Ocean
with David Attenborough
Theatrical Release
“After almost 100 years on the planet, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea.”
Ocean with David Attenborough is a new feature-length documentary special produced by Silverback about the health of the world’s oceans.
Our Services: Equipment Rental, Vision Post Production, Sound Design and Foley from Films at 59.
Films at 59 have had the privilege of a longstanding relationship with the incredible Sir David Attenborough, working on many ground-breaking projects over the years. The release of Ocean, coinciding with his 99th Birthday, is a fitting celebration of his continuing work in Natural History.
Described as Sir Davids greatest message of hope this feature length production in an incredible journey of ocean discovery revealing our oceans significance. Through spectacular sequences of coral reefs, kelp forests and the open ocean, Attenborough shares why a healthy ocean keeps the entire planet stable and flourishing.
“The ocean can bounce back to life,” Sir David says. “If left alone it may not just recover but thrive beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen.”
Hayley Shipman – Films at 59 Post Producer
Like many Natural History productions, Oceans posed significant challenges as it was shot largely underwater as well as having some complex deliverable requirements and a tight deadline. As Post Producer, I was responsible for overseeing the entire post-production process—serving as the vital link between creative and technical departments, while managing the high expectations from the production team. What set Oceans apart from other projects I’ve handled at Films was the dual-delivery requirement: both a theatrical version and a version for television. These workflows are markedly different, each with its own complex set of deliverables and stringent technical specifications, all under an extremely considerable time pressure.
Working as post-producer on David Attenborough’s Oceans was a privilege and a lot of fun, working along side a great production team. Being part of a project with such a vital environmental message was a great experience and it felt really positive to be part of something delivering such a meaningful message.
Simon Bland – Films at 59 Colourist
It was privilege to grade Ocean with David Attenborough, this feature length project is visually epic with the wonder of our oceans captured through stunning cinematography and beautifully delivers such a powerful message of hope.
Underwater colour correction holds its challenges, from balancing footage from mixed formats to creatively matching colour levels from different depths and distances, reintroducing the red channel where little is able to be captured. Once balanced I worked on adding layers to create the looks for the different mood and tones of each scene, a richness and life to the sumptuous kelp forests and oyster beds, the stripped back bleakness to emphasise the impact of the trawler fishing especially on the sea floor. Using a warm through to muted palette for the Liberia sequence gives added emphasis to the before and after impact large boat fishing has on their livelihoods followed by a steely look through the arctic krill depletion. Immersive colour detail supports the feel of this breathtaking film exploring the planets undersea habitats.
HDR & SDR for national geographic and DCI P3 cinema version all colour finished in Baselight with an ACES lossless workflow through Flame and VFX departments.
Ocean with David Attenborough is a Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios co-production, in association with All3Media International, National Geographic, and Minderoo Pictures.
The film is directed by Toby Nowlan, Keith Scholey and Colin Butfield and produced by Nowlan.
It is co-produced by Arksen & 10% for the Ocean, Don Quixote Foundation, National Geographic Society and Pristine Seas, Revive Our Ocean, and The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.