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We had a great trip aboard the M/V Bilikiki (www.bilikiki.com) with a fun group of divers and friends, including pioneer underwater photographer and film producer Stan Waterman, exploring the lush coral reefs, incredible fish and invertebrate life, and World War II artifacts of the Solomon Islands. Tom not only added more beautiful footage to our digital RED library, he also offered photography seminars and DVD showings. He and Stan entertained the group with endless stories from their decades of diving escapades.
 Tom returned to Mexico to film the incredible underwater sculpture gallery in clear waters of the National Marine Park off Cancun (http://www.underwatersculpture.com). Created by sculpture Jason deCaires Taylor, the 400 permanent life-sized sculptures form a complex reef structure for marine life to colonize and inhabit. Captured in RED digital format, the footage crisply showcases the details of the sculptures and the fish surrounding them.
Once a year, for a short period of time, there’s an extraordinary event that takes place, miles from shore in the middle of nowhere off the coast of Cozumel. It’s hit-or-miss at best, but if it’s on, it’s one of the most exhilarating and potentially dangerous shoots you could possibly imagine. Tom chartered a boat to go off the coast of Isla Mujeres to film the gathering of sailfish, capturing the drama as fish slashed with their swords into bait balls, often inches from his camera.
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Tom and Gianny kitted up for cenotes dive |
Tom and his 2nd camera/ RED technician Gianny Trutman, joined producer Peter Greenberg, to film the underwater segments of the PBS special, “Mexico: The Royal Tour.” Led by President Felipe Calderon, the show follows the President into Mexico’s extraordinary locations, landmarks, and cultural experiences. As an avid scuba diver, President Calderon wanted to include his dive adventures on the reefs of Cancun and in the cenotes (caves) near Cozumel. Knowing there’d be only one opportunity to get the shot, and get it right, the production company hired Tom.
Tom found President Calderon to be an especially warm, understanding person, deeply committed to fighting the war on drugs. “It was a real pleasure working with the President,” says Tom. Although secret service personnel surrounded the President at all times, even under the water (making it a real challenge for Tom to get footage!), Tom filmed some great sequences of Mexico’s leader exploring his country’s underwater world.
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| Tom briefing President Calderon before a dive |
 Tom led two back-to-back trips to Lembeh Straights, staying at Lembeh Resort (www.lembehresort.com), to explore and film the incredible diversity of strange and unusual creatures that dwell in the straights and bays of the region. Though famous for it’s “muck diving,” we also explored a newly opened area called Buyat Bay that has corals of astonishing size.
Over the course of the two trips, 20 divers joined us for both the great diving opportunities and the many informal talks Tom shared with them about photography & cinematography techniques, and how to market their images.
 Tom serves on the global advisory board of the BLUE OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL. This global film and conservation event was the first industry film festival and awards competition in the Unites States dedicated solely to the oceans. BLUE was created to honor, promote and share films that inspire people to protect our oceans.
At the 2009 and 2010 festivals, Tom served on various panels, with Howard Hall. Dr. Andrea Marshall, and others and conducted two all day, sold-out seminars on cinematography & marketing. Amphibico, one of the major festival supporters, generously donated several top of the line camera housings for participants to experience. After a presentation by Amphibico, Tom shared his experienced insights with participants on subjects such as beginning and advanced filming techniques along with successful marketing tips. He also provided hands-on training in the water with the various Amphibico housings during pool sessions. Here are some comments from a few of the 24 participants:
“You are a true professional and I love that you have done so much to help clear a path for those around you. I have to say, I regret not taking the advanced underwater workshop with you. I still have a lot to learn when it comes to filming underwater, and I should jump on any chance I get...especially when you are teaching it.” – Rob Sams, Sisbro Studios, Portland, OR
 “I found your hands on workshop to be extremely helpful and informative; I certainly came away learning more than I had even hoped for. Sometimes just hearing how another guy thinks about a certain problem or getting another perspective on how to manage the business end is incredibly valuable. Not everyone is as generous with that type of hard to get info so Thanks!”- Doug Clevenger, DP, Chicago, IL
“That workshop was the most valuable learning experience I had a chance to participate in at the festival. The wisdom Tom shared from his experiences is still percolating in my head, and will continue to do so for some time.” Stefani Gordon, Open Boat Films, Livingston, MT
“I thoroughly enjoyed your talk on the last day at the pool and felt as though I was perpetually learning throughout the entire day. I felt like a sponge every time I was listening to you all week long. I think what I learned most from you is how you've run your company from a business perspective. To me, aside from your obvious abilities, your business sense is what sets you apart from virtually everyone else in the industry.” – Bryce Groark, Living Ocean Productions, Kona, HI
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