How are underwater scenes in movies filmed?
In some movies, for instance the Jaws series, it's a wonderful feeling to see sharks underwater and have it feel very realistic.
I'm curious to know how they film underwater scenes in movies. Not just in Jaws, but other movies as well.
What are the techniques used to film the underwater scenes in movies?
Best Answer
Mostly with underwater cameras and divers mixed with Computer Generated Imagery (CGI).
- This particular scene looks to be filmed completely underwater with a shark model. Nowadays they would simply film the water surface and add a CG shark later. CG effects grow better and they just make complete scene with CG.
- When there is a need to film an actor in water the scene is shot in a swimming pool and cover the background with green screen so the CG can make it seem they are deep in the water or in some other location.
Behind the cameras there is full team in scuba gear. The scene is shot in many little pieces depending how long actors can hold their breaths before they surface or are given an air tank. When the video is cut and other camera angles added it appears as they never left the water.
When an actor's face is not visible, a professional "breath hold" diver is shot in the scene in one continuous roll.
Here you can see how they filmed Harry Potter underwater.
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How do they film scenes under water?
Mostly with underwater cameras and divers mixed with Computer Generated Imagery (CGI). This particular scene looks to be filmed completely underwater with a shark model. Nowadays they would simply film the water surface and add a CG shark later. CG effects grow better and they just make complete scene with CG.How do they make it look like actors are underwater?
We shot it using this technique we call dry for wet. It's literally what it sounds like: We shot against blue screen in the soundstage but we put the actors on these really cool rigs. These rigs were hooked up to harnesses and it was a rig that basically helped to simulate floating or swimming underwater.How do they film people talking underwater?
Special underwater communication systems have been developed to allow divers to talk to each other underwater. A transducer is attached to the diver's face mask, which converts his or her voice into an ultrasound signal.Behind The Scenes Of 10 Iconic Underwater Movie Scenes
More answers regarding how are underwater scenes in movies filmed?
Answer 2
In some cheap movies (fairy tales) they clearly used aquarium, either standing in front of the actors, or overlaid over the actors in postproduction.
Answer 3
They have a high tech cameras for underwater filming plus it really takes a lot preparation and takes just to capture the right scenes. It looks wonderful on screen but lot of works.
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