An update from the edit suite with Shaped by Water Director Dean Leslie

How Mike Douglas transitioned from professional freeskier to adventure filmmaker

How to become an adventure filmmaker with Jase Hancox

Dean Leslie

“The initial edit is not dissimilar to having a massive puzzle that you need to both create and then put together.”

The film is now in the final edit phase. For those who may not know, what does this entail?

We started the edit in October 2022, and have been in post-production since then, with footage continuing to come in from the sailing team during that time. At the beginning it felt like we had a lot of time - but suffice it to say we’ve been incredibly busy. With this kind of film, the initial edit is not dissimilar to having a massive puzzle that you need to both create and then put together. It’s the most daunting part of the process, and it’s also where a lot of the storytelling happens. Right now, we’re finishing off all the final visual effects, graphics, and sound design.

We recently spoke to Todd Hannigan, who composed the score. How exciting was this collaboration?

It was great working with Todd, and quite fortuitous how it came about. We were throwing around some ideas in the early stages of the edit, and the music in the surf film “Thicker than Water” was brought up, which was composed by Todd. A few weeks later I found myself connecting with Todd over Zoom, shortly after that, Todd sent across his first idea, which grew into the opening of the film. It was incredibly valuable in the editing process to have that creative bounce back between music and picture. Often Todd would send something which would help me to see how to move through the film in a new way. There’s no doubt in my mind that it’s a stronger and more powerful film because of Todd.

Were there any unexpected discoveries or themes that emerged during the editing process?

Absolutely. I have a love-hate relationship with the edit suite. Being holed away in a dark room for months on end is not anyone’s idea of fun, but it’s definitely the heart and soul of the process. After two decades of filmmaking, it’s still daunting, but the complexity of the process brings a singular focus to the work, much like riding a wave. There’s a kind of beauty in the misery, and this film was also both challenging and unique. We wanted to convey experience over opinions, without any dialogue or narration. It was simple but complex, much like our connection with the ocean.

No items found.

Keep exploring ...

How Mike Douglas transitioned from professional freeskier to adventure filmmaker

How to become an adventure filmmaker with Jase Hancox

No items found.

Has it been challenging to balance the different perspectives and journeys of each athlete? If so, how?

I wouldn’t say that the balance was challenging, but connecting with each athlete visually was. Freediving and sailing are easy conceptually, but having no dialogue makes it a delicate process. More so, we wanted the film to also be about the story of water – it’s the A story and the B story. During the edit I managed to work out how to use water in its different forms as a transitional element which allowed me to introduce concepts around weather and water cycles in a relatively natural way to the film. There is a commonality you find in the outdoor community that transcends language, culture, and country. So you don’t need to search hard to try and connect the idea behind the different sports or practices, as there is a shared ethos and spirit.

The ocean itself is also a key character in the film. Has the editing process changed your relationship with the ocean?

I grew up in and around the ocean and, then in my twenties, I carried across the lessons I learned from my time in the water to help form a storytelling career. The ocean has always been a place I’ve appreciated, and I am surrounded by its smells and sounds and moods every day of my life. I’ve lived no further than a few hundred yards from it for nearly 20 years, and I can hear the waves breaking in the Atlantic Ocean in my edit suite. In short, it is a huge part of my life. So, to have the opportunity to create a piece of work that honors and recognizes the ocean for what it is - a love letter of sorts to the sea - was weirdly cathartic. I spent a lot of time in the edit suite ingrained in some of the happiest memories of my life spent in and around the ocean.

Has it been challenging to balance the different perspectives and journeys of each athlete? If so, how?

The ocean itself is also a key character in the film. Has the editing process changed your relationship with the ocean?

Has it been challenging to balance the different perspectives and journeys of each athlete? If so, how?

The ocean itself is also a key character in the film. Has the editing process changed your relationship with the ocean?

No items found.

Drag

How does the final version of the film compare to the very first original idea and storyline you first talked about all those months ago pre-filming?

Like any project, it’s developed over the course of a year, but the original ideas, themes, and elements are all in the final film, alongside a few additions. It’s been a long journey to get to this point, and I’m very proud of all the work we’ve all done to get it here.

Without giving too much away, are there any particular shots or scenes that really inspired you?

In different parts of the process, I was inspired by different sections. I filmed a lot of the ocean scenes around the corner from where I live, which meant I was directly connected to a lot of those images, and they mean a lot to me personally. And then the freediving shoot was also in my backyard and that shoot was a special one. For the skiing footage, we have some really stunning material that really helped tie the film together. I find now that depending on the day, I can appreciate different elements of the film. Each time you watch it, you will appreciate and take away something different, depending on your mood and the day, kind of like a painting.

QUESTIONS

11th Hour Racing

ANSWERS

Dean Leslie

If you were looking for Dean Leslie over the last few months the chances are you would have found him in one place only: the edit suite! Or, as Dean calls it: the edit cave.

‍

Deep in post-production, a task he describes as “the heart and soul” of the process, the adventure filmmaker has been busy developing the final version of the Shaped by Water film.

‍

Keep exploring ...

How Mike Douglas transitioned from professional freeskier to adventure filmmaker

How to become an adventure filmmaker with Jase Hancox

Update From The Edit Suite - 1 Carousel 1

Keep exploring ...

How Mike Douglas transitioned from professional freeskier to adventure filmmaker

How to become an adventure filmmaker with Jase Hancox

The film is now in the final edit phase. For those who may not know, what does this entail?

We recently spoke to Todd Hannigan, who composed the score. How exciting was this collaboration?

Were there any unexpected discoveries or themes that emerged during the editing process?

Dean Leslie

“The initial edit is not dissimilar to having a massive puzzle that you need to both create and then put together.”

Has it been challenging to balance the different perspectives and journeys of each athlete? If so, how?

The ocean itself is also a key character in the film. Has the editing process changed your relationship with the ocean?

Update From The Edit Suite - 3 Carousel 3

How does the final version of the film compare to the very first original idea and storyline you first talked about all those months ago pre-filming?

Without giving too much away, are there any particular shots or scenes that really inspired you?

No items found.

Dean Leslie

“The starting point for any story shouldn’t be to teach people, but should instead be about sharing experiences and idea.”

If you were looking for Dean Leslie over the last few months the chances are you would have found him in one place only: the edit suite! Or, as Dean calls it: the edit cave.

‍

Deep in post-production, a task he describes as “the heart and soul” of the process, the adventure filmmaker has been busy developing the final version of the Shaped by Water film.

‍

Update From The Edit Suite - Red 2

Update From The Edit Suite - Red 1

How did you go about effectively conveying the message that the ocean shapes us all?

Great question. I think the starting point for any story shouldn’t be to teach people, but should instead be about sharing experiences and ideas. To inspire rather than directly inform and to start conversations. Because conceptually, the idea that we are all connected to the ocean is something we already know. But on a deeper level, the whole concept can be a bit mind-bending. I hope that if you watch the film – even if you have not spent much time in the ocean – you’ll want to spend more time outside. That’s the starting point for everything.

‍

I think the best answer would be to watch the film. But what I will add is that almost everyone that worked on this film was shaped by water and the ocean, and all that passion and all that love and appreciation was put into this film. There is currency and value in that. It makes the whole process incredibly valuable, and I hope that carries through in the film.

Previously unseen

ABOUT THE PROJECT

To highlight the connection between water and sports, we’ve brought together an internationally renowned freediver, a world champion freeskier, and professional offshore sailing team. Like water, these athletes move in unison with their mind, body, and the present moment. Together, these athletes bring to life their fullest expressions– like water, they flow.

ABOUT THE TEAM

We chose athletes who are not only the best at what they do but also align with 11th Hour Racing’s mission to protect and restore the ocean. We hired local storytelling teams who are also some of the best in the world. Each part of the production was carefully considered to come together as one holistic story.

Behind the Scenes

Latest stories

Nov 21, 2023

USA

Sailing