We are excited to announce that our very first Feature Production,

“The Next Chapter”

is now complete and on the International Film Festival Circuit.

(You can view the Trailer at the end of this article.)

With this production, we wanted to reach as wide an audience as possible, by weaving multiple true stories into one epic adventure. Taking the viewer through the pains and triumphs of the characters involved, while generating intrigue, compassion and hopefully stimulating a thirst for more information.

All this, while learning about aspects of our global history, that are not common knowledge, and a pending environmental disaster, that very few people are aware of. Our aim is to lead the viewer from the terrors of WW2 in the Pacific, right up to today, providing numerous 'feel good' moments and a clear understanding of the looming environmental time bomb, that we are all sitting on.

The initial inspiration came from a very good friend of ours, Tom Campbell, who was returning to Truk Lagoon (now called Chuuk) in Micronesia for the 21st time, to dive and film, and he suggested that we join him there.

We immediately started researching the destination and found that it was not only drenched in a wealth of WW2 history, but that there were a multitude of valuable stories linked to the Atoll, not the least of which, was Tom's life story and his relationship with Truk Lagoon and Kimiuo Aisek, who opened the very first dive shop there.

In no time at all, it became clear that we could put a ensemble of amazing true stories together, all linked by a single horrific event, 'Operation Hailstone'.

This would be a collection of tails that could appeal to a wide audience, incorporating elements of historical importance, human interest, conservation and a looming environmental disaster.

With a VERY rough story line in mind, and a handful of interviews set up, we flew into Truk just months before the COVID 19 Pandemic brought the world to a grinding halt.

Needing topside, audio, underwater and aerial filming gear, AND all our dive equipment, we were heavily loaded, over 130kg all in. Needless to say, there was next to no space for clothing.

After 3 weeks in Truk, and having 3 hours of interviews, 45 minutes of aerial videography and more than 40 hours underwater, filming on and inside many of the ship wrecks, the ‘on location’ portion of the production was complete, and we headed home to South Africa, shortly before COVID lock-down.

Let me stress at this point, that I am not a writer or story teller, so the the next big challenge, was the daunting task of weaving five true tales into a coherent storyboard.

The 36 months that followed, were dedicated to research and cross referencing multiple platforms and sources, remastering hundreds of old black and white images and archive footage, including post production work on them, and corresponding with companies, organizations and foundations from all around the world.

Finally, all the needed elements were in hand and an entire wall in our Cape Town home office was covered with a 2 x 4 meter graphic representation of the productions 94 year timeline, from the 1930 to 2024, and the board was littered with luminous yellow sticky notes with story elements, that moved around regularly.

But it worked, we think, and the combined mosaic started falling into place.

—-

There being no budget to speak of, narration was the next key stumbling block and we eventually settled on an AI voice that was affordable and came close to our expectations. But you do get what you pay for, and it then took a further eight weeks of coaching the software to try and get the AI to sound more human.

(Here is a short sample of the AI narrator, just click on the Play arrow)

Finally, to the edit and general post production work, which took a further 11 months, ultimately getting “The Next Chapter” in the can, at just over 112 minutes long, after more than 4 years of hard work.

We once again extend a BIG THANK YOU to the interviewees, who so gracefully shared their time and personal stories, adding their valuable voices to the production. We are also indebted to the people, agencies, companies and organizations that were so willing to assist with historic information and images, that helped to bring these true events to life.

Tom Campbell - Beth & Us with Gradvin & Tryvin after the shoot .jpg

Special thanks to..

Tom Campbell and Beth Davidow for their participation, guidance and inspiration.

Gradvin Aisek, Tryvin Aisek, Advin Aisek, Ansauo Remis and Jerome Serios from The Blue Lagoon Dive Center and Resort, for their participation.

Kiyoshi Inoue, Maki Massahiko and Norio Kaneko from Japan Mine Action Service team (JMAS) for their participation.

Japan's National Institute of Polar Research, Paul Heersink, Tim Rock, Dr D Strong, Dennis Coffman, Japanese Museum of Maritime Science and the Nippon Foundation, for the supply of information, archive images/video, and access to relevant database.

—-

“The Next Chapter” will spend 12 to 18 months on the Global Film Festival Circuit and we will keep you posted.

So,

without further delay …

go full screen ….

best quality ….

and crank up the volume ……

because HERE is the Trailer…..

Directed, Written, Edited, Sound design, Post production, maps & Graphics
Russ van Aardt
—-
Cinematographers
Russ van Aardt
Barbara van Aardt
Tom Campbell
Beth Davidow
—-
Sound recordist, Planning & Logistics
Barbara van Aardt