PRODUCER'S NOTE
by
Anna DeLoach
The idea for
Sensational Seas had been rumbling inside my head since
the fall of 2002 when my husband Ned and I sat in the
salon of the live-aboard Don Jose with mouths-agape
watching spellbinding video of a cormorant fishing
underwater. The amazing images were shot in the Sea of
Cortez by our dive guide and amateur videographer Peter
Schalkwijk. A pattern was unfolding: each time we traveled
to a dive destination, someone always seemed to have some
astounding footage to share. Sometimes rare, sometimes
outrageous, sometimes funny, it was always something so
extraordinary that we felt that it should be seen by
fellow divers.
I envisioned
an anthology of exceptional underwater images from both
established professionals and talented amateurs, always
with the intent of
conveying the joy and adventure inherent in diving and the
fun and heady satisfaction we have in doing what we do.
Hoping they
would be willing to participate, I discussed the project
with legendary filmmakers Michele and Howard Hall, and it
was Michele who suggested donating the proceeds to
charity. Howard graciously contributed a favorite piece
from his preeminent nature library, and we had the first
installment of our anthology! During a trip to Indonesia,
Annie Crawley showed us a heartwarming segment of courting
dolphins shot in Belize, half a world away. Friends from
Scuba West Virginia told us about Dan Graham's
"must see"
behavior of a hunting moray eel. At a party in Fort
Lauderdale, Simon Christopher showed us Scubazoo's latest
work. Wonderful images were everywhere and each person I
asked generously donated his or her work to the project. I
only wish there had been room for more.
We are very
much indebted to friend, noted art critic and author
William Warmus, who gave up much of his dive time to serve
as scriptwriter and art director. A special thanks to Stan
Waterman and Cat Holloway, our narrators, who epitomize
the very best in diving.
All proceeds
from the sale of Sensational Seas go to REEF, the Reef
Environmental Education Foundation, a corps of volunteer
divers who monitor reef fish population trends. |