Protecting our oceans
From the beginning, our goal was to create a story with a positive impact.
Though the oceans face many challenges, we've chosen to focus on one critical issue: ghost fishing.
ghost fishing
The phenomenon where abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear continues to trap and kill marine life. This gear can include nets, lines, traps, and pots. Once lost or abandoned, these items can remain in the ocean for years, continuing to catch fish, seabirds, turtles, and other marine animals. The trapped animals can't escape and eventually die, leading to a cycle of continual death and waste. Ghost fishing not only devastates marine life but also disrupts ecosystems and depletes fish stocks.
Credit: Oliver Ridley Project
oliveridleyproject.org
Ghost nets are a major contributor to the ocean plastics crisis. Most modern nets are made of nylon or other plastic compounds that can last for centuries. According to a 2018 study in Scientific Reports, ghost nets make up at least 46 percent of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Credit: www.worldwildlife.org
how is THE FILM helping?
A New Audience: Environmental documentaries and news stories are vital for sharing information with the public and raising awareness about new issues. However, it is often the same demographic of viewers seeking this kind of information. A narrative feature film promises to reach a fresh audience who wouldn’t normally learn about ocean protection.
Rating: To secure the broadest possible audience for this message, we're aiming for a 12 rating. While the film will feature moments of violence and gore, these will be carefully crafted to avoid crossing into the extreme. Much like the primal fear of the deep ocean, nothing is more terrifying than what remains unknown and unseen.
This approach, however, won’t compromise the film’s intensity or impact. We're committed to delivering a gripping and terrifying experience that stays true to the genre. The following successful horror films, all rated 12 (PG-13), demonstrate how powerful this approach can be:
Partnerships: We have partnered with Neptune’s Pirates (formerly known as Sea Shepherd) and Surfers Against Sewage to create a larger platform for sharing our film and raising awareness about protecting our seas. Neptune’s Pirates is actively involved in a ghostnet campaign with a boat stationed off the coast of Yorkshire, tasked with retrieving lost and discarded fishing gear. They have generously offered us this vessel for our filming purposes. We have also made plans with Surfers Against Sewage to tour the film around coastal towns in the UK, hosting screenings and Q&A sessions to enhance awareness about marine debris
A Subtle Approach: Documentaries and news coverage are extremely vital for environmental causes, but in addition to the up-front, face-value information they provide, we believe it’s important to reach audiences with more subtle messaging as well. Some audiences tune out when they are being told about world issues. However, They Came From Below serves its core message as the primary theme underscoring the story. It’s not in your face; it’s a realisation that audiences will come to themselves.
want to learn more?
will@qualiafilmco.com
+447807785121