Luke Cresswell and Steven McNicholas best known for their dance sensation STOMP have teamed up once again in creating a spectacular 2D and 3D film adventure Wild Ocean 3D screening at the modern California Science Center in Los Angeles starting on October 17th,
2008. When asked how they went from choreographing on stage to creating a film about the deep sea of South Africa, Cresswell said it was from skipping out early on STOMP after parties in order to go scuba diving early the next day. It was out of their enjoyment of scuba diving that their passion for the marine world developed.
The political message of Wild Ocean 3D is the need to preserve and protect the marine world. By continuing to take sardines from the marine world’s food source, Cresswell feels that we threaten their existence and the health of the ocean that is already challenged by the effects of global warming. “We need to learn from out mistakes”, Cresswell said when asked about the importance of the film’s message. We need “sensible systems in place” to moderate our consumption of sardines before we have nothing left but a “nice warm sea with nothing in it”.
Director of Photography Reed Smoot captures the marine world at its most dynamic during the famous “sardine run” as dolphins and cape gannets swoop and dive, plunge and sway in an orchestrated dance as shoals of sardines shape-shift in syncopated rhythms in order to protect themselves from their ravished predators. Smoot’s lively visuals are elevated to an amazing spectacle by an original music score created by the talents of Luke Cresswell and
Steven McNicholas. Their musical score incorporates an a cappella of native sugar cane harvesters with the pulsating and earthy African drumbeats and orchestral hits. The combination is both breathtaking and charged with excitement.
Cresswell is “not against fishing by any means” and eats fish himself but hopes that Wild Ocean 3D will influence others to pay attention to the consumption of sardines from the foods we eat to the meals we feed our furry companions – our cats. The political message of the film is at times vague but this allows the audience to simply enjoy the sight of the raw beauty of South Africa’s expansive coastline and the rich number of marine life that still remains.
Wild Ocean 3D is a must see hit that will entertain both adults and children alike and will make you want to reach out and touch the nose of the dolphins before you. Two tails up!
“Wild Ocean 3D” is screening starting October 17th at the California Science Center at 700 State Drive, in Los Angeles. For more information call (213)744-7446. www.wildoceanfilm.com.
