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by Michael D. SellersPaul Mockler (our underwater cinematographer), Ken Levasseur (dolphin specialist), and I had an interesting conference call yesterday to discuss ways that we can achieve a kind of “dolphin cam” — means of communicating the point of view perspective of a dolphin including high speed underwater travel and the way that a dolphin experiences sonar. There are some really interesting things that we’re going to do which have never been done before:Outrigger MountWe will be building a special underwater rig which can be trailed from an outrigger on a boat with some degree of auto-control allowing it to move through the water among dolphins. So, imagine 3-4 dolphins swimming alongside a “mechanical dolphin” which is our point of view. We would experience being in among the dolphins moving at speed, including leaps out of the water and other movements.Dolphin CamWe are going to be able to mount a small camera on a dolphin. This picture shows a rig which the dolphins at UNEXSO are used to wearing as part of a scientific experiment. In the experiment, the rig monitors their heart rate and other internal factors as they dive at depths of up to 100 feet. We will replace the monitoring gear with a small HD camera.
SonarWe are also working on a system which will be able to convey the way a dolphin experiences the use of sonar. The scenario we’re looking at involves a dolphin looking for something in an underwater cave or at the entrance to such a cave. With Ken Levasseur’s help, we are designing an FX shot wherein we go see the sonar “light up” the dark area in a way that arguably approximates the way a dolphin uses both vision and acoustic information and integrates it.These are small touches that have to work in the service of the story — but if we are able to achieve visual things that haven’t been done before, and do so organically in the service of the story, it will help elevate the film and create some very dynamic visuals which are particularly helpful in creating a trailer that has a certain “wow” factor.
by Michael D. SellersOne of the things that is going to figure very prominently in Way of the Dolphin is an attempt to portray and explore “dolphin consciousness”. In connection with this I’ve been doing a lot of research and one of the most interesting things I’ve come across is the way in which autistic individuals may have the greatest insight into this. In line with this I’m attaching two things — a file and a link.Here is the file: What Do Animals Think? Download what_do_animals_think.docThis is an interesting artlcle which focuses on Temple Grandin, a very famous (in certain circles) autistic person who is considered a top authority on animal consciousness and who designed the humane slaughter system for cattle that is currently in use in the United States. Very interesting observations.Even more compelling is a film made by an incredibly talented and articulate (even though she can’t speak a word) young autistic woman. Here is the link: In My Language It’s a six minute film — the first three minutes are without words, then there is a translation that is very compelling and interesting.It may not be immediately apparent what this has to do with the movie — but consider this. We are attempting to depict a process of breaking down the walls of “no communication” between humans and a very intelligent animal. Ken Levassuer, our dolphin expert, likens it to the situation of “Helen Keller before Annie Sullivan” …. i.e Keller was perceived to be mentally handicapped because she couldn’t communicate–yet once a system was devised she proved to be brilliant. Similarly, the autistic film-maker in this film had no ability to communicate with us until the keyboard interface allowed her master English and communicate that way. When you watch her film, it may seem at first to be kind of random but it’s not. She is taking us inside her world in which she has a much more acute awareness of physical things — textures, sounds, the way things feel…..and this, we are to understand from the scientific literature….has much in common with the way animals perceive their world.
