Latest Hollywood blockbuster spotlights Stuart Cove’s aquatic specialties once again
Into the Blue set to open September 30th, 2005
Originally published in Stuart Cove’s DIVErsions, A Newsletter for Certified Divers, September 2005 - Courtesy of Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas, Snorkel Bahamas, & SUB Bahamas, Nassau, Bahamas.
Nassau, Bahamas (September 26, 2005) – It’s no coincidence that when Hollywood needs to shoot a marine-based film with crystal-clear waters and conditions consistent enough to allow shooting over three months, they look to The Bahamas. When you add shark stunts to the equation, they call Stuart Cove.
After all, for more than 20 years Cove has been working with Hollywood to deliver underwater thrills and incredible imagery. The latest big-budget Hollywood blockbuster to work with the Dive Bahamas team is Into the Blue.
Opening nationally September 30th, Into the Blue is a remake of the popular 1970’s diving flick The Deep. The producers of the movie were impressed by The Bahamas’ crystal-clear blue waters and the ample shark population that would help add an element of danger and fear to the movie. The film features Paul Walker, Jessica Alba, Ashley Scott, Scott Caan, and Josh Brolin, plenty of free diving, scuba action, and a compelling storyline. The staff at Stuart Cove’s certified both Scott and Caan, and provided advanced training options for other cast and crew members.
Stuart Cove’s operations manager, David Eads, worked closely with the producers as diving liaison and shark wrangler. A veteran of these high-profile projects, Eads has been with Stuart Cove’s for more than 10 years. His knowledge of the local waters (and local shark population) came in handy many times during the three months of shooting last year. It was a major time investment, but when you see the spectacular shots highlighted by Caribbean reef sharks in the background, you’ll know it was likely the result of Eads's help and expertise.
Stuart Cove’s on-site photo operation, Fin Photo, played an important part in the production as well, although few people would ever know about it. According to manager Claudia Pellarini, Fin Photo helped to provide photos that were used for continuity in the film. Feature films are not shot in the order that you see them on the big screen. It is the job of the “continuity” team to ensure that the sets are dressed to match their sequence in the film. This normally tedious job was complicated because so many sets were underwater. To assist in this process Fin Photo used their underwater photography skills and worked closely with the production team and documented each set so that it could easily be redressed as needed.
NEW INTO THE BLUE DIVE SITES
For Into the Blue a number of huge underwater sets were created. Two DC-3 cargo planes were sunk offshore. One was placed at a shark location for stunts and the second was placed near a shallow reef for easy filming. A third was placed in a giant water tank at the Bacardi Rum factory for close-up work. The Dive Bahamas team provided technical assistance and served as safety divers for this monumental effort and continued in similar roles during the three months of filming.
When the film wrapped up, Cove convinced the producers to leave the wreck on the shallow reef for divers to enjoy. Unfortunately, during the 2004 hurricane season this wreck was damaged during a storm. But never fear - there was actually one more plane left. So once again, Stuart Cove’s arranged to have the remaining parts of the airplane, which was also used in the Bacardi tank, placed with the parts from the original shallow wreck. Today divers can still enjoy the remnants of the two combined wrecks at the site we now call DC3.
In addition to the planes, a replica of a Spanish galleon was built and sunk in waters near Stuart Cove's operation. Divers coming to Stuart Cove’s can enjoy this piece of Hollywood history even today. Located on the sand bank near The Bahama Mama and Ray of Hope wrecks, Treasure Wreck plays an integral part in the plot of the movie. Today divers can visit this site and still see the spines of this replica ship, which will be easily recognizable in the film.
For more information contact Stuart Cove’s at 1-800-879-9832 or info@stuartcove.com.
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