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Monsters
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Monsters, a new film exposing the truth of shark culling by Skyler Thomas
‘Monsters' is a follow-up to the award-winning documentary Great White Lies. Monsters takes a more focused approach to the topic of culling by examining one animal in particular that is affected by shark culling, the tiger shark. Ultimately, after concluding that animals are being killed and ecosystems destroyed for nothing more than placebo affect, the film asks who the real monsters are. The film hopes to connect with viewers with a combination of emotional appeal and scientific backing
Emotional engagement
Because of their population distribution, tiger sharks are affected at every culling location on the globe. The numbers of tiger sharks caught and killed each year at these locations is staggering. But statistics alone don’t sway emotions. This film opens with monologues of three different animals speaking to the audience as they slowly die in shark mitigation devices (nets and hooks). This includes a humpback whale, common dolphin, and a tiger shark.
Monsters intends to re-introduce tiger sharks to the audience by changing them from just another big fish we’ve been taught to fear, to the beautiful, crucial members of the ecosystem that they are. Through interviews with experts who work with tiger sharks on a daily basis we have the opportunity to not only stop seeing these predators as monsters, but even as individuals. Lined up to appear in the film speaking about tiger sharks are Andy Brandy Casagrande, Jim Abernethy, Joe Romeiro, Eli Martinez, and Deborah and Vincent Canabal. I am currently working on securing Shawn Heinrichs (of Racing Extinction) to also appear in the film.
In summary, these "big names" of the shark world are not only meant to share their stories, but to attract attention to the film purely by their involvement. The footwork has already been done by the film director in setting up these interviews, but the accomplishing the interviews requires a budget.
Scientific engagement
The interviews and accompanying footage of the shark dive experts helps the audience appreciate the tiger shark and look at this animal in a new way. But the science is the real core of the film:
Shark biologist, Safia Maher, has just completed the first study of its kind comparing the genetic diversity of Australia’s east coast population of tiger sharks to the west coast population. The study seems to indicate that shark culling and other pressures on tiger shark populations on the east coast (that do not exist in the same capacity on the west coast) have had a significant impact on the species and could possibly even affect the the species ability for long term survival.
Status - Safia and Skyler worked together for the film Great White Lies and Safia has agreed to appear in monsters, explaining her research.
On the cape coast of South Africa, Sarah Andreotti has just finished a similar study with white sharks, with an alarming indication that the genetic diversity is so depleted the population’s long term survival may already be in jeopardy. Despite being a protected species in South Africa, the government organization, Natal Sharks Board, continues to cull sharks in the middle of a major migration path for many species of animal, including tiger shark and white sharks.
Status - Sarah and Skyler have been in contact, but she may be restricted by a film agreement her sponsor is involved with. Waving some $$ at her boss could change things.
On the northeast coast of South Africa, shark biologist Jessica Escobar has removed herself from the organization Natal Sharks Board after learning the truth about their organization. it is very rare for scientists to be brave enough to speak out against an organization, but Jessica did it. Combined with an interview Skyler Thomas conducted with the communications office at Natal Sharks Board, we have some very hard evidence that their organization is money driven, not safety driven.
Adding their knowledge to the scientific aspect of this film are Dr. Chris Lowe , Prof Jessica Mueewig, and Dr. Neil Hammerschlag whom Skyler has already conducted interviews with. Post production and audio cleanup are the biggest expenses for the existing interviews, although Chris Lowe’s interview should be reshot.
Summary
With both heartwarming and heartbreaking footage combined with solid facts from researchers, 'Monsters' hopes to do for sharks what Blackfish did for orcas. The damage done to local ecosystems as well as to a surprisingly large number of endangered species is an eye opener everyone needs to learn about.
Seeking $45,000.00 in total funding from various sources.
Major changes to the approach of this film in contrast to Great White Lies include the director not conducting the interviews, nor hosting, but instead adding key information as an interviewee throughout the film.
Emotional engagement
Because of their population distribution, tiger sharks are affected at every culling location on the globe. The numbers of tiger sharks caught and killed each year at these locations is staggering. But statistics alone don’t sway emotions. This film opens with monologues of three different animals speaking to the audience as they slowly die in shark mitigation devices (nets and hooks). This includes a humpback whale, common dolphin, and a tiger shark.
Monsters intends to re-introduce tiger sharks to the audience by changing them from just another big fish we’ve been taught to fear, to the beautiful, crucial members of the ecosystem that they are. Through interviews with experts who work with tiger sharks on a daily basis we have the opportunity to not only stop seeing these predators as monsters, but even as individuals. Lined up to appear in the film speaking about tiger sharks are Andy Brandy Casagrande, Jim Abernethy, Joe Romeiro, Eli Martinez, and Deborah and Vincent Canabal. I am currently working on securing Shawn Heinrichs (of Racing Extinction) to also appear in the film.
In summary, these "big names" of the shark world are not only meant to share their stories, but to attract attention to the film purely by their involvement. The footwork has already been done by the film director in setting up these interviews, but the accomplishing the interviews requires a budget.
Scientific engagement
The interviews and accompanying footage of the shark dive experts helps the audience appreciate the tiger shark and look at this animal in a new way. But the science is the real core of the film:
Shark biologist, Safia Maher, has just completed the first study of its kind comparing the genetic diversity of Australia’s east coast population of tiger sharks to the west coast population. The study seems to indicate that shark culling and other pressures on tiger shark populations on the east coast (that do not exist in the same capacity on the west coast) have had a significant impact on the species and could possibly even affect the the species ability for long term survival.
Status - Safia and Skyler worked together for the film Great White Lies and Safia has agreed to appear in monsters, explaining her research.
On the cape coast of South Africa, Sarah Andreotti has just finished a similar study with white sharks, with an alarming indication that the genetic diversity is so depleted the population’s long term survival may already be in jeopardy. Despite being a protected species in South Africa, the government organization, Natal Sharks Board, continues to cull sharks in the middle of a major migration path for many species of animal, including tiger shark and white sharks.
Status - Sarah and Skyler have been in contact, but she may be restricted by a film agreement her sponsor is involved with. Waving some $$ at her boss could change things.
On the northeast coast of South Africa, shark biologist Jessica Escobar has removed herself from the organization Natal Sharks Board after learning the truth about their organization. it is very rare for scientists to be brave enough to speak out against an organization, but Jessica did it. Combined with an interview Skyler Thomas conducted with the communications office at Natal Sharks Board, we have some very hard evidence that their organization is money driven, not safety driven.
Adding their knowledge to the scientific aspect of this film are Dr. Chris Lowe , Prof Jessica Mueewig, and Dr. Neil Hammerschlag whom Skyler has already conducted interviews with. Post production and audio cleanup are the biggest expenses for the existing interviews, although Chris Lowe’s interview should be reshot.
Summary
With both heartwarming and heartbreaking footage combined with solid facts from researchers, 'Monsters' hopes to do for sharks what Blackfish did for orcas. The damage done to local ecosystems as well as to a surprisingly large number of endangered species is an eye opener everyone needs to learn about.
Seeking $45,000.00 in total funding from various sources.
Major changes to the approach of this film in contrast to Great White Lies include the director not conducting the interviews, nor hosting, but instead adding key information as an interviewee throughout the film.
