Gavin McKinney, the director of photography for the IMAX 3D film
Sharks, recently visited
Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology to speak with the students enrolled in the Communications Technology Academy Television Production division.
McKinney, a native Bahamian who says he "grew up on and underwater," has co-produced and served as director of photography with 3D Entertainment on other underwater films for IMAX Theatres, including
Ocean Wonderland, Dolphins and Whales, and his latest project, Oceanworld. He has also contributed his diving skills as a stuntman in other films, such as the James Bond movies.
The World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater, located in St. Augustine, brought McKinney from his home in the Bahamas for the opening of
Sharks.
During his visit with the Peterson students and their teacher, Charlie Tullington, McKinney discussed the triumphs and challenges of filming underwater, and also gave his views of some of the incorrect perceptions humans typically have of underwater wildlife.
"The Sharks movie was an opportunity to raise awareness about the threats sharks face, and help others understand how important they are to the health and wealth of the ocean."
For the filming of Sharks, McKinney and his team spent about 600 hours in the water, shot 100 hours worth of film footage and edited the footage to a 42-minute movie.
Sharks was filmed in seven different locations, including Egypt, the United States, South America and the Bahamas.
More information about Sharks is available at
www.sharks3d.com.
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