Jobs & GoPro 4 Hero Housing

I just recently started looking at underwater filmmaking.

I have my advanced divers license with specialization in film/photo.

I am located in Southern Ontario, Canada.

There honestly isn't much, if any good diving spots near me.

The closest / best place I can think of is about 3-4 hours North in Tobermory. But that's about it. Just a few small caves and ship wrecks near the surface.

I've been shooting films for many years now ( short films, feature films, commercials, music videos, etc), BOTH in the Toronto film Union (Hollywood budget films) to smaller indie/private productions. So I'm thinking of combining both. But its just a thought. I'm not sure whether its worth doing it, if its in demand, and whether I would even get a job out of it.

As mentioned, I do work in the film union in Toronto, but they don't have specialties for 'underwater camera operators'. Nor do I believe they hire anyone locally here. -- As I dont know where they would film.

I would still love to film underwater. My first question:

1) How does one get a job doing underwater filmmaking? - For feature films, commercials, TV shows, etc.

If Id be getting a housing, id start off small.

I have no gear at the moment. Sold everything.

Id like to get the Canon 7Dii and a housing, but i think itll be too much for me at the moment. So, Im CONSIDERING using the GoPro.

It would be the GoPro Hero 4 Black, with a dive housing, Inon SD Mount Cage (http://reefphoto.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7809) + Inon Dome lens (http://reefphoto.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7811)

But, Im not seeing any results for the tray? with handles.

2) I would like to have handles with the 1" ball on top for attaching long arms for lights. The one Inon sells seems to be rather expensive. Are there any alternatives?

3) Is it worth the effort spending money on a gopro system, or just get the 7Dii underwater system?

The road into commercial filmmaking is a tortuous one!

You don't mention this, but for me the starting point would be to get real good underwater! Unless you can act completely instinctively underwater, your options will be limited. It varies of course, but somewhere between 3-500 dives in a bunch of different environments seems to be when things start to become viable. Of course, you may already have this experience.

GoPro footage is limited for commercial use. It is used for B roll, and when it captures an amazing event (the best camera is the one you have with you...) The majority of underwater footage for the types of show you mention are now shot on high-end 4K cameras like RED, Sony F5 or Canon C series. Of course most of the time, the camera operators do not own the cameras and housing, but they are hired in for the job.

My best advise would be to use your existing contacts to get you into underwater work. The filmmaking industry is a pretty closed shop, and you already have an "in".

If you are set on buying a camera, I would consider a 5D MK2 second hand. These still produce amazing footage, and are relatively inexpensive. In general you are better off using full frame cameras for film use (although this is a somewhat sweeping statement!)

Good luck!

All the best

Adam

Honestly, I don't think you can rent out any underwater gear here.

Yes, we have large camera rental houses, but I've never seen or heard of any underwater equipment being rented. It's because I don't know where they would use such equipment.

I don't really have an 'in'.

Because I'm working in the union doesn't really give me any job opportunities.

I used to own a 4K camera. The Canon C300,

But people these days are all biased on the popular brands like Red and Alexa. Can barely if at all afford to pay the crew or rental, but NEED this camera.

I got out of the freelance business because of that. People are cheap, but want the best.

Unless you have connections to big clients that can pay for quality. But I don't.

And that's why I'm in the union.