Oceans Below Koh Tao

Oceans Below Pro Video Trainer Wins Australasia Underwater Video Shoot-Out!

Written by Administrator

Tuesday, 13 December 2011 10:49

While on holiday in Holland, Oceans Below Pro Underwater Underwater Video Trainer, Elisabeth, found out that one of her short movies won the top two prizes in the in the Australasia Underwater Video Shoot-Out! The rules required all video to be shot over an 8 day period between the 1st-10th of September (so, no stock footage), and that it be no longer than 5 minutes in length. Elisabeth's movie- Secrets of the Sand (see here), gained the Best of Show award as well as the Best Narrated Movie award!

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Elisabeth filming a huge Green Sea Turtle in Bunaken, Indonesia

Elisabeth was especially lucky to be able to film these Flamboyant Cuttlefish mating

It was a great way to welcome the low season on Koh Tao as she immediately cashed in the top prize- a 2 week stay at Eco Divers Resorts in Manado and Lembeh Island Sulawesi, Indonesia! She informs us that it was a magical two weeks of diving where she was able to capture some fantastic footage of some of the area's incredible creatures. It seemed that she was lucky enough to gain HD underwater footage of Mimic Octopus mating as well as mating Flamboyant Cuttlefish! In addition, she informs us that she filmed Hairy Frogfish, Ambon Scorpionfish, Coconut (Veined) Octopus, a variety of Cockatoo Waspfish, seahorses and loads more...

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Filming in Bunaken, Indonesia

Coconut Octopus at night in Lembeh

We're so proud of the work she has done and look forward to seeing what she comes up with next. Special thanks to Christian, Cary and all the staff at Eco Divers!

It seems that she will soon be cashing in her second prize- a 10 day all expenses paid dive trip to Yap, Micronesia! Well done Elisabeth!

Oceans Below's New TV and Music Projects!

Written by Elisabeth

Saturday, 04 February 2012 19:22

Koh Tao Oceans Below began 2012 by agreeing a new collaboration with the music label Aqualise. Headed by the talented Nicolas Bulostin, Aqualise is the very first record label in the world dedicated to protecting the oceans by creating awareness and donating to non-profit marine wildlife conservation and environmental organizations. Nicolas produces some amazing music and we create and edit underwater videos for it. Check out our latest product on http://www.aqualise.com/ or click here.

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Over the low season we also worked with BSAC Thailand and Man TV Thailand on a new series about scuba diving called Black Water. The aim of the show is to promote diving to the local Thais. We provided 80% of the underwater footage used in the show. Click here to view the first episode of Black Water by Man TV & BSAC Thailand.

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Here at Koh Tao Oceans Below, our pro video team is committed to helping promote awareness and protection of the environment which inspires us, and we're proud to be partners with like-minded groups. We look forward to continue working with these and other conservation groups in the future...

Koh Tao BSAC Pro Video Course Update...

Written by Elisabeth

Tuesday, 24 January 2012 16:04

High season has fully kicked in for the Oceans Below video team at Sairee Beach! Pro Videographer Instructor, Lisa, and I are busy teaching our 3 new BSAC Professional HD Underwater Videographer students. On the 16th of January Yaya from China, and Simon and Nancy from the UK, started the course. Now, one week in, and all 3 seem to be naturals with a camera.

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Sawtooth Shrimp on Koh Tao

Simon, a professional photographer, worked in Australia for a year as a PADI Divemaster in Byron Bay before he decided to come to Thailand to learn the art of underwater video. He is currently working on his dry project about Koh Tao in time-lapse and has already filmed some amazing sunsets!

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Pro Underwater Video Trainee- Simon...

Nancy D's creative and innovative brain has made us laugh many times. Her movies are definitely inspired by certain Disney movies! We're entertained with her story lines of fish living happily ever after in each of her underwater movies.

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Pro Underwater Video Trainee- Nancy D(izzy)...

Yaya, a director for a travel show in China, is on Koh Tao this time to do the 2-week BSAC course but will hopefully come back to us to do his Documentary Internship. His computer skills are amazing and we have seen a couple of clever edits of his HD underwater footage already.

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Pro Underwater Video Trainee- Yaya...

Tomorrow morning Lisa and I have planned a little excursion for the trainees. We are going to hike up to Fraggle Rock, a stunning view point at the South of the island, before heading back to the office to finish their dry projects. In the coming days we will focus mainly on macro-shooting underwater and editing their show reels. We can't wait to see the results!

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