Off the Fence Productions has announced two new films for National Geographic Channels International that will show never-before-seen shark behaviour. The two 1x60” HD specials entitled Sharkville and Secret Shark Pits consolidate Off the Fence’s reputation for producing innovative factual programming and follow other recent collaborations with NGCI including the 13-part series Monkey Thieves. The two new specials will premiere in December.
In Sharkville, co-produced with Obsessively Creative, zoologist Ryan Johnson uses cutting-edge camera technology to capture extraordinary great white shark behaviour never before seen on television. Following three sharks for more than 100 consecutive hours, the documentary captures for the first time on film, great white sharks breaching on the kill at night. Like most predators, great whites require some light to attack their prey, making their ability to hunt after nightfall even more impressive. Living only a kilometre away from popular local beaches in Mossel Bay, South Africa, these great whites make up one of the largest resident populations known to science.
Secret Shark Pits delves deep beneath the surface of the Indian Ocean to highlight unusual shark behaviour that defies common conceptions of shark interactions. Inexplicably drawn to underwater caves, dozens of blacktail reef sharks gather together, bearing a closer resemblance to a shoal of sardines than intimidating sharks known for spectacular threat displays when attacked or cornered. Mauritian diver Hugues Vitry leads a daring expedition to capture this phenomenon on camera and uncover the mysteries behind this unique shark social structure.
Joe Kennedy, Creative Director for Off the Fence says, “Both films are ambitious ideas that push the boundaries both creatively and technically. These documentaries exemplify OTF’s commitment to producing innovative exciting programmes and National Geographic Channel offers the perfect platform for us.”
Sydney Suissa, Executive Vice President of Content for NGCI adds, “National Geographic has a tradition of outstanding wildlife programming that broadens our understanding of the most powerful species in the animal kingdom. Sharkville and Secret Shark Pits continue this legacy, capturing amazing footage of shark behaviour that redefines the way we see this intimidating and largely misunderstood predator”.
Sharkville is an Off the Fence and Obsessively Creative production for National Geographic Channels International. The documentary was produced by Stefania Muller and executive produced by Ellen Windemuth for Off the Fence. For NGCI, Executive Vice President of Content is Sydney Suissa.
Secret Shark Pits is an Off the Fence and Talking Pictures production in association with the RETOSA (Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa) initiative. The documentary was produced by Garth Lucas and written and directed by Joe Kennedy for Off the Fence Productions. For NGCI, Executive Vice President of Content is Sydney Suissa.
