How Jaws Changed the World - Shark Week 2012

I vividly remember watching Jaws for the first time – actually, I spent most of the time hiding behind the couch or my hands – peeking out once in a while trying to catch a glimpse of the monster.  Going to the swimming pool became an ordeal, my imagination would always run wild as Jaws was stalking me to the tunes of John Williams.  Fortunately, I was lucky enough to have had a balance in our home due to the constant interest in diving, the ocean, and sharks.  Jaws had a profound effect on everyone that watched the movie at the time in one way or another.

“How Jaws Changed the World” attempted to shed light on the positive impact it had on people and sharks – such as a generation of marine biologists or that it inspired salvation (if anything, maybe the aftermath of the movie inspired salvation).  This might be true, but there is no way that it comes even close to the damage it did / still does to sharks – not just in terms of those killed mindlessly , but also as far as human perceive these creatures.  More people became Quinn opposed to Hooper…there was a significant decline in the shark population in New England and probably elsewhere.  The movie did what it was supposed to do…scare people and then some.

One may argue – times were different then, and people did not know much about sharks. On the other hand,  as a result of the movie, more funds were made available to research sharks.  Discovery Channel aired various Jaws DVD ads during Shark Week 2012 (even during “How Jaws Changed the World”) – why not donate a percentage of those proceeds to shark research / protection – why was there no drive whatsoever during that episode to encourage people to donate? Wasted opportunity…

Some other thoughts:

• Why was Mark the Shark given airtime?
• Where were the usual shark industry critics…more attention was given to the VW ad than Shark Week.  I guess you cannot bite the hand that feeds you…
• Wish Joe Romero would have been given more airtime – his work is phenomenal

Impossible Shot + Sharkzilla - Shark Week 2012

So far so good…after watching three episodes I have yet to see blood in the water – and that is a great thing.  The Impossible Shot is just about that – pushing the limits of getting that new angle using creative and ingenious ideas + technology.  There was a nice integration of some of the pioneering shark U/W videographers such as Stan Waterman and how they have progressed over time. 

Both the GoPro and Phantom cameras were featured again as in the previous episode.  But this one added one more variable…45 HD cameras filming at the same time to create what is know as a time splice.  Some very interesting footage was captured as a result.  As of now, a lot of focus seems to be going into the capability of these new cameras and how to get views that have never been captured before.

I have to admit that I breezed through the Sharkzilla episode, as I personally did not find it that interesting.  However, anyone that finds, prehistoric sharks, engineering, and crowds chanting entertaining will enjoy this one.

What next…

Note: Unfortunately due to travel I will not be able to watch the other episodes until next week - will write about them then. 

Air Jaws Apocalypse - Shark Week 2012

What can I say – I am highly impressed with the first episode of Shark Week 2012 and very much looking forward to the rest.  While Air Jaws as a concept is not new and breaching White Sharks are not novel anymore – the technology used to film this episode made for some stunning footage and made me feel like I was seeing these majestic animals up close again for the first time.

A Phantom camera was used to film most of the episode, which allows for extremely high quality video and the possibility to slowing down frames without losing any detail.  The camera can shoot at resolutions up to 2560x1600 pixels at anywhere from 10 frames-per-second up to 1,455 frames-per-second (fps).  To put that into perspective, my GoPro shoots at 720 pixels at 60fps. (Then again, my GoPro only costs a few hundred bucks – I believe the Phantom can go into the six digits).

Some other things I enjoyed:

• Labeled sharks as highly intelligent, with individual personalities that actually learn from one another.  Good to hear when others speak about sharks having small walnut brains with only two modes – predator and not.  Anyone that has spent enough time in the water with these animals will know that sharks are adaptable, intelligent, and each unique.
• GoPro seems to be a standard for all U/W productions these days one-way or another.  Fantastic product!
• Luke Tipple and the VW ad – congrats on the work Luke!

There was only one thing I did not enjoy and that was the Jaws DVD release ad– give sharks a break.

Good stuff Discovery.

Shark Week 2012

Shark Week has now been airing on the Discovery Channel for 25 years.  Anyone that has been watching the last five years can attest to the degradation of the show year after year. Focused on sensationalism, it has lost its soul and passion that it once had way back when.  Of course television has changed as well - in a time of "reality shows" such as The Real House Wives of (insert city of choice) viewers are more interested in plastic drama than quality, while the executives in ratings / eyeballs / advertising money.  I guess the comparison can be made with The Real World (MTV) - remember the first season in NYC - compare that to the Real World St. Thomas (really???)

As I set my DVR to record the week, I am reminded of the past titles that are being shown as reruns, similar to those D horror movies that only make it to DVD.  

But among all the blood, gore, and sinister sharks apparently there is hope for this 25th anniversary - at least that is what the industry insiders are buzzing about...a bit hard to believe when teasers such as the following are being aired:



JAWS will never die…

This year’s conservation partner of the show is Shark Savers – solid organization that brings a lot of credibility and a definite plus.  

Hoping for a great week - one that will change perceptions.

Discovery Channel looking for a CSO...Seriously?!?!?

Discovery Channel is looking for a Chief Shark Officer for this years Shark Week - this is not a joke.


See press release here

Some highlights from the job description / qualifications:

• Must enjoy exotic, waterfront locations, buff bodies in bathing suits
• Look delicious in a wet suit - (this is wrong either way you look at it.  Fat / ugly people are not allowed to apply and skinny models are not appetizing to sharks).
• Benefits - a lot of insurance (Um, why?)

Sure, it is to be taken light hearted - but when will Discovery Channel stop with the "hungry, bloody, man-eating" association to sharks?

I know a few people that would love to have this position...I feel bad for the person that lands this job...it will be...dangerous.

Discovery Shark Week 2010 - Into The Shark Bite

The second episode of Discovery’s Shark Week 2010 seems to be more applicable to last year’s lineup which is unfortunate as Ultimate Air Jaws was well done.  The network describes Into the Shark Bite as: “Go on a wild ride as we show you the last thing you'd ever want to see in real life: close up views of attacks by the world's most deadly sharks — from inside their mouths! Shark expert Mark Addison and underwater cameraman Andy Casagrande risk life and limb to get their special mini-HD cameras INTO THE SHARK BITE!”

• Logo used had the usual blood streaks that Discovery loves so much 
• Show was hosted by Andy Brandy Casagrande IV, A.K.A ABC4, and Mark Addison
• ABC4 is known for his involvement as cameraman or producer for shows such as Deadly Waters, Great White Appetite, and Shark Attack Survival Guide.  Deadly Waters did nothing positive for sharks, nor did this one…and I will see what Shark Attack Survival Guide is all about tomorrow. These shows just seem to add to what has become known as shark porn.  Andy is also a singer – he wrote a song about white sharks.  Throughout the show, ABC4 reminds us how dangerous the situations are that Mark and he are in – he also screams too much.  I met Andy at a Shark Saver’s fundraiser event – he sang his song.  Mike wrote a bit about him as well – read post here
• Mark Addison is an experienced shark diving operator in South Africa.  He was part of a phenomenal shark documentary called Deadly Stripes.  Surprised as to why he would participate in the production of this show, a show that refers to “his” Tiger Sharks as the second most deadly sharks.  Read their blog description, it tells a different story from this show. (It should be noted that all operators have been incident free).  
• Mark is bumped by a black tip on the surface – why would they show this as part of the show?  A rhetorical question, of course. The bump made this look as a dangerous situation which it was not.
• The HD GOPRO is a phenomenal product.

Overall, I did not find an educational value or any other meaningful purpose to this episode…I think it still feeds off the fear that people have being inside a sharks mouth.  If anything, it reinforces the message of angst.  You can watch some excerpts of the show here – of course it features the Black Tip bump.


Wonder what the next episode holds...

Discovery Shark Week 2010 - Ultimate Air Jaws

So, I have finally decided to start watching Discovery's Shark Week 2010 and will look at one episode a day and write about it.  This year seemed to have lacked the fan-fair of  2009 - when the whole show was really promoted as (if I could use one word to describe it) - blood.  Some very good shark porn...


I have to admit, that the first episode was good - especially compared to previous episodes...

• The logo used this year had a positive feel to it...there were no blood spots, no bite marks, had neutral / "good" colors and even included the word HAPPY - baby steps, but it works...small changes  
• Absolutely amazing images produced by a Phantom Camera.  Shoots 1,000 frames per second, possible to slowdown action 40 times.  The details of the sharks breaching were phenomenal.  The slow motion effects captured the beauty of these animals in such a "violent" moment.  The music was well applied - minus the kayaking scene - became too dramatic
• Narration was very balanced, not sensational
• Hosted by Chris Fallows - pioneer of Air Jaws photography
• White sharks eat 1% of seal colony (total colony: 60,000) each year
• Juvenile white sharks in Mossel Bay swim close to shore - very close to shore, yet there are hardly any incidents.  Reasons are still unknown, may be for mating, feeding of fish, oxygen levels of water...
• Seal Eye camera and sled were interesting and innovative to get a closer look at sharks while in predatory mode
• Bruce (from Nemo) came to mind often during breaches...
• Must suck to be a seal in South Africa - 20-30 patrolling sharks around the island make the commute a bitch.

First impressions of shark week are very good thus far.  The next episode promoted was Into the Shark Bite...unfortunately it already had already lines like "Risk life and limb..." - we'll see tomorrow. 

My Thoughts on Discovery's Shark Week 2010...

I do not have any...yet.  Usually I would drop everything I do to watch the show, but as the years have passed and the programming has worsened, I find myself recording the episodes and forcing myself to watch them.  


So far two episodes are on my DVR - tonight I will watch the first - which from title and previews seems to be on the right path - but the second episode - title-wise is already throwing me off.


Reviews to come soon... 

Shark Week -- Education or Just Entertainment?

I really do not know what to expect from Shark Week this year - the last seasons have been complete disasters in my opinion in the portrayal of sharks.  I will say that the logo looks much "friendly" (no blood) and positive this year - it is a start.


But from reading Shark Diver's last post - change does not seem imminent:


Shark Week -- Education or Just Entertainment "Chris Palmer and Peter Kimball just hit a home run over at Huff Post today talking Shark Weekand the ongoing debate about wildlife television.

Many years ago I wrote an Op Ed for a local San Diego paper titled "When Filmmakers Attack...." 

- Read complete post.

So I am hoping to see more than just a fresh logo.

Discovery Channel's Shark Week Shark After Dark

How can one describe them other than 'majestic'?
Caribbean Reef Shark (Bahamas)

Photo: Wolfgang Leander
Click on image to enlarge

The last episode of Discovery Channel's Shark Week - finally - it has been grueling and boring, but we have finally come to an end - no more blood, no more attacks, no more wounds, no more hosts that are scared of sharks, no more Shark Porn.

My thoughts on Sharks After Dark:

• Mark Rackley got old - remember him when he did some amazing stuff with Manny Puig - at least I thought it was amazing back then
• Cat Gennaro - she is not a shark person - she is scared of them. I remember two separate incidents where sharks singled her out - a white and a mako...she must give off a bad vibe. And lines like: "I did not know if they would tear me apart" (by lemon) sharks does not help.
• I am still amazed at white sharks breaching - what an incredible sight
• I have free-dived with Tigers and Lemons at night and found them to be calmer than at day time.
• Credits thanked Eli Martinez - no comment - I still wonder why he de-friended me on Facebook - I think he also de-friended my dad (that I can understand).

I am happy Shark Week is over...while their ratings have been high, it seems like the media has also been criticizing the network for the production of this year's PORN.

"Killing Machines?" - They are the guardians of our Oceans
Caribbean Reef Shark (Bahamas)

Photo: Wolfgang Leander
Click on image to enlarge

Discovery Channel's Shark Week Great White Appetite

I think there was a mistake in Discovery Channel's scheduling during Shark Week - this episode was not driven by attacks, blood, and over-caffeinated hosts. Considering the quality and content of the four previous episodes, this is the first to pass.

Some thoughts:

• First thought when shark bites Zodiac - boat had bait dangling on side - and we will never know
• Jeremiah Sullivan is a cool call
• Watch the video below sent to me by a friend - good recap of Shark Week thus far:

WATCH VIDEO

Discovery Channel's Shark Week Shark Bite Summer

To be very honest, I am not going to say much about this show, out of respect to the people their stories and lost of loved ones. I clearly remember that summer - the media frenzy - and how it all stopped on Sept. 11, 2001.

At least Discovery Channel had the decency to mention that the summer of 2001 was no different from any other year as far as shark incidents were concerned - basically during the credits, but at least it was said.

0 for 4...

Only focus of SharkWeek thus far has been attacks.

Discovery Channel's Shark Week Day of the Shark 2

I think I will not dive with sharks anymore - they are monsters and I am very afraid...that is the only effect that Discovery Channel's Shark Week has had on me. So far I have watched three episodes and the only thing I have seen is blood and heard "killer".

Day of the Shark 2 thoughts:

• Red / hungry / kill
• Neil H is a bad bowler
• Surfers are crazy - but I do respect them - they have a special relationship with the ocean and sharks - but they are still crazy for dangling on the surface
• Not one of the shows thus far would have been watched by my children (if I had any) way to graphic - no need to show the open wounds and do not have any educational value
  
• Have nothing to say about the shark cage breach except that one of the divers said he is "passionate about sharks" - then why did he release the footage. I think he is passionate about money and fame
• "Lethal eating machine" - poor sharks
• Bahamas and Florida must love all the good publicity that Discovery Channel is giving them
• I have to agree that hogfish is the best tasting fish - also the easiest to spear
• Surprised they filmed a hogfish dying on spear - whatever happen to "no animals were harmed during the..."
• Film a reef shark and call it a bull / several scenes talk about one shark but show a different species
• "But sometimes shark attack on purpose..." great line
• Pleased by the positive attitude of shark encounter victims
• I would have jumped in and pounded on a shark as well if Tibu (my dog) was in trouble. My dog's name is Tibu - short for Tiburon (shark in Spanish)
• But even dogs forgive sharks
• Navy SEAL was in "hand-to-hand" combat with shark - if anything hand-to-fin

0 for 3 Discovery Channel...

I am surprises that Febreze (Proctor and Gamble) is sponsoring Shark Week - why would they want to associate their brand with the gore? Product good to clean blood? Eliminate dead fish odors?

Discovery Channel Shark Week Deadly Waters

Last night on Discovery Channel's Shark Week was Deadly Waters hosted by Les Stroud - he travels the world and rates the 5 most dangerous places - shark-wise. My thoughts below:

• Starts with Les Stroud jumping from a helicopter on top of sharks, what a macho - nice way to "connect" with sharks...
• Stroud's monologue is dramatic, thin, and filled with stupid comments
• Surprised that Stuart Cove participated in segment - Caribbean Sea is 5th most dangerous place. On one hand Stuart Cove promotes shark diving, and on the other he adds to the shark porn...
• Neil Watson says that Caribbean Sharks are safe to dive with...Discovery says otherwise
• Great Whites in Caribbean - SERIOUSLY???
• Les Stroud is scared of sharks
• Make a chumsickle the size of a human and drive at the speed a human would swim to compare human and bait...WHAT?
• Segment on Florida was not filmed in Florida but in the Bahamas
• Experiment with shark to eat fish or prosthetic hand off stick - in clear water shark takes fish...in murky water (which was done by kicking up sand) - shark takes fish...then hand (after it was rubbed in fish oil - I have confirmation on this)

So far Shark Week is 0 for 2...

How can serious shark people be part of this show...don't get it...

Discovery Channel Shark Week Blood in the Water

So I am sitting here and have just watched the first 5 minutes of Discovery Channel's Shark Week first program - Blood in the Water - Jaws meets Gone With the Wind. Completely boring, lots of blood, bad production, horrible props...

They talk a lot about sharks killing people - little to no education...I guess I am going to turn it off...maybe tomorrow will be better...NOT - Survivor man and Tiger Beach - wonder if they stuffed dummies with fish again to get the Tigers to "attack".

Shark Week so far FAIL and living up to the shark porn...

Discovery Channel's Shark Week and Twitter

I had complete forgotten that today Shark Week starts - have set-up my DVR to record all the shows - the only reason I remember is that I was looking at my Tweetdeck and one of my search terms is "sharks". Noticed that there is a lot more chatter than normal today and after ready a few tweets it all came together.

People are saying all sort of things - some good some bad...here are some samples:

@stephanie1685: i love shark week!!!!! i dont know why cuz i hate sharks and scared to death f them

@SheenaLovesJB ik! i hate sharks with a passion! >.< @somuchunfortune It's so nice to see people getting their limbs chewed off by sharks. It makes me feel so much better. Thank you, Shark Week. @paigerags I'm upset with the portrayl of shark's in the SHARKWEEK commercials. Sharks are friends, not mindless eating machines. Not expecting much from Shark Week - mostly some Shark Porn - as the people at Discovery Channel themselves call it... Make up your own mind and check out twitter search for sharks.

Discovery's Shark Week 2009 Teasers

Just came across an interesting blog - The Dorsal Fin - not sure who is behind this but they are posting some interesting stories. One of the posts is about Discovery's Shark Week teaser on Youtube. I think once you see this you will not have any doubt where the network stands and how they are representing sharks as pure porn.

Spot reminds me very much of Jaws...and has only one purpose: FEAR.

Spear-fisher encounter with Caribbean Reef Shark

Caribbean Reef Shark, Bahamas, Photo by: Wolf Leander

CNN had a fairly "normal" piece on a recent shark incident involving a spear-fisher; reason I say normal is because I did not feel it anyway sensationalized the situation.

Watch the video here.

Essentially a spear-fisherman / guide takes other spear-fishermen on fishing trips in the Bahamas - one of these tourists panicked as shark got to close and decided to shoot shark in head - instigated an already potentially dangerous situation even more. Unfortunate for the guide that he got the worst of the aggression. Some thoughts:

• Diver panicked and shot shark - if you are not comfortable around sharks get out of the water (and if spearing...)
  
• Shark felt threatened and defended itself after diver attacked it
  
• Careful who you take into the water - specially in spear-fishing circumstances, need more OceanSmart people
• Neal Watson claims that Caribbean Reef sharks are "safe" while lemons are dangerous - WHAT? Caribbean Reef sharks can be like street dogs and in packs even bolder. I would rather be in the water with a Tiger Shark than a Reef (personal opinion - as are all other points above.
• A lot more potentially dangerous things happening in the Bahamian waters than the Tiger Beach
  

Happy ending - both spear-fisher guide and shark will live. Discovery - some more Shark Porn material for Shark Week 2010

Interview with Discovery Channel Executive Paul Gasek

About two weeks ago David from Southern Fried Science asked for readers to submit questions as he was going to interview Paul Gasek from the Discovery Channel in reference to Shark Week. Many questions and good questions were submitted...thank you, David, for the initiative.

I was pretty disheartened after reading Paul's answers to be very honest. Particularly by: "At Discovery Channel, we pride ourselves on telling compelling and accurate stories. Shark Week is no different." - sure you may say this was taken out of context - not to me.

Gasek did not answer David's question in reference to the fish stuffing of a dummy snorkeller to incite a shark to "attack" the dummy.

I do not see the Discovery Channel changing the programming of Shark Week anytime soon...

LONG LIVE SHARK PORN

Read the full interview here - curious as to what your thoughts are.

Call for questions for Discovery Channel Executive Paul Gasek Shark Week

David Shiffman, of Why Sharks Matter blog is asking our community for a "few good questions" to ask / interview Discovery Channel executive Paul Gasek:

----
As per David's post:

"The shark blog-o-sphere has been buzzing lately with calls for a boycott of the Discovery Channel over its portrayal of sharks in the famous “Shark Week” series. People are concerned that the sensationalized shark films gives sharks a bad name at a time when they most need our help.

Nearly every shark blogger I know has gotten involved"

As Wolfgang Leander at Oceanic Dreams says,

"sensationalistic portrayal of sharks on the yearly “Shark Week” programs is not to educate but to irrationally frighten the general public by using the “Jaws” stereotype presented as the true nature of these fabulous creatures of the oceans”

Patric at Underwater Thrills refers to falsely portraying sharks as violent and dangerous as “shark porn” , and proposes that he and other professional shark diving operators adopt a “contract for sharks” that stops these kinds of films from being made in the first place.

The Shark Safe Project posted a letter from one of their members calling on the Discovery channel to “Educate their viewers and not (B.S.) them”

Ila Porcher, another shark advocate, has even started an entire new blog just dedicated to this controversy called “Discovery’s Shame”.There is also a petition, which you can sign here if you’re interested. Her manifesto, which everyone else is circulating, can be found here.

----

Please post questions as comments on David's blog here.