Myriad Completes Filming of Whale Sharks Documentary
June 2012
Myriad Global Media completes filming of whale sharks documentary
In Qatar, Myriad Global Media are working with the Maersk Oil Research and Technology Centre (MO-RTC) in support of the Ministry of Environment’s Whale Shark Research Project. This week a team of researchers travelled offshore, accompanied by world-class underwater camera teams, in search of the world’s largest fish!
“Whale sharks are one of the most impressive species in the world, measuring up to 12 metres in length and weighing more than 20 tonnes. The purpose of the research programme is to understand why so many whale sharks aggregate in the Al Shaheen area, and to learn more about their life-cycle,’ says Steffen Bach, Environmental Theme Lead at MO-RTC.
Highlights so far
Day one was a phenomenal success; the team found a group of around 70 feeding whale sharks, and spent more than five hours in the water taking photographs, scientific samples and attaching acoustic monitors, which will allow migration routes to be tracked.
“Primarily this is a scientific research trip,” explains Steffen. “But we’ve also brought along a specialist underwater film crew to capture our activities and we’ll be producing a documentary film that can be used here in Qatar, and of course elsewhere, to raise awareness of the rich and diverse wildlife that is found in and around the Al Shaheen field in Qatar”.
Award winning crew
Capturing the underwater scenes this week is a stellar cast of cameramen and producers, including Michael Pitts - a two time Emmy award winning cameraman who has worked on the BBC ‘Blue Planet’ series. Even Michael, who has filmed wildlife all over the world, has been amazed by the whale sharks in Qatar.
“On day one we had an incredible encounter with a huge group of whale sharks, which started at around 10.00hrs and finished as the sun went down,” says Michael. “They are amazing creatures, and it really was a privilege to be in the water with them.”
The film has been shot entirely on Red EPIC, and with filming complete on Wednesday 13th June, the Myriad team are eagerly anticipating taking the film into post production.