unnamed, but we'll just call it "the
coral film") for about 6 weeks. For the first time,
he is inviting guests to assist with production,
sort of like an Earthwatch expedition. Participants
will pay their own way, but get to work on the
film. We don't mean that they get to watch, or they
have to stay out of the way. We mean that they will
be a part of the film crew, assisting in nearly all
aspects of the location work. This includes
everything from logistics, footage review, animal
wrangling, dive site scouting, and of course a lot
of actual underwater production including lighting,
assisting, and brainstorming on sequence
development. Ever wanted to have something really
cool to actually do on a dive, rather than
just watch the fish? This is your chance!
Participants will stay for a minimum of 10 days
(it's a long ride to that part of the world, you
wouldn't want to just go for a week). There will be
three groups of six participants, eaching staying
10 days, which equates to 30 days of assisting.
Between each group there will be a day for Jonathan
and his crew to rest and catch up on e-mail, etc.
Jonathan will arrive a week before the first
participants arrive to prepare everything and will
stay at least a week after everyone leaves to
finish up. However, the bulk of the film will be
shot with the assistance of the participants. The
participants will receive a production credit in
the film, and a very good education on underwater
film production, though it should be stressed that
this is not a video class. We have a film to
shoot! This is more like on-the-job training!
How much does it cost?
Because the shooting is in the Philippines, the
cost is actually quite reasonable.
•$2200 per
person for 10 days. This includes airport
transfers from Manila, all meals, 2 boat dives a
day, unlimited shore dives, night dives. We are
working at a dive resort (TBD) in Anilao on some of
the most beautiful reefs you will ever see.
Dates?
Group 1: March 7-17, 2006
Group 2: March 19-29, 2006
Group 3: March 30-April 9, 2006
Flights are pretty cheap too. We
generally pay under $1500 from the east coast to
the Philippines.
Payment Schedule
|
PAYMENT
|
DUE
|
|
$400 Deposit
|
Asap
|
|
$800 payment 2
|
12/1/05
|
|
$1000 payment 3
|
2/1/06
|
Which weeks are the most exciting?
Each week will do a lot of the same stuff, although
the first week will be more scouting oriented and
the last week will be more "finishing up loose
ends" oriented. All weeks will have critter
handling, shooting, brainstorming and lots of
diving.
Can I come for more than one session?
Sure, we love gluttons for punishment!
What should I expect?
Expect some of the best dives of your life in an
area that is the center for biodiversity in the
entire world. Expect some of the most beautiful
reefs you have ever seen. Expect a lot of diving.
Expect other jobs besides diving (it can't all be
fun and games). Expect a long plane ride. Expect to
work hard, but learn a lot. Expect to be a member
of a team, and work together to produce a gorgeous
film. Expect some days to be long.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for experienced divers with
enthusiasm and the ability to get along well with
others. A plus is good knowledge of reef critters
and behavior. Some knowledge of film/video
production is helpful, but not necessary. (People
with experience in this area who bring their own
gear may be tasked with shooting some
behind-the-scenes footage). We want fun,
interesting, easy-going people who love to dive,
dive, dive!
Who are we not looking for?
We do not want people who are just looking to come
along and shoot their own pictures and video. Of
course, participants are welcome to bring their own
cameras. There will be plenty of time to go diving
for fun and take pictures and video, but everyone
must understand that the film takes precidence over
everything. (Nobody will be allowed to use strobes
anywhere near the filming locations while we are
shooting, for obvious reasons.) We are not looking
for egotistical types who think they know
everything, or people who can't get along in close
quarters with others for a couple of weeks.
When do I travel?
The dates listed here are the arrival and departure
dates in Manila. So, if you are on Week 1, you need
to plan your flights to arrive on March 7 in
Manilla, and depart on the 17th to go home. Keep in
mind that the travel time can be more than a day
depending on where you are coming from, so take
that into account when planning flights.
What are the Philippines like?
In spite of what many people think, the Philippines
is not filled with terrorists! The U.S. has a
history of a strong presence in the Philippines.
The Philippinos are very nice people and they like
tourists. We have had good experiences in the
Philippines. The diving is absolutely spectacular.
This part of the world is the hotbed for cool
critters and lush reefs.
I want to go! What do I do?
Drop us an e-mail.
We look forward to seeing you on the shoot!
|
Jonathan shooting on Kwajalein in 2000 with Mark
Miller on sound. This is one of the jobs that will
be filled by participants in the project.
Jonathan shooting coral polyps on Kwajalein.
Macro and extreme macro work will be part of this
coral reef film. Imagine coral macros in
HD!
Gator (Greg Brunshidle) coming up the wall with
HID lights on Kwajalein. Participants will get the
chance to work with all kinds of cool technologies
including underwater HID lighting.
Animal behavior is a big part of this film. One
of the challenges will be to film animals in their
natural environment actually doing what they do.
Participants will be crucial to finding behaviors,
scouting locations, and brainstorming sequences on
location.
The reefs in this part of the world are
absolutely stunning. Participants will be working
in the richest marine environment on Earth.
Participants will also get the chance to see
incredibly rare marine life such as the Pygmy
seahorse.
|
WEEK
|
AVAILABILITY
|
|
Group 1: March 7-17,
2006
|
SOLD
OUT
|
|
Group 2: March 19-29,
2006
|
SOLD
OUT
|
|
Group 3: March 30-April
9, 2006
|
SOLD
OUT
|
You can get on the waiting list if you missed out
and want to go.
E-mail us.
|
