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Underwater Wildlife Filmmaking in the Polar Zone
Have you ever wondered how wildlife filmmakers shoot such stunning underwater videos and photographs? Despite the challenging conditions in the polar regions, they capture incredible underwater footage and images of potentially dangerous animals.
Jason Roberts‘ company PolarX assists wildlife filmmakers and Hollywood productions with filming in the extreme conditions of the Arctic and Antarctic. They provide logistical services supporting camera operators to capture the perfect shot of decisive wildlife moments. Such as a polar bear with new cubs appearing from its den.
PolarX manages filmmaking logistics for various natural history documentaries and photography projects. Their expertise comes from decades of experience working and filming in the extreme conditions of the polar regions. From more traditional small-scale jobs with two to three people supporting a single camera operator. To large blue-chip wildlife productions for clients like the BBC and Disney.
PolarX is consistently raising the bar. They constantly refine filmmaking equipment and streamline processes to improve logistics. Staff health & safety is paramount, along with ensuring large, costly operations deliver breathtaking film sequences on time and within budget. Hence, one of their latest pieces of underwater videography equipment is the Boxfish Luna.
A Behind the Scenes Look at Wildlife Filmmaking
For this interview, Jason Roberts invited Morten Hilmer, a professional wildlife photographer, to see PolarX’s operation in the Arctic region. Jason shares rare information on the film industry showing how wildlife filmmakers and photographers achieve breathtaking results.
The video gives a fascinating insight into the logistics of large-scale film production in the polar regions. Plus, an overview of the specialised equipment for film production in the air, on the surface and underwater.
Also featured is our cutting-edge underwater drone for professional cinematography, the Boxfish Luna. As Jason discusses, the remotely operated vehicle integrates a Sony A7SIII camera that performs well in low light under the ice.
A two-person team may quickly deploy the Boxfish Luna and capture required underwater footage with zero wildlife disturbance. The drone is ideal for filming underwater sequences with dangerous mammals like polar bears. In these situations, divers can be complicated and expensive. Producers must complete health & safety paperwork, and divers may require specialist equipment like rebreathers. Using an underwater drone minimises these issues and reduces costs.
Want to know more? Watch the video!
About Polar X
PolarX manages the logistics of filmmaking in the polar regions. Their Managing Director Jason Roberts is an award-winning filmmaker, polar expert and dedicated environmentalist. He has been involved in over 300 film productions, including Planet Earth, Blue Planet, Far North, and The Hunt. Furthermore, PolarX clients include National Geographic, BBC and Netflix.
