Five Questions for Filmmakers: Shark, Episode 1

We reached out to our festival filmmakers to ask them five questions about the experience of making their films.

Shark: Episode 1 Trailer from Jackson Wild on Vimeo.

​What inspired this story?

Producer and Director Steve Greenwood: The image of sharks in the media is very negative, yet they are fascinating surprising creatures. So many documentaries focus only one a tiny number of species and I wanted to show the global audience the incredible variety of species and adaptations. Later films in the series showed their adaptations to different life histories and their vulnerability to exploitation. 

What impact do you hope this film will have?
​
SG: The film has been shown in many countries around the world. I hope it will inspire a new generation of young people to become shark scientists and the wider public to understand that these are remarkable and fascinating features. I also hope it will help to change attitudes amongst those who consume or catch shark. 

Photo courtesy of Shark: Episode 1

Describe some of the challenges faced while making this film.

​SG: The team had to  film under the arctic ice to find the Greenland shark. It involved cutting a hole in the ice that was over 12 feet thick and the filming team to drop into water that was minus 1 degree centigrade.  Diving with only a small exit hole in these conditions requires intricate planning and a lot of skill and bravery.

Photo courtesy of Shark: Episode 1

Photo courtesy of Shark: Episode 1