Underwater Filmmaking Comes to Windsor

Water TankFinding treasure on a deserted island, watching mermaids from a U-boat and even sinking Atlantis are now all in a day’s work for University of Windsor cinematography students, thanks to the thrilling new addition of a 1,000-gallon water tank in Communication Studies’ Studio 5.

“Filmmaking is like making dreams in a dream factory,” says Min Bae, professor of Communication Studies. “That’s how we get excited and start a project,” he explains.
It is then not surprising that, in his constant effort to expand student opportunities for learning, Bae decided to create in a unique underwater filmmaking environment for his pupils.

In December of 2006, Bae enlisted the help of Keith Greenhalf, a third year Computer Science student, who designed the permanent water tank feature and built it with the help of Bae’s independent-study students.
The project was completed in late February, with all work finished on a volunteer basis.
“We would not get very far without volunteering,” says Greenhalf, leaning against his creation.

The tank’s frame is a welded network of square iron tubing that stands 50 inches tall. It is supported by a wood-reinforced steel base 99 inches in length and 50 inches wide. The tank’s walls and bottom are fashioned out of custom-sized Plexiglas, held together with adhesive Silicone sealant that not only prevents leaks but also adds to the integrity of the structure.

“I most definitely enjoyed working on this project because it was fun,” says Greenhalf. “It was a new experience for me.” Although he wasn’t too keen on the heavy lifting required to install the Plexiglas, Greenhalf admits it was all worth seeing the tank get filled for the first time.

The tank holds 144 cubic feet of water, amounting to 9,000 lbs of pressure. “Most people don’t realise how heavy water is,” Greenhalf remarks. “I mean, nine thousand pounds, that’s an elephant!”
Miniatures such as remote-control U-boats and tankers as well as hand-made sets usually accompany a camera operator inside the tank, along with a camera in special underwater housing.

Because of the excess volume, the tank is never filled beyond three quarters of its capacity as a safety precaution. This still amounts to roughly 7,000 lbs of water pressure, which requires 5-6 hours to fill with a regular hose and 30 minutes to empty with the help of a small pool pump.

The total cost of the project was $6,000. The Communication Department granted the studio $2,500, which paid for the Plexiglas. The rest was Bae’s personal investment.
Initially, Bae set up Studio 5 as a personal research facility but later opened it for classroom use to allow his students to see how he worked.

“I wanted to create an open community in which students engaged with the professor and worked together,” he explains.

Thanks to student help and Bae’s constant work and dedication, this is precisely what Studio 5 has become.

“It’s sort of a production Mecca for the Communication Studies Department,” says Associate Dean of Arts and Social Sciences Dr. Kai Hildebrandt. “It’s a very nice and unusual place to find in Windsor.”

However, Bae is confident the addition of this unique filmmaking tool will extend the production value and possibilities of the communications program and will encourage more students to pursue production at the University of Windsor.

“It poses more challenges to students and it allows them a greater understanding of cinematography,” Bae says.

Although the water tank is currently used only for student projects, Bae is hopeful this accomplishment can make a contribution to Windsor’s independent film production industry by helping the city’s young filmmakers come together to work and learn.

Bae is also optimistic that such collaborative filmmaking will eventually help Windsor’s status as a production community rise to the same level as that of greater metropolitan areas like Toronto and Detroit.

Located in the Old Drama Building, Studio 5 has an open-door policy to visitors and will remain open during the summer months for both student use and independent productions.