film & video production

PAST PRODUCTIONS

BIG BLUE

The documentary, “The Big Blue”, follows a season in the Upwelling and the life of those animals attracted to it. Starting at the bottom of the food chain with plankton and krill, these include tuna, shearwaters, gannets, penguins, dolphins, fur seals and squid.

Most impressive of all though are the blue whales. Weighing in at around 150 tonne with a length of 30 metres, the blue whale is the biggest animal to have ever lived. Article click here. Photos click here.

PRODUCTION FACILITIES

to come

TESTIMONIALS

Peter Talbot, Dive Supervisor and Marine Co-ordinator “Big Blue” March-April 2005

Having initially tried a variety of other craft ranging from large fishing boats through to fast inflatables, we were unsuccessful until we applied the unique characteristics of Pelican. Pelican provided an ideal platform that offered amazing stability, copious storage, easy diver access and retrieval, and the ability to operate silently under sail.

Pelican’s crew were competent seamen, always ready to lend a hand with any task. The friendly atmosphere onboard made the project all the more enjoyable. After such a positive experience I would strongly recommend Pelican as a boat to be considered for filming and expedition applications."

Rory McGuinness ACS, Cinematographer, “Big Blue” March-April 2005

Through the summer and early autumn of 2005 I was employed as a cameraman to work on a project for the ABC and NHK filming blue whales and other marine life off the southern Victorian coastline. In the planning stages of this job one of our concerns was the problem of finding a suitable vessel as a platform for our operations. Given the difficulties of approaching the whales, diving and working some distance off the coast in the Southern Ocean we needed a boat that was light, fast, quiet, stable and seaworthy and could accommodate up to 12 people with all our equipment. We needed good dry working spaces as well as ready access to the water with some very heavy gear.

As it turned out we were very lucky to use the SV Pelican. This catamaran could not have been better suited to the job. As a stable filming platform it was excellent compared to a monohull vessel. I have never been on a boat before where a cup of coffee can sit all day on a table without moving regardless of weather! As a dive platform it allowed immediate access to the water with all our gear via the well conceived "beach" or ramp at the stern. This also facilitated very easy retrieval which is perhaps the most challenging aspect of multiple dives with a camera.

The crew were very efficient and always committed to our getting the best results possible. Skipper Garry McKechnie handled the boat with panache and always put us where we needed to be. The superb functionality of his vessel and it's unique and attractive design are all the product of Garry's inventiveness, passion and a commitment that he applied over the 5 years it took to construct it. He also brings these qualities to the job when on the water and it was great to work with a skipper that contributed in such a positive way to the day to day problem solving that our work seems to require!

Overall she was a great little ship to work from and I would be delighted to have the opportunity to spend more time on her. On the Pelican we managed to keep everything working, we ate well, we slept well, and as a bonus to our film, she looked beautiful under sail. I can recommend the Pelican for any research or filming project where quick access to the water, stability, manoeuvre ability, quietness, good food and plenty of laughs are a prerequisite.