Cinematographer/producer, veteran diver and founder of Liquid Pictures D.J. Roller recently wrapped principal photography on a new IMAX 3-D film entitled “Wild Ocean.”
Shot through two summers along South Africa’s wild coast, the film documents the annual sardine run. During these runs, massive schools of sardines — sometimes measuring more than 9mi in length — swim up the coast in search of food every year. This draws many predators to the area including thousands of dolphins and sharks.
The environmental documentary is expected to be released to IMAX and Digital 3D theaters worldwide this month.
All underwater sequences were shot with two Fujinon HA10X5B-W50 HD Cine Style zoom lenses mounted on a Cameron/Pace Fusion underwater HDTV 3-D camera system. The lenses were encased in specially made lens barrels for the rig and affixed to custom-designed Sony HD-950 cameras. Roller used that system with two of the Fujinon lenses and one backup.
According to Roller, the combination of the Fujinon lenses and the Pace underwater camera system made it possible to meet the numerous challenges presented by underwater filming. Electronic cinematography allowed Roller to take advantage of longer record times when compared to film. The Fujinon lenses developed for the Pace camera also gave Roller the cinematic flexibility needed for the project without having to switch out lenses from the underwater camera housing.
For more information, visit www.fujinon.com.
