SCENE 01 / UNDERWATER CAMERA OPERATORS
Underwater Filming Services
Certified underwater cinematography for marine, pool, and aquatic productions across New York.
Underwater camera operators blend pro dive certification with cinema camera skill to capture footage below the surface. In New York, our operators work the Hudson River, Long Island Sound, and the top studio tanks at Steiner Studios Brooklyn and Silvercup Studios. The result is clean controlled and open-water visuals on every brief.
We connect you with certified underwater camera pros who know New York's varied waters. Our operators handle harbor sequences and controlled tank work at Brooklyn's Steiner Studios, and they know the city's water permit rules well. Each shoot gets waterproof housing, lighting, safety divers, and logistics, so your underwater sequences come back captured safely.
Capabilities
Underwater Production Solutions
From Atlantic coast marine cinematography to controlled pool environments, we deliver professional underwater footage with safety and cinematic quality as priorities.
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Ocean & Sea
- Atlantic coast filming
- Atlantic coast production
- Marine wildlife documentation
- Shipwreck cinematography
- Coastal underwater sequences
Marine Excellence
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Pool & Tank
- Controlled pool environments
- Studio tank filming
- Fashion and commercial
- Music video production
- Athlete performance capture
Controlled Settings
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Narrative Production
- Feature film sequences
- TV drama underwater scenes
- Stunt coordination support
- Actor safety management
- Surface-to-underwater shots
Cinematic Storytelling
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Commercial & Corporate
- Product underwater shots
- Tourism promotion
- Sports equipment demos
- Spa and wellness content
- Aquatic brand campaigns
Brand Content
On Location
Certified underwater DPs working NYC tanks, coastline, and harbor
Underwater camera work in New York pairs certified commercial-grade dive ops with cinema camera packages. Each rig holds focus, exposure, and colour science through housings rated to production-shooting depths. Our ops carry PADI Divemaster or Instructor cards alongside SSI and NAUI commercial credentials. They add ANSI/ACDE-aligned commercial diving qualifications where the brief calls for it, plus DAN insurance written against NYC commercial diving rules and OSHA scientific-diver standards. Locations span the Steiner Studios Brooklyn Navy Yard tank used on Stranger Things, Mrs. Maisel.
The work also covers Severance underwater sequences and Silvercup Queens controlled-water facilities. We shoot Hudson River and East River harbor sequences that need NYPD Harbor Unit and US Coast Guard planning, Long Island Sound shoreline shoots, and Montauk and Hamptons commercial-and-fashion ocean work. We also handle controlled hotel and rooftop pool settings across Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Camera bodies route through TCS, AbelCine, and ARRI Rental NY into Gates, Aquatica, Nauticam, and Hydroflex housings. These fit the ARRI Alexa Mini LF, RED Komodo and V-Raptor, Sony Venice 2, and FX6 bodies. Each rig carries calibrated dome ports, surface-to-camera comms, and underwater Atomos monitor feeds for director and DP review.
Productions brief us on many shoots: a Brooklyn Navy Yard tank sequence at Steiner, a Hudson River barge underwater establisher under MOME film permit, a Long Island Sound spear-fishing documentary, a Montauk surf-brand commercial, a Manhattan rooftop pool fashion shoot, or a controlled-water actor scene with non-diving talent. Each one gets a logged dive plan, risk assessment, and surface-support schedule before call.
Our coordinators assign certified safety divers in 2:1 minimum ratios and run pre-dive briefings against industry standards. When depth profiles call for it, they keep hyperbaric chamber standby contacts at NYU Langone and Jacobi Medical. For harbor and East River work, the team coordinates with NYPD Harbor Unit, FDNY Marine Operations, and US Coast Guard Sector New York. Above-surface dive-bay HMI light is backed by underwater LED packages from Keldan, Light & Motion, and SeaLife rigs, plus ARRI SkyPanel arrays mounted overhead on Steiner tank rigging. Insurance covers the rig, the divers, and the talent under NYS Film Tax Credit-aligned production cover. We prepare the records wherever the production qualifies for the 30%-plus-10% NYC uplift under one lined-up contract.
FAQ
Professional Underwater Operations
What certifications do your underwater operators hold?
Our underwater camera operators hold pro PADI, CMAS, or equal certifications that match the filming depths and conditions. Many also carry pro dive shooting cards plus HSE or equal commercial diving credentials for tough shoots.
What camera systems can you use underwater?
We run underwater housings for ARRI Alexa Mini, RED Komodo/V-Raptor, Sony Venice/FX6, and Blackmagic cameras. The right housing depends on your camera package, the features you need, and the working depth. Our team also uses dedicated underwater cinema cameras when a brief calls for them.
Can you film with actors underwater?
Yes. We work with trained water safety coordinators and coach actors for underwater work. Non-diving actors can film in controlled shallow water with safety divers close by. Tough underwater stunts need dedicated planning and a clear safety plan.
What locations in New York are suitable for underwater filming?
New York offers varied underwater filming spots: the Atlantic coast for varied conditions and marine life, the Atlantic coast for dramatic conditions, lakes and rivers for freshwater work, and many studio tanks and pools for controlled shoots.
How do you handle underwater lighting?
We use dedicated underwater LED and HMI lights in waterproof housings. For pool and tank work, above-water lighting can reach down well. Deep or murky water needs its own underwater lighting package, which we plan during pre-production.
What are the safety requirements for underwater filming?
All underwater work needs risk assessments, dive plans, certified safety divers, surface support, and emergency steps. We follow New York diving rules and film industry safety standards on every shoot. Tough sequences may also need a hyperbaric chamber on standby.
Related Services
Productions in New York that need this often pair it with Steadicam & Gimbal Operators, Director of Photography Services, and Multi-Camera Shoots for full coverage. Most projects also draw on Underwater Lighting and Camera & Cinematography.
On Set
Plan Your Underwater Production
Tell us about your underwater sequences and we'll coordinate certified operators, equipment, and safety planning.