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Underwater filmmaking

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Michael Frymus

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I've been out from filmmaking for a little while now. Been trying to focus on a different career path and schooling.

But I've been considering doing undewatering filmmaking.

One part of my studies will consist of earth sciences. In a short explanation, it involves learning about evolution. This will include studying the oceans. But that's only a small part, as I'm doing astronomy/astrophysics, etc.

Anyways. I'm not 100% sure about my career path. But what I do know is that it will involve ocean studies. So, I am pretty sure my skills as an advanced open water scuba diver will come in handy.

In the mean time, since I love scuba diving, and I am very good at it, I wanted to know if doing underwater filmmaking would be a good choice.

I sold all my gear. So I would be purchasing a new camera (Canon 7Dii).
Not looking at getting back into getting a video camera.

But if I get this 7d, in debating on getting a housing for it and doing underwater filmmaking.


But is this a specialty that someone would be hiring?
I'm with IATSE as an electric now. But if I can be a part of the union as an underwater Filmmaker that would be cool. But I don't think that position is available.
Doing nature filmmaking would also be cool. But sort films, tv shows and features are prefect as well. Anything really.

Just wondering if it's worth doing it as a specialty.
 
With all this gear, it would be about 10K, which is very steep for me now. As I have to pay for school, rent, transport, etc.

So even if I get a GoPro and start with something like that perhaps?
 
maybe I'm wrong but i live pretty close to you. It would seem like you would need to travel a lot for this type of work. or live in like Florida or LA. The lake is awesome but its frozen half the year -_-. I too am interested, I was thinking about getting one of those ewa-marine bag things and start out getting half way in the water. I'm reading a script that involves a boat.. deff need something
 
Yes. I'm like 40 min away from Buffalo.
And that is true. Not much here, and the lake isn't all that great either.

I could never trust a bag. As a reason cover or for safety reasons while on the boat, k. But I wouldn't take it underwater. I don't trust it.
Plus, it's a bag full of air.
It is much better to either add weights or something else just to make it heavier. The heavier it is, the most stable shots you get.
 
Michael Frymus said:
Yes. I'm like 40 min away from Buffalo.
And that is true. Not much here, and the lake isn't all that great either.

I could never trust a bag. As a reason cover or for safety reasons while on the boat, k. But I wouldn't take it underwater. I don't trust it.
Plus, it's a bag full of air.
It is much better to either add weights or something else just to make it heavier. The heavier it is, the most stable shots you get.
Click to expand...


yah nah i need something that can get like half way into the water, not all the way under
 
There's an old joke in the dive industry:

"how do you make a small fortune in the dive industry?"

"Start with a big one"

Seriously, though there are a few people that can make a living doing mostly underwater work {although even in a program that is primarily focused on underwater there will be a lot of surface shooting). Quite a few others that have to make their bread and butter living somewhere else but get a few jobs every year.

Having sold to literally thousands of professional video and movie shooters - generally speaking if you get to where you have quite a few regular video or movie clients that you can make a living from - and they know you can shoot underwater as well - you will get a few jobs every year from them or referrals - and probably enough to make it financially worthwhile if your investment isn't to great.

It's great to say" just rent when you need it" - but the truth is it is hard to get the underwater shooting experience you need to be good and confident in your underwater skills without owning the underwater gear.
 
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