Deeper
A feature documentary following an expedition into a deep, cold-water cave system in New Zealand.
The brief
Ben's brief was to provide observational documentary coverage and field direction throughout the expedition. The work combined a highly technical subject with a remote, physically demanding environment in which access, time, safety and changing conditions shaped every decision. The production needed to document not only the dives, but the preparation, judgement and relationships that allowed the expedition to proceed.
How it was made
Field direction and cinematography were embedded with the expedition. Working within the access and safety limits of the location, Ben documented the preparation, expertise and technical work surrounding the dives, as well as the pressure and emotion experienced by the people involved. A small field team needed to remain responsive as events unfolded, finding the necessary coverage without interrupting the work or compromising the trust of the participants.
What was delivered
The quality and scope of the footage captured during the expedition helped the production secure financing to complete the feature, while also becoming core material in the finished documentary. Deeper went on to premiere at SXSW in Austin, Texas, and was released on Netflix in Australia and New Zealand.
Credits
- Production
- Stranger Than Fiction / 57 Films / Speleopix
- Writer / Director
- Jen Peedom
- Producers
- Blayke Hoffman / Paul Ryan
- Co-Director
- Alex Barry
- Field Director / Cinematographer
- Ben Dowie
- Second Camera
- Sam Dawson
- Aerial Cinematography
- Cam Batten
- Underwater Cinematography
- Richard Harris / Jon Shaw ACS
- Executive Producers
- Richard Harris / Joanne McGowan / Sarah Noonan / Anna Godas / David Gross / Oli Harbottle / Mark Kresser / Paul Weigard
- Film Editor
- Simon Njoo
- Original Score
- Antony Partos
- Voice
- Lisa Gerrard