Ross Isaacs Interview

Emmy nominated cinematographer, Ross Isaacs has over thirty years experience as an underwater photographer, cinematographer and film maker. He has produced a number of books and documentary films on whales.

Ross’ home base is Port Douglas in far North Queensland, Australia, adjacent to the most spectacular locations on the Great Barrier Reef. His experience includes major features films, television drama, nature documentaries, as well as television commercials.

Originally conceiving this film on humpback whales, since 2001 he has completed many expeditions to Hawaii and Alaska to shoot this project. Specializing in natural history, He has worked with some prestigious organizations such as National Geographic Television and BBC Natural History Unit, and has sold his own documentary films in over 50 countries. He brings a special understanding of the main subject of this film.

[IG] Ross, thanks for sharing your experiences with Impulse Gamer. The question on our minds that we would love to be answered is… how did you get into underwater photographer? This could be a dream job for some, however I’m sure that the work can be quite difficult at times.

[Ross] I have always had a fascination for what lives below the surface of the oceans and photography is one way of bringing the treasures back from under the surface to share with people above.

[IG] You’ve filmed animals from around the world, what is your favourite place where you like to film? And do you have a favourite species?

[Ross] I absolutely love the outer Great Barrier Reef for variety and the extraordinary spectacle of life. I recently got to film some of the strange organisms which live underwater in South East Alaska.

[IG] What do you believe your greatest achievement is?

[Ross] For me producing “Humpbacks- From Fire to Ice” has been one of the most wonderful journey’s and perhaps my most fulfilling achievement.

[IG] Could you tell us what an average day of filming involves?

[Ross] On an average day we are usually involved in preparation of equipment and positioning the crew to best film the subjects.

[IG] In terms of an average day filming “on set”, how much time do you spend underwater?

[Ross] I would spend probably 20% of the time underwater depending on where and what we are filming.

[IG] What are some of the dangers that you have encountered while filming underwater?

[Ross] Dangers are usually created by our inexperience with the task at hand such as when we use new complex breathing equipment like the closed circuit rebreather.

[IG] Have you ever been threatened by the wildlife that you have filmed?

[Ross] Rarely have I been threatened by the animals I am filming except if you push the boundaries and try to interact to closely there by creating stress for the animal which we try to minimize.

[IG] Could you inform us of some of the highlights of your career?

[Ross] One highlight of my career was to work with David Attenborough who is generous as he is inspiring.

[IG] What were your thoughts and emotions when you first came across a whale?

[Ross] I was extremely focused when I had my first encounters with whales and tried to remain calm to get the shot with my camera.

[IG] How did you come up with the premise behind Humpbacks from Fire to Ice?

[Ross] I had been filming humpback whales in Hawaii and it seemed like the obvious story line to follow their full migration from the volcanoes in Hawaii to the icy waters of Alaska and back again.

[IG] With your history with wildlife, do you believe that mankind can stem the damage they have created? Will whales still be seen in 100 years from now?

[Ross] Human kind have to try and live more harmoniously with nature if we want to sustain the environment into the future…I worry that some species my be threatened and may not be here for our grand children in a 100 years.

[IG] What is your favourite moment from Humpbacks from Fire to Ice?

[Ross] My favorite moment was when I got to film a singing whale. I was down 25 meters and it was just me and the lone whale which was booming out this extraordinary sound totally engulfing my body with noise.

[IG] In Humpbacks from Fire to Ice, you follow a whale calf, how did you manage this extraordinary feat?

[Ross] Over time we got to know individual whale and filmed them in both Hawaii and Alaska.

[IG] Was the calf named by your team and if so, was there a meaning to this name?

[Ross] We named the female calf Kai which means ocean in Hawaiian.

[IG] With thousands of humpback whales arriving in these tropical islands, how did they react to human presence?

[Ross] Some whales are inquisitive but most go about their daily routine ignoring our presence as long as the boats stayed the regulated distance from the whales.

[IG] Is it possible to compare whales to humans in relation to how they interact with each other?

[Ross] Whale like human all seem to have different personalities. In Hawaii they are mainly seen in competitive groups of males trying to get into the primary escort position next to the female. We also see lots of mother calf pairs which have a very close maternal bond.

[IG] What does the future hold for Ross Isaacs?

[Ross] I have a few films on the drawing board which have a focus on global climate change in relation to the ocean.

[IG] Thanks for your time and good luck for the future. Humpbacks From Fire to Ice is available at all good DVD stores.

Andrew Bistak, Editor