⮞   In the film, you primarily focused on underwater sound. What inspired you to choose sound over other options?

From a young age, I’ve always had a deep personal connection to the ocean, having spent my childhood by the water. Over the years, I’ve come to realize how profoundly the ocean impacts both our lives and the broader ecosystem, and yet, it’s a topic that often goes underappreciated. Only recently has underwater sound begun to gain recognition as an important lens through which we can understand climate change. This dual inspiration—both personal and scientific—drove my curiosity as a filmmaker. We know so little about our oceans—less, in some ways, than we do about outer space—and that makes the storytelling potential of underwater sound incredibly exciting. When Dr. Paul Ramos and I brainstormed this project, it felt like the perfect convergence of our shared interests and a timely, vital topic.

⮞   How many days did it take to produce the film, and what challenges did you encounter?

This was one of the most challenging projects I’ve ever been part of—not just because of the scale, but because it was completely bootstrapped. It started as a passion project, and we knew from day one that we had to make it happen, no matter the obstacles. We raised funds ourselves and built the entire expedition piece by piece.

The full production process stretched well over a year. In fact, just the pre-production took more than 12 months, largely because the idea grew organically. Around the time of COP26, there was a noticeable shift in how the ocean was being discussed in climate conversations, and that’s what first sparked the concept. We began exploring the idea of sailing to COP26, stopping along the way to meet with scientists, researchers, and communities connected to the sea—and the coastline itself became part of the story.

One of our biggest logistical hurdles was finding a vessel that could take us from the south of England to the Hebrides. And to make things even more intense—none of us had any sailing experience. It was a five-week, 1,000km voyage with five people on board, and four of us were complete novices. Luckily, we found a captain willing to come with us and lend his boat, even though he wasn’t an experienced sailor either. That decision added a whole new layer of unpredictability and adventure to the journey.

Of course, we faced all the usual production challenges—weather, equipment, tight timelines—but the reality of sailing such a long distance with minimal experience made this unlike anything I’ve ever done. It wasn’t just about telling a story—it was about living it.

⮞   The storytelling in the film is very engaging. Did you follow a script, or were the scenes mostly improvised?

We didn’t follow a traditional script—instead, the story was allowed to unfold naturally. We had a clear sense of our mission and the themes we wanted to explore, but we deliberately left space for spontaneity. That was essential, because so much of what we were documenting—weather, wildlife, underwater sound—was unpredictable by nature.

What guided us was more of a narrative compass than a fixed script. We knew we wanted to explore the hidden soundscape of climate change, and we had key interviews and locations mapped out. But many of the most powerful scenes emerged organically—unexpected moments at sea, insights from scientists we met along the way, or the emotional highs and lows of life on the water.

One of the most pivotal moments was meeting Professor Steve Simpson. We were incredibly lucky to connect with him—he quickly became the backbone of our story. Not only is he a world-leading ocean scientist, but he’s also an incredibly charismatic presence on camera. He brought deep expertise and rich stories. He was an absolute pleasure to work with, and his contribution gave the film both scientific weight and a very human core.

Letting the story evolve this way brought a certain rawness and honesty that I don’t think we could have captured with a more rigid approach. The ocean doesn’t follow a script, so we didn’t either.

⮞   The camera work is exceptional. Did the Director of Photography use different techniques for shooting on land versus underwater?

While we captured some stunning visuals on land and above the water, the underwater footage was a standout element—and for that, we were incredibly fortunate to cross paths with Jake Davies during our time in Wales. Jake is not only an experienced marine biologist but also an exceptional underwater filmmaker.

What made it even more special was that he didn’t just contribute behind the camera—he also appeared on-screen as an expert voice, bringing valuable insight to the story. His ability to operate in both worlds—science and storytelling—elevated the film in ways we couldn’t have planned for.

Jake’s involvement is a perfect example of how this project came together so organically. People showed up not just with skills, but with passion for the cause. That spirit of collaboration and shared purpose is what really made the film possible.

⮞   What was it like working with ocean scientist Professor Steve Simpson?

Working with Professor Steve Simpson was one of the absolute highlights of the entire project. He brought such a unique blend of world-class scientific knowledge and natural charisma—it was like having David Attenborough meets your favourite university lecturer on board.

Steve has a rare talent for making complex ocean science feel completely accessible, without ever losing its depth or importance. He was generous with his time, full of great stories, and brought a real human warmth to the film. You could tell he wasn’t just there to inform—he truly cared about the mission, and that energy was infectious.

In many ways, he became the backbone of the film. His passion for underwater sound helped frame our entire narrative, and his presence on screen gave the story a credibility and emotional resonance we couldn’t have achieved otherwise. It was an absolute privilege to work with him.

⮞   Can you tell us about the expedition? How did you plan for it, and what obstacles did you face?

The expedition was ambitious from the start: a 1,000km sailing journey from the south coast of England to the Hebrides of Scotland, tracing the spine of the UK’s wild and rugged coastline. The original idea was sparked around COP26—we imagined sailing to the climate summit, meeting scientists along the way, and uncovering untold ocean stories through sound. But turning that vision into reality took over a year of planning.

One of the biggest hurdles was simply the logistics. None of us had sailing experience, and yet we were determined to make this journey by sea. Finding a vessel that could take us the full distance—and a skipper willing to join five near-novices on a five-week voyage—wasn’t easy. But somehow, piece by piece, it came together.

The planning phase involved route-mapping, risk assessments, identifying potential interviewees, coordinating scientific equipment for underwater sound studies, and preparing for the sheer unpredictability of the ocean. Once underway, we faced everything from equipment malfunctions to near-constant weather disruptions, and of course, the steep learning curve of life at sea.

But those challenges became part of the story. The expedition wasn’t just a backdrop—it was an active character in the film. And I think the obstacles we faced only deepened our sense of purpose and urgency. It was tough, but it made the mission feel real. It tested us, bonded us, and made the end result all the more meaningful.

⮞   Did the weather present any challenges for filming the documentary?

Yes—massively. We set sail in October, which in hindsight is probably the worst possible time to begin a sailing expedition around the UK. On our very first day, we were hit by a Force 7 gale. The sea conditions were so rough we had no choice but to divert to a small island and take shelter. We ended up sleeping on the floor of a local church hall for two nights while the storm passed.

That moment really set the tone for the rest of the journey. The weather was constantly against us—high winds, freezing rain, unpredictable seas. Filming in those conditions was extremely tough. Just keeping equipment dry and functional was a daily challenge, let alone capturing steady footage on a boat that was being tossed around by waves.

But in a strange way, the weather became part of the story. It underscored the intensity of the journey and reminded us why documenting these changing oceans is so important. The brutality of the conditions added authenticity, and it bonded the crew in ways I’ll never forget.

⮞   What advice would you give those wanting to pursue a career in documentary filmmaking?

Start with curiosity—real, burning curiosity—and let that guide you. The best documentary filmmakers I know aren’t just great with cameras or editing software; they’re deeply interested in the world and relentless about uncovering truth, nuance, and human connection.

Also, don’t wait for permission. Most of the projects that shaped my career weren’t commissioned—they started as personal ideas, often with no budget, no crew, and no guarantee anyone would watch. But when you create work you believe in, people notice.

Embrace the challenges. It’s a career that requires resilience—there will be setbacks, missed opportunities, and moments where it all feels impossible. But those moments also shape your voice and sharpen your instincts.

And finally, build relationships. Whether it’s with scientists, storytellers, or local communities, documentary filmmaking is a deeply collaborative craft. The people you work with can transform your film—and your perspective.

Tell stories that matter to you. That passion will carry you through everything else.