4 x tanks for film production, 8 weeks.
1.2 million litres total
Filmed in Docklands, Melbourne in April 2024, using both the permanent 900000 litre pit and three custom steel tanks. The custom tanks were designed to hold three different cave set designs, whereas the pit was used for open water scenes.
Being indoors in Melbourne, all four water bodies had to be heated to ensure actors, SFX, and stunt crews could work in the water for up to 12 hours per day. Both large commercial and domestic heat pumps were installed to manage the water temperature.
The biggest headache on this project was the deterioration of the sets. Being made to look like caves, a lot of mud was used, which, when combined with the agitation of the water, meant that at the end of a shoot day, the water was brown and murky. Often, after the shoot wrapped for the day, we would need to drain and refill the smaller tanks from the pit overnight. Properly planning and managing this water movement was critical to keeping the shoot progressing without delay. By keeping the pit water hot and clean, we were able to use this water to feed into the smaller tanks. By feeding in hot, balanced, clean water, there was no delay while we waited to heat the newly refilled tanks.
Upon completion, the tanks were drained and the filtration equipment was removed and stored for future projects.
