5.10.07 

SEE THE WORLD IN GREEN AND BLUE… 

It’s been a lifetime since we checked in but it’s not been for lack of adventures.  Aaron has been around the world and back again since last fall.  Here’s a breakdown of what’s happened, what’s happening and what’s going to happen: 

Explorer Ventures Hi-Definition DVD

In December Aaron wrapped up production on the first of five assignments for Explorer Ventures.  From Saba to Statia to St. Kitts and back again, the Caribbean Explorer II proved to be a real treat. 

March had Aaron in the Bahamas aboard the Caribbean Explorer I, working on the second installment.  April began with Providenciales, to start filming aboard the Turks & Caicos Explorer II for a while.  In mid/late summer it’s back to Australia and then the mighty Galapagos Islands. 

The first hi-definition DVD in liveaboard diving, Aaron’s completed production for Explorer Ventures is slated for release in November 2007, debuting at DEMA in Orlando.   

Divers Down Television

After fair amount of hazing and more than a little sun, Aaron officially became a field producer and second-unit camera for DDTV.  His first installment – Episode 161’s Parker Boat Regatta feature – debuted last December to rave reviews and very high ratings.   

In late September, Aaron traveled with the Divers Down crew to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.  200 miles out to sea on Osprey Reef, on amphibious vehicles and on foot in the Karanda rainforest; you name it, we did it, and it’s going to make for some really good television.  Check your local listings for upcoming airdates.  Production exceeded everyone’s high expectations and this will be aired as a multi-episode series. 

In late April, Aaron traveled with the DDTV crew to Belize.  It’s amazing what those guys can cram into a week – eco-island cabanas, Mayan jungles, mangrove forests,  holding jaguars, corralling crocodiles, even getting charged by bull sharks at Gladden Split…  It’s always an adventure. 

North American-based productions are in the works, so as those get confirmed we’ll keep you posted.  As exciting and rewarding as shooting abroad can be, Aaron’s definitely looking forward to some locales that don’t involve passports and anti-malaria medication.

9.27.06


“THE KOOKABURRA SITS IN THE OLD GUM TREE…” 

With one episode’s shooting already under his belt, Aaron has officially joined the crew of Divers Down Television. We couldn’t be happier. Truth be told, we thought DDTV was a great show before Aaron jumped onboard….   

As part of the Divers Down traveling circus, Aaron will be traveling to Australia for the first time, diving the northern stretches of the Great Barrier Reef. He gets the question several times a day, so before you ask, yes – he’ll be careful with the wildlife. 

We feel a great loss with the passing of Steve Irwin, and Aaron considers it an honor to dive and film in the Croc Hunter’s homeland. Regardless of what you thought of his techniques, Steve Irwin was an ambassador for the ugly and venomous, for the misunderstood and feared wildlife all across our planet. Steve knew that these animals need the most protection, because they were the most at risk for being needlessly slaughtered out of ignorance. He was a true hero: passionate conservationist, naturalist, environmentalist, amazing media personality and most of all, he was a dedicated husband and father. We were lucky to have him as long as we did. Too soon, mate. Too soon.  

The fall looks to be busy as well – there are several expeditions on the books to be confirmed. There are even some opportunities to dive with Aaron as he works on different projects so stay tuned and inquire within!  

Aaron is in Australia from September 28th through October 15th, so be aware that communication will be sparse if at all. Make some popcorn and curl up on the couch with Animal Planet while he’s gone…

7.28.06

“…AND WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR VISIT, MR. FAULLS?” 
 
It has been several lunar cycles since the last batch of news, but luckily it’s because things have been hopping around Halfway Rock Media.   

When last we last left our hero (and we use that term oh-so loosely) Aaron was on his way to Tobago assisting photographer Ethan Gordon.  By all accounts it was a success, so much so that Tobago has become one of Aaron’s new favorite destinations.  A cool South American current teamed with nutrient rich runoff waters from the Orinoco River:  evidently this is the perfect recipe for breathtaking coral reefs and densely packed sea life.   

In addition to quasi-equatorial adventure, Aaron also made the rounds at the Long Beach Scuba Show in Long Beach, CA last month.  A few high-powered meetings and even more shots of Jagermeister yielded some new friends, new alliances and loads of opportunities. 

Still On Her Keel has premiered and continues to run on The Water Channel.  If you’re a Dish Network subscriber, make sure to check out their schedule for upcoming airings.  The full screening lineup has been announced for the Gray’s Reef Ocean Film Festival, and as it turns out, SOHK will be featured alongside the works of such visionaries as Stan Waterman and Kevin McCarey.  Way cool. 

Aaron also recently had the opportunity to work with one of his mentors, Mark Stanton, on Mark’s nationally syndicated show Divers Down Television.  He served as assistant  topside cameraman for an episode set in their own backyard, the Outer Islands of Boston Harbor. 

Aaron’s next excursion is also fairly close to home:  he’ll be working with the Underwater Education & Training Association on a 2-day shark diving trip off the coast of Rhode Island in August. This will be Aaron’s 3rd expedition of the sort, and his first with UETC. 

Oh, and dig this:  we’ve added a boatload of new media.  Head on over to Sound+Vision and browse the photo galleries.  While you’re there, check out some video highlights from some of Aaron’s recent adventures.  Eagle rays with no sense of personal space, seriously moody octopi, arrow crabs with grooming issues and a few ravenously hungry bar jacks – it’s all there. 

There have been some amazing things going on behind the scenes Halfway Rock Media, and although we’ve had to put several documentary projects on the backburner for (only!) the time being, the good news is that there are exciting opportunities and some pretty ridiculous adventures about to be confirmed.  The future is here -- your underwater video content isn’t going to be coming to you by just your cable provider or DVD player.  Stay tuned.  It’s going to be an exciting year. 



5.31.06

ARE YOU GOING TO SCARBOROUGH FAIR? 


Well, uh…kinda.  If that fair is underwater, then yes. 

Aaron was asked to assist world-famous underwater photographer Ethan Gordon on his expedition to the island of Tobago June 3rd-10th.  Picking up the boat from the town of Scarborough, Aaron and Ethan will working from the Wind Dancer on for the Tobago Department of Tourism.

DANKI, BONAIRE, DANKI. 


Another adventure that did not let us down at all - Bonaire never ceases to amaze.   
This was Aaron’s second trip to the island, and although we visited a few old friends (a particular south-end Eagle Ray comes to mind), this week offered several brand-new encounters  and more than a few surprises.  Charlie the resident tarpon-ganglord at Buddy Dive Resort gave us some high-energy night diving footage and several hundred yards south, Bari Reef’s excitement seemed limitless.  Octopi, huge morays, even yellowfin tuna (yes, you read that right!):  the only limit seemed to be the air on our backs. 

On this trip, Aaron partnered up with Dutch photographer Ino de Gisjel.  We’ll post some shots of our hero in action in the Sound + Vision area.  In addition, stay tuned for video clips.   

MAHALO, HAWAI’I, MAHALO. 


The lag in site updates reflects Aaron’s increasingly busy schedule, and no month so far has been as busy as April was. 

Hawaii was a complete success, and was Aaron’s first experience with tropical Pacific species.  Many new friends were made on some great dives off of the island’s Waianae coast.  We’d like to highly recommend doing your diving with Deep Ecology while you’re on Oahu.  They run their dive shop and charter services the way the entire scuba industry should be run:  environment first. 

We’ve posted a small video clip from our adventure – an Eagle Ray up close an personal - in the Sound + Vision section.

4.9.06



STILL ON HER KEEL WINS AT SUNDEIS

We’re pleased to announce that Still On Her Keel won its first award Sunday night at the SunDeis Film Festival, taking home the honor of Best Documentary Feature.  Cinematographer Ryan Nelsen – who contributed a great deal of the topside camera work to Still On Her Keel – also took home the award for Best Cinematography for his work on director Yari Wolinky’s The Wolf. 

HAWAI’I O’HANA

Aaron will be diving and filming in Hawaii throughout the next week.  He is also a celebrity guest at the KPOI-FM-sponsored Walk For MS, and two lucky contest winners will get the chance to accompany him on Thursday’s dives.  A full report when he gets back…