Underwater Digital Video Expands the Role of Filmmaker to Sport Divers Around the World

(PRWEB) October 17, 2005 -- Sport diver Steve Barsky always wanted to be an underwater filmmaker, but until underwater housings were built for digital video cameras, and editing software became readily available, that world was always out of reach. Although Barsky had been a commercial oilfield diver and is a professional underwater still photographer and writer, movie making seemed just too impossible.

“It was just too expensive to shoot in film,” says Barsky, “and the cost of shooting underwater is even worse.”

When the digital video revolution took place, Barsky saw the chance to make inexpensive films on a shoestring budget. In most cases, the crew was just himself and his marine biologist wife, Kristine. Their first film, California Lobster Diving, was 45 minutes long and is very popular in the sport diving field. Barsky went on to make another 45-minute video for a Swedish manufacturer of dry suits for professional divers, and has completed 3 other projects of similar length.

Realizing that there were many divers who wanted to learn how to make underwater videos, and there are few schools that teach the subject, Barsky teamed with two fellow underwater cameramen and friends to create a book on the subject. Hammerhead Press of Ventura, California recently released underwater Digital Video Made Easy.

Lance Milbrand, the second author on the book was nominated for an EMMY for his work as director of underwater photography for Survivor: Palau 2005. He has also shot the 2003 television special, Island Castaway, for National Geographic Explorer.

Mark Thurlow, the third member of the diving trio, shoots the Behind the Scenes featurettes for Howard Hall’s IMAX films, work on the underwater shots for Titanic with James Cameron, and has been involved with numerous other underwater theatrical productions.

The three authors are both objective and honest about their experiences in underwater filmmaking, teaching the novice based upon their own mistakes and triumphs. The book has information for the person who hopes to do nothing more than make films of their last dive trip, as well as for the person with professional aspirations.

According to Howard Hall, IMAX Director and underwater cinematographer, “Seldom has such an elite group of authors come together to produce a text for the sport diving industry. Besides being an accomplished underwater cameraman, Steve Barsky is a professional writer with numerous books about diving to his credit. I’ve been fortunate to work with both Lance Milbrand and Mark Thurlow on many motion pictures for television and IMAX theaters. Lance has produced video productions for numerous clients, including National Geographic. Mark has directed the underwater videography for all of the “making of” videos for our IMAX productions. These authors bring a wealth of insight and experience to Underwater Digital Video Made Easy. It’s a “must have” for anyone aspiring to produce professional quality underwater video.”

For more information, or to download a free sample chapter of the book, visit Hammerhead Press at www.hammerheadpress.com.