	l
About NAI'A Dive Fiji Dive Pacific Conservation & Discovery Photo & Video Bookings Specials

Home ~ Photos & Video ~

Scout's Honor (continued)
Below the surface, behind the scenes filming
Coral Reef Adventure
By Rob Barrel

(story continued from page 3)

While learning filmmaking from Howard and Michele was part of our thrill in being involved in Coral Reef Adventure, an even bigger treat was the opportunity to show off some of our favorite reef creatures and best Fiji dive sites - some of the world's best dive sites - to the estimated thirty million people, mostly non-divers, who will see this film. If IMAX® cannot capture the magic of the ocean realm and convey the joy of diving to the millions of uninitiated, then nothing can.

Richard Pyle at Mt. Mutiny

One heartwarming highlight was a spectacular scene with the unusually friendly turtles at Mount Mutiny. NAI'A divers have known these sweet little hawksbills for years, but one female's interaction with NAI'A divemaster, Rusi Vulakoro, will endear her to millions.

1 - 2 - 3 - 4

Explore More:

IMAX Coral Reef Adventure reviews

Fiji's Colorful Creatures on IMAX

Behind the Scenes of Coral Reef Adventure

More on Howard Hall Productions

NAI'A Newsletter Oct. 2000

While watching one of Howard's films on the boat, Rusi mentioned sheepishly that as a young man he and his father used to net turtles to sell in the market. Decades later, with a diver's knowledge of marine life and conservation, Rusi regrets his past and instead likes to feed turtles. It was an ideal storyline and at Mount Mutiny it became an IMAX® film sequence. Cat circumnavigated the seamount and found the turtles munching quietly along the rubble quite near the camera crew.

The second turtle put on the most docile and adorable performance you can imagine. Howard shot her alone, swimming with Rusi and Michele, diving down through blue water and eating sponges right out of Rusi's hand. It was absolutely beautiful. Between each of the four rolls of film we all played and fed and held her. Once we worked out which sponges she liked, it was easy to hold her attention. We had her literally sitting on one hand as she bit at coral rubble from the other hand. I was beside myself with joy. This was a wild animal with complete trust and confidence. Howard was his happiest yet. He had 'hawksbill eating sponge' on his shot list for years and had never seen it. He was grinning ear to ear through his mask.

"That's in the film, for sure," he said.

Howard behind the camera.

"Probably only half a dozen other times in my filmmaking life have I felt like everything went perfectly - light, subject and equipment. Between every shot I kept stopping to check on each element. But there was nothing I could improve! Change composition? No, looks ideal. Re-arrange lights? Nope, angled just right. Reset F-stop? The exposure's perfect. OK, just keep shootin'!"

Rusi feeds golden damsels.

1 - 2 - 3 - 4

Scout's Honor (continued) Below the surface, behind the scenes filming Coral Reef Adventure By Rob Barrel

Scout's Honor (continued)
Below the surface, behind the scenes filming
Coral Reef Adventure
By Rob Barrel