Productions

Whales Die, Zombies Dance (in protest)
(2010)

Zombies dancing to protest whales dying and getting sick from consuming plastic debris? Yes it happens. Dance 4 Oceans is a dance group with an environmental message:
plastic is harmful to marine life. Michael Jackson’s Thriller is used in parody, where by the zombies are converted to “Plastic Trash Zombies” and emerge from the ocean draped in plastic trash, to dance in public to protest the many whale deaths in recent years caused by ingesting plastic debris, like shopping bags, drifting in the sea.

The World Ocean “Trashed”
(2009)

Working with the X-Prize Foundation, Bill Macdonald went on to further define the marine debris issue. Narrated by Lena Morlando of X-Prize, the film outlines just how critical the marine debris issue is. The World Ocean “Trashed” won an award (2010) for “production excellence” at NOAA’s Grays Reef Nation Marine Sanctuary Ocean Film Festival in Savana, GA. There is also a short version (3.5 minutes)

“The Pelagic Plastic Plague”
(2009)

The world ocean in being increasingly contaminated by marine debris that disrupts the food chain. In addition plasticizers used as softeners in manufacturing plastics, are now ubiquitous in the environment and can lead to endocrine disruption in high trophic level feeders like swordfish, whales, mahi mahi, and dolphins.

“Thalassa – Manado PADI 5 Star Resort”
(2008)

Thalassa – Manado is a world class diver training facility in North Sulawesi, Indonesia that dives Bunaken National Park and the Lembeh Straits. It’s a warm atmosphere where you arrive as a guest and leave as a friend. Critter diving on the Bunaken-Sulawesi coast offers unique finds of mini frog fishes and colorful nudibranchs.

“Fish Capital of the World”
(2008)

Somewhere the ocean is at its most biodiverse and healthy. In Fish Capital of the World a key location is documented by Bill Macdonalds’ camera in 2007 in a location known as Kri Island, Raja Ampat. Here the ocean is prolific with fish of diverse varieties all together in one location. There are also new species of pigmy sea horses to discover and explore for…. a virtual bucket list location.

“Mar Syntetico”
(2007)

Spanish version of Synthetic Sea with updated visuals. Popular in Latin America and Spain on YouTube.

“The Synthetic Sea Story”
(2006)

A full 30 minute retrospective on the marine debris issue. The program documents extended work by the Algalta Marine Research Foundation to quantify the buildup of synthetic debris originating from urban run-off. Key researchers are interviewed with the understanding that studying the impacts to the food chain is vital. Gender bending toxins that migrate out of plastic trash is causing endocrine disruption that could impact the human ability to reproduce.

“Pindito 2006”
(2006)

This updated production depicts diving in the biodiversity bulls-eye of Raja
Ampat, Indonesia. Access this amazing region of Indonesia from Pindito a 42 meter, 245 ton Phinisi schooner built by Edi Frommenwiler in 1992. Pindito boasts a skilled crew of 20 including the dive masters with decades of experience operating in the region.

“Watershed Wonders”
(2005)

An educational program produced in association with the Algalita Marine Research Foundation. Watershed Wonders follows water as it flows from mountains to the sea. Dr Marcus Ericksen guides the students to understand what happens to water quality as it flows through communities and salt marshes. Watershed Wonders is formatted to California curriculum for jr and senior high schools. Watershed Wonders is distributed free of charge thanks to a grant from the American Honda Foundation.

“Yap:’Be Prepared for Anything!'”
(2005)

Yap Divers and the Manta Ray Bay Hotel have developed an outstanding Manta Ray diving experience unlike anywhere else in the world. Here resident manta rays congregate at their favorite sites,

the Goofnuw and Mi’l channels. But there’s more underwater in Yap than “guaranteed” mantas. Yap has excellent mandarine fish sites, macro subjects, and a thrilling shark experience. The lush island of Yap is steeped in history and mystifying lore like huge stone money banks. Ancient Yapese traditions are still taught to all children, since the islanders are determined to ensure that their culture does not succumb to western civilization.

“Studying Plastic Debris from Pacific Pyre”
(2005)

How do you process a trawl sample and get accurate scientific results? Since there is so much plastic debris pollution in Americas waterways, this program shows how to work-up a trawl sample in the laboratory. Produced in association with the Algalita marine Research Foundation, the program follows a step by step procedure to “work-up” scientific samples. Dr Marcus Eriksen indoctrinates the viewers not only how to be efficient in the laboratory, but how to reflect on the very nature of science.

“Pindito”
(2004)

Travel to the bio-diverse seas of Indonesia’s Raja Ampat Archipelago with Pindito Captain Edi Frommenweiler, a 15 year dive-veteran of this key region. Raja Ampat is known as the epicenter for marine bio-diversity in the entire world ocean. The program follows Captain Edi, a skilled cinematographer, as he captures the heart of the region with his camera. Cave diving, and revealing marine life species new to western science is the focus of this program.

“Best of Both Worlds”
(2004)

Eco Divers operates two, land based dive resorts in N Sulawesi, Indonesia. Kungkungan Bay Resort has been recognized as the world’s best destination for “critter diving” and has long been popular with photographers seeking the best in macro subjects. Tasik Ria Resort is located nearby and specializes in diving the Bunaken marine reserve near Manado which has wall diving and thriving reefs. Visitors can select their ideal dive environment or experience the “Best of Both Worlds” and split their holiday between the two resorts. The program captures the excitement of both locations.

“Adventure Komodo”
©2003
(6 minutes) see preview

Cruise to the Raja Ampat Islands in Irian Jaya, thought to be the richest marine habitat in the world. See the Komodo Dragon in its natural habitat and dive remote atolls aboard the luxurious Adventure Komodo with its Cordon Blue chef and wine cellar.

“Dive Asia Pacific 2003”
see preview

Dive Asia Pacific 2003 captures the Pelagian experience, a live-aboard dive vessel. This 115 foot well appointed yacht is one of the most luxurious in the South Pacific with a long history of exquisite diving in remote atolls.

“Our Synthetic Sea”
©2002 ORV/Alguita / BMP
(22 minutes)

Our Synthetic Sea is an expansion the 9-minute Synthetic Sea program that includes the California coast and watershed. The Pacific Gyre region is revisited with divers equipped with underwater video cameras to document the mid-ocean pelagic sea creatures and how some are

infested with plastic particles. In addition, the film also documents plastic fragments ingested by fledgling Albatross in Hawaii’s remote Coral Reserve, a formerly pristine region

now heavily contaminated with plastic debris.

“Behemoths of Catalina”
©2002 BMP / AMRF
(6 minutes)

Giant Black Sea Bass (Stereolepis gigas) have made a recovery after being protected

in California waters. The result has been the re-establishment of the giant fish in known locations, providing an opportunity for divers to experience, up close these gentle giants. Filmed by Bill Macdonald, and produced as a BMP donation to the educational outreach of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation.

“Synthetic Sea: Plastic in the Open Ocean”
(March 2001) see preview