Singular Focus: The Life & Times of Text by Michael Menduno Photos courtesy of Becky Kagan Schott, with additional photos by Josh Bernstein, Jon Bojar, Gerardo Becky Kagan Schott del Villar, Jeffery Gallant, David Schott, Rich Stevenson, Trisha Stovel

Talent plus personality. That’s how clients and colleagues explain 35-year-old Becky Kagan Schott’s rapid ascent in the male-dominated, niche- filled world of underwater cin- ematography. “There are only a handful of people you can call if you need someone to dive to 350 feet, shoot and be creative,” explains Evan Kovacs, direc- tor of at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute’s Advanced Imaging and Visualization Lab. “There’s probably only two women in the world that could pull it off and Bec is one.” He calls her a breath of fresh air. “Even when she’s not in charge, she’s able to bring ideas to the table in a non- threatening way.” No small thing in a field fraught with IMAX-sized personalities.

Colleague, British underwater camera- man Rich Stevenson said that her skilled and energetic “let’s do this” attitude is the icing on the cake. The ex-Royal Marine conducted a series of two to three-hour dives with Schott to shoot shipwrecks more than 91m (300ft) deep in 1°C (34°F) water for a 3D film project in the Great Lakes. It was Schott’s first cold- water assignment. “No matter how chal- lenging our dives, she just cracked on without a complaint,” he said. Schott’s mask actually frosted up during deco.

DAVID SCHOTT

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Becky Kagan Schott (note ice in mask!) pos- ing for a selfie with fel- low cameraman Rich Stevenson (left) and filming sea lions in 6k resolution with her RED EPIC DRAGON digital cinema camera for a NatGeo project in British Columbia. (top TRISHA STOVEL left)

Those are some of the reasons her twin passions of diving and Shooting underwater job that she had that the former Fox News cam- telling stories with pictures. Her Her image making fol- dreamed of holding eraman has become the go-to- diving CV is a testament to her lowed a similar tack. for almost 16-years. gal for clients like Woods Hole, youthful enthusiasm and singular Having started toting a In 2013, the cou- Discovery Channel, National dedication-call it a predilection— camera to her first scuba ple won four more Geographic, the Military Channel, to her craft. Open water certified class, Schott went on to Emmys for their half TV, the National Park at age 12, Schott got cavern cer- study photography and TV hour CBS Special, Service’s Submerged Cultural tified at 14 after moving to Florida production in high school, “ Resource Unit and others; and with her family. She became a and then earned her beyond The Limits.” why the phones at her company, and com- bachelor degree in jour- Since then, the Liquid Productions Inc., that she pleted her “Intro To Cave” course nalism from University of dynamic duo landed

started with husband, fellow cam- at Ginnie Springs two years later Tampa in 2004. She landed RICH STEVENSON two more projects eraman David Schott, 10 years while working in a local dive shop. her first job out of college for NatGeo: one ago keeps ringing off the hook. She was hooked. as a news cameraman with CBS dive at Eagle’s Nest cave system Schotts have a cave. In 2011, one shooting the caves of the The duo spent more Schott logged more than 200 and later Fox News, while teach- in North Florida. That cemented they received their first Emmy and Bahamas, the second filming sea than 200 days on location over cave dives, including stage and ing scuba on the side. the deal. Within the year the two an Edward R. Murrow award for lions in British Columbia. Both are the last 12 months diving and scooter dives, by the time she was Schott met her soon-to-be hus- took the plunge. They moved the documentary of Eagles Nest expected to air in 2018. In addi- shooting in “challenging” aquatic old enough to earn her Full Cave band David online in 2006. The in together and formed Liquid Cave that they did for CBS. A tion, their Red Bull Explorer Series environments—their specialty: certification with the NSS-CDS at two had lots to chat about. He Productions in 2007, the year year later, National Geographic “Crystal Labyrinth” documentary caves, deep shipwrecks, cold age 18. She completed her NAUI was an underwater videogra- Becky got her first break as an (NatGeo) hired Liquid Productions featuring cave explorer Brian water, ice, and swimming with big instructor course the same year, pher and avid technical diver underwater cameraman. The to shoot their 2012 end-of- Kakuk, which they shot in 6k, was animals. and did her TDI training the with a and an masters couple married two years later. the-world special “Mayan just released this year. Schott’s seeming overnight suc- next year at 19. She started diving degree in business from Widener Underworld: The Real Doomsday,” Where do you go, when you cess is the result of nearly two and six years later. University. They decided to test Awards and named Becky underwa- realized your life ambition and half decades of singular focus on their budding relationship with a Some couples have a song. The ter director of photography, a you are still only 35? Here is what

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system, you were inducted into “Mayan Underworld: The Real received these honors. It really the Explorers’ Club, you won four Doomsday,” and have gone on means a lot. And being the more Emmys in 2013 and were to do two more NatGeo projects. underwater director of pho- inducted into the Woman Diver’s All that and before you were 30 tography (DP) for a NatGeo Hall of Fame, that same year you years old! special! Wow. That was really a were the underwater director of high point. I was walking around photography spot for Nat Geo’s BKS: I feel so young to have out there feeling like Wes Skiles [Becky smiles]. He was one of my role models. [Skiles was one of National Geographic’s go-to photographic directors for caves BECKY KAGAN SCHOTT before his passing in 2010]. Dancing with dolphins, by Becky Kagan Schott, won the National Geographic Traveler photo contest in 2011 To me, it was the ultimate dream job and what I have been the diminutive, five-foot-five, tek- phins. Do you know the one I am BKS: People look at pictures of working towards all these years. kie image-maker had to say. talking about? dolphins and might go, wow. But To have the opportunity to really in this case, when you can show be creative with lighting and shot MM: Do you consider yourself a BKS: Absolutely. That image won diver interacting with the dol- composition and directing under- cinematographer, photographer the National Geographic Traveler phins, it’s much more emotional. water scenes for NatGeo felt like or journalist? How do you view photo contest in 2011. It was People look at it and go, that a huge accomplishment. It was your work? taken in the Bahamas. What’s could be me, and I think that’s pretty amazing. amazing about that image is that why it’s so powerful and draws BKS: I look at myself as a photo- it looks like it’s frozen in time, as if the viewer in. MM: It’s a dream that you have journalist. I really want to tell a it happened in slow motion. But in I don’t know if that sets me been pursuing for a long time. story through images, whether it’s reality it occurred literally in a split apart from others, but captur- video or still photography. I think second when turned ing that interaction, whether it’s BKS: When I was very young, 10 or that it’s really important that it’s and the dolphins turned upwards between humans and animals or 11, I wanted to be an ichthyolo- not just an image. It has to mean to face her and then they were places, like caves or shipwrecks, is gist. My friends were like, huh? I something, or inspire someone, gone. I probably took, who something that I feel in my work. memorized the names of fish in to tell some kind of story. I love to knows, 400 pictures of that pod saltwater aquariums at the local show people interacting with the over the couple of hours that they MM: Well, it’s obvious that oth- pet shop. I loved sharks and was . stayed with us. A bunch turned ers are feeling it too! In addition fascinated watching documen- out good, but that one single to winning the Traveler photo taries and seeing them on tele- MM: That makes me think of the image was really special. contest, you and David won an vision. Now when I look back, I image you shot of a woman free Emmy and an Edward R. Murrow realize that’s what sparked my diver suspended vertically in the MM: What makes that one so award in 2011 for your docu- passion to be an underwater cin- water column facing three dol- compelling? mentary on Eagles Nest cave ematographer. Becky Kagan Schott and David Schott with Emmy awards in hand

29 X-RAY MAG : 79 : 2017 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO Photographs by Becky Kagan Schott of divers in underwater caves in Belize and Florida (left and bottom right); Becky Kagan Schott with husband David preparing for a shoot in Mexico(below). “A lot of equipment preparation went into filming Dan’s cave system in the Bahamas for Red Bull,” she said. Schott profile (lower left) my scuba instructor, Sue been very different if my dad Smiley. She told me later hadn’t encouraged me to learn that they didn’t accept to dive the year before. Diving students until age 14, but helped me through his passing. I was so excited about It gave me goals, something to diving that she couldn’t focus on. I was doing something turn me away. Thankfully no one my age was doing and she didn’t. She certi- it kept me out of trouble. I was fied me and started my working to earn my next regulator whole career. instead of hanging out with the bad kids and smoking in the back MM: Your dad passed of the schoolyard. away that next year and you and your mom MM: Tell me about your photog- moved to Orlando, raphy. Was that also informed by Florida. Did it make it your diving experience? harder for you to go div- ing because of the asso- BKS: I started taking pictures when ciation? I was very young. I always had a disposable, even from my very JOSH BERNSTEIN BKS: My life would have first scuba class, but I probably

BECKY KAGAN SCHOTT

MM: And that’s what got you started in diving?

BKS: My parents gave me a subscription to Skin Diver maga- zine when I was 10, which really opened my eyes to the world of scuba. Then two weeks before my 12th birthday, I was on a trip to Florida with my dad and the hotel we were staying at had a dive shop which offered resort courses. My dad paid for the course, and I knew from that first second under- water, that that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I was hooked. When we got home, I found

a local dive shop, and begged DAVID SCHOTT my parents to drive me to scuba lessons. I did a lot of babysitting MM: You got certified when you been diving for 18 years, they look to pay off those lessons. [Becky were only 12 years old! at me funny, like: “Are you lying chuckles] to me?” Nope, I started when I BKS: When I tell people I have was 12. I still keep in touch with BECKY KAGAN SCHOTT

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got more serious about it when I was 14 thing, put together a little video and then because my family didn’t dive. So I want- broadcast out to four thousand students. ed to be able to show them what I was People would come up and tell me that seeing underwater and why I loved it so they really enjoyed it. It showed me how much, especially my mom. powerful media can be.

MM: You studied photography in high MM: So you stayed with it. school, got involved in the school’s TV production program in your freshman BKS: I went on to get my BA (Bachelor of year and went on to become the anchor Arts degree) in journalism at University of for the school’s daily news show. Tampa, where I did everything from doc- umentaries to news reporting and ended BKS: The news show really gave me my up getting an internship at the local NBC first taste for television, editing and put- station, which was right across from the ting stories together. It also showed me school. That gave me my first start. that you could touch a lot of people by what you do. I would go shoot some- MM: Most people probably don’t realize that you started your career in the news business.

BKS: I was lucky to get a job as a photojour- nalist right out of col- lege and it allowed me really hone my topside skills. I don’t think you can just go

be an underwater vid- GERARDO DEL VILLAR eographer. You have to know a bit about BKS: News was like an 80-hour a week handle yourself in those environments. MM: It sounds like hard work. cameras and how job. I wouldn’t want to be doing it now There’s a lot more that goes into that to shoot and what but it was great experience. In Florida, I kind of shoot, a lot more planning, a BKS: We often work 20-hour days, for days makes for a good shot did everything from covering alligators in lot more , and it takes—I’m not in a row. There’s no weekend, there’s and sequence and backyard pools to shooting so many hur- tooting my own horn here—but I think it no, hey, I’m tired, I’m sleeping in today. things like that. ricanes and brush fires. I even reported takes a certain personality to deal with It’s just not how this job goes. Like that I worked in TV news on a few horrible crime stories when we the problems that come up. It’s not just a first Nat Geo job [Mayan Underworld] in from 2004 until 2009. moved back to Philadelphia and got to dive trip. Mexico. It was two shoots, 10 days each First at CBS in Ft. Myers cover campaign rallies in the 2008 presi- Believe me, these things do not go and it wasn’t always pretty. I probably and then at Fox in dential election. But by 2009, Dave and smoothly. You’re often in foreign coun- only got three hours of sleep a night by Tampa, and later in I had enough work for me to leave and tries. Equipment doesn’t show up. You the time we were done reviewing the Philadelphia. I stayed focus on our own company. need batteries. Sometimes people don’t day’s footage, production meetings and in news, even after always want you there depending on the prepping the equipment. It was not a my husband Dave MM: You and David specialize in shooting shoot and the weather doesn’t always vacation. and I started our own in extreme underwater environments like cooperate. But you do whatever it takes production company, caves, shipwrecks, or under ice. I imagine to get it done and make the shoot suc- MM: Tell me about it. Liquid Productions in that’s a difficult niche to fill. cessful. That’s how you make a reputa- 2007. tion for yourself and hopefully get called BKS: We were diving in some very remote BKS: It’s not just being able to do the for more jobs in the future. locations in the Yucatán. Not Rivera MM: What was it like? dives but being able to shoot and Maya, but the Yucatán. A lot of the loca-

JEFFERY GALLANT

31 X-RAY MAG : 79 : 2017 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO Becky Kagan Schott pulls a vacuum seal and tests settings on her rig; David Schott prepares a Gates Schott profile Deep Dragon housing for a cold water shoot in Canada (below)

BKS: We ended up having to go back and film in a different location about a month later, and that went pretty well. But it was still high stress between man- aging the rebreathers, multiple cameras, lights, and coordinating the team to make sure everyone was on the same page. Fortunately, we had great weath- er, got all the shots we needed and then some and everyone went home feeling great about the show.

MM: Have you found it difficult to break

tions required 80 to 85 foot rappels to get down into the and there was no land for staging. So we needed to float everything down there. We had zodiacs in the water to clip off our gear and then we’d dive to 150 feet in this giant cave and shoot Mayan remains, skulls and artifacts. The problem was that the weather was getting worse because of an approaching hurricane and the cenote started acted like a giant drain. There was just mud pouring down on top of us, and swirling around in the water. It was like being in a giant toilet.

MM: What did you do?

BKS: It was very stressful because the producer was pushing to get the shots. He wanted to get them done. I had a team of 10 people in the water doing underwater DP! into what has been a very male-domi- lighting, communications, cables and nated field? talent and second cameras. I was try- BKS: It was a tough call to make, espe- ing to hold it together but things were cially when you’re getting paid to be BKS: It’s a tough field to break into getting hairier with the mud waterfall, on the job and you’ve got a producer whether you’re a male or female. But visibility and delicate artifacts that were saying, we’ve spent hundreds of thou- yes, I am a girl. Thanks for noticing thousands of years old that we didn’t sands of dollars for these shots, the host [Becky laughs]. I do this because I love it want to damage. It just wasn’t safe for is here, the crew is here and we want to and can’t imagine doing anything else. I us, or for the artifacts, and I had to make get it done. I hated to be the bearer of don’t think about being a woman when the call. bad news, but I had to tell them, ”It’s not I’m doing it. going to happen.” When I was younger I worried about MM: That must have been difficult, par- people taking me seriously. But now, JON BOJAR ticularly on your first Nat Geo job as MM: What did happen? I do all the tech dives, I carry the big Becky Kagan Schott filming manatees in Florida

32 X-RAY MAG : 79 : 2017 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO Becky Kagan Schott on E.M. Clark wreck off North Carolina (left) and on Grecian wreck in Lake Huron profile (bottom right) Schott (WHOI), which has become a wreck. Some of them had never BKS: Every time we get called for steady client. I have done a lot been on a boat before and they a job, its something slightly differ- of projects with them including had no idea what was in their ent and unexpected, and I love documentaries and expeditions own backyard in Michigan. They that. Whether it’s something that and working with 3D-video for thought everything had already no one has seen before, like a TV. I shot topside for the 2010 been found. We really opened virgin wreck, or something I’ve Titanic Expedition for British TV, their eyes and hopefully viewers’ never shot before, like hump- and worked on an amazing eyes as well. back whales, which I got to do documentary called “Project Ship Every photographer dreams of this year, or shooting great whites Hunt” in 2012 in the Great Lakes. inspiring someone, but when you outside a cage near Guadalupe Sony funded the project and it can introduce the younger gener- Island. Sometimes it’s a personal aired on Current TV. ation to our world and show them challenge, or photographic chal- there’s still so much to be discov- lenge or challenges with depths MM: It was an educational pro- ered, it’s really a thrill. It’s been a and currents. I’m always trying to gram? passion of mine ever since. better myself, and my dive edu- cation and so I am interested in BKS: That’s MM: You’ve worked on a diverse all of it. right. We took array of projects from cave diving five students, and shipwrecks to filming wildlife, MM: Any favorites? ages 16 and to being underwater camera- 17, and taught men for Discovery’s new TV series BKS: One of my all-time favor- them how to “Bering Sea Gold.” ites was a 3D shoot we did up

RICH STEVENSON hunt for a ship- in Isle Royale National Park for

cameras, I dive in challenging When I look back now, I realize places and I come home with the that I was so new at the time. I images, so I just let my work speak have learned so much in the last for itself. five years.

MM: How did you get your first MM: That was your first introduc- break as an underwater camera- tion to rebreathers as well? man? BKS: Yeah. At the time, I knew BKS: It was in 2007. Dan Crowell their benefits for filming, but I was hired me for a TV series called, also doing a lot of 300-foot open TRISHA STOVEL “Quest for Sunken Warships” for circuit dives and starting to feel the Military Channel. They wanted that I was hitting the limit of what I’m able to stay down a lot longer, a female talent/underwater vid- I could do. So I was interested in whether it’s in 18-27m (60-90ft) eographer. A friend of mine told rebreathers to extend my range. of water, or spending an hour at them, “I know this girl.” I was 25 92m (300ft), get closer to most at the time and had the look MM: And now they are a main- marine life, and even get clear they wanted. They took me on stay for you. I see you dive a audio versus hearing the sound and Dan trained me to dive a Meg. [Megalodon made by Inner of diver’s on the video. rebreather for the show, which Space Systems Inc.] There are many benefits. was really cool. He was also the underwater DP for “Deep Sea BKS: I love my Meg but I am MM: What happened after Detectives” and I learned quite a also certified on the [AP Diving] Quest? bit from him. Inspiration and the KISS. They’re Quest was my first TV series. fantastic tools that allow me to BKS: Dave and I started get- Later Discovery picked up the do so much more than I could ting work from Woods Hole show and it’s still airing today. ever do with open circuit scuba. Oceanographic Institution RICH STEVENSON

33 X-RAY MAG : 79 : 2017 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO Photo by Becky Kagan Schott from Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior where one can see the wreck of the America at the surface, profile as it starts just 1m below Schott dive your rebreather? display very well because there was so much ambient light, but I was adding a BKS: That year, I lost five friends and lot of manually. Suddenly, I felt acquaintances over a 12-month period; light-headed, which never happened four were diving rebreathers, one was on before. I felt like I was going to black open circuit. And I’ve lost other friends div- out. I immediately knew something was ing rebreathers prior to that and since. It’s wrong. really taught me to never be complacent, I looked at my handset and my PO2 and to always, number one, watch the read 0.16 [Hypoxic levels]. And I was like, rebreather over everything else. I love my “Oh My God!” I immediately flushed the rebreather. I trust it. But at the same time, I loop. I found out later that my solenoid don’t trust it, and I’m always watching it, if wasn’t in all the way. It probably got that makes sense. knocked loose getting on and off the boat, and it wasn’t adding oxygen to the MM: You have a lot to watch with the loop. Scared the living daylights out of rebreather and cameras and your crew! me. All I could keep thinking for the next

BKS: That’s why I love to have a safety diver with me. Someone who is competent and there to watch and help out if there is a problem. Because you know what? It’s easy to make mis- takes. So, I just think it’s smart to have somebody there watching my back. So many of the fatalities in the BECKY KAGAN SCHOTT past few years have involved the National Park Service’s Submerged mud, or coral or just gone. It was just fas- you look at my photos? If you ever need , whether they’ve Culture Resources Center. I had never cinating to see. an intern or whatever, please call me.” been on rebreathers or open heard of Isle Royale before. I had He ignored me for years, which was circuit. I believe that those peo- to Google it. It’s a tiny island in Lake MM: You mentioned that Wes Skiles was fine. I get a lot of those emails now ple would have had a better Superior and the water is 1-2°C (34-36°F). one of your role models. and I understand. So I just kept work- chance of surviving if they had At the time, I hadn’t done much cold ing towards my goals and getting more someone with them, and even if water diving and I was a bit nervous, but BKS: I’ve often thought that I wanted shows and building a name for myself. they still passed away, we might I was like, all right, I’m ready for a chal- to be the female Wes Skiles. I’ve been A couple of years ago, he took notice know more about what hap- lenge. Break out the dry gloves! enamoured with his work since I was 14. and called. He said, “I’m working on this pened. We were up there for three weeks that Later when I got into cave diving and project and I’d like to get you involved.” first time, and it quickly became one of began to understand more about pho- Of course, just having him ask meant the MM: Have you ever had an inci- the favorite places I’ve ever been. It’s a tography, I could really appreciate how world to me. dent? graveyard for shipwrecks, many of which amazing he was. are intact and absolutely incredible to Wes wasn’t just a cameraman. He was MM: Did you get to work with him? BKS: I’ve never had to bail out dive on. also an amazing still photographer and on my Meg, but I had a close There are wrecks from the 1800s to the director. He did stuff 20 years ago that BKS: Sadly no. I never did. He passed call. I was shooting in about ten mid-1990s, and the wood and artifacts would be difficult to replicate today. away six months later. It’s one of my big- feet of water pushing a very big are very well preserved in the cold fresh ger regrets. I really wish I could have. camera around and fighting water, as if they had sunk yesterday. It’s MM: What kind of relationship did you Wes died while diving a rebreather on the surge. I was on and off the amazing. There are purses and boots and have? NatGeo shoot in Florida. He was alone at boat a lot and a safety diver belts and porcelain hand mirrors strewn the time. was snorkelling above keeping in and around the wreck. In the ocean, BKS: It’s funny; I started emailing Wes an eye on me. most artifacts are usually covered in when I was 18. You know, “Hi Wes, will MM: Has it changed the way that you I couldn’t see my heads-up TRISHA STOVEL Becky Kagan Schott photographing caverns in NewBECKY Zealand KAGAN SCHOTT

34 X-RAY MAG : 79 : 2017 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO THIS PAGE. Photographs by Becky Kagan Scott of dive buddy Jitka Hanakova with ship’s wheel (left) on the first exploration dive on the Alice E. Wilds wreck, found at 98m (300ft) in Lake Michigan; profile Diver on the Cornelia B. Windiate in 56m in Lake Huron (center) Schott been working on in ond flowing out if it. It’s danger- shipwreck images published in 12 It has to come from passion. You between jobs. Would ous. You can only enter the cave magazines! have to eat, live, breathe it and you share one that’s in when there’s a severe drought want to do it, whether you’re get- the works? and the water is very MM: I have seen some of them. ting paid or not.  low, and that only happens a They are absolutely stunning. What BKS: One of the proj- couple of months every decade. advice would you offer to people Michael Menduno is an award- ects we’ve been It took a team of ten of us to who want to get into the business? winning reporter and technolo- working on over the get all of our cameras, lights, gist based in California, USA, who years is an hour-long DPVs [diver propulsion vehicles], BKS: I would say just get out there has written about diving and documentary about and safety bottles into the system and shoot, no matter what kind diving technology for more than for a single video dive. of camera you have. You don’t 25 years and coined the term We are also working on need the biggest or fanciest cam- “.” He was the a short film on shipwrecks era, but practicing is everything. founder and publisher of aqua- in the Great Lakes, which Getting out there and diving and CORPS: The Journal for Technical

BECKY KAGAN SCHOTT we are shooting with our shooting, and even practicing on Diving (1990-1996), which helped new 6k Red Epic Dragon land will really make a difference. usher technical diving into the year was it’s as easy as that. One BKS: I absolutely love camera, that we’ll prob- Do it because you love it. You mainstream of sports diving, and tiny mistake and that could be it. what I do and I’m ably use to pitch to the can’t just go, “Wow, I think being organized the first Tek, EUROTek Since then I have been even very lucky to have networks. As a bonus, I an underwater cameraman would and AsiaTek conferences, as well more diligent about watching, hit my original goals have had my Great Lakes be a fun career.” That won’t work. as Rebreather Forums 1 and 2. slowing down and doing things so soon. So being an right, no matter how hard we’re overachiever, I’ve pushing on production. had to re-evaluate what I want to do MM: ? in the next 10 years, what our goals are BKS: I do my on every for the future. dive, no matter what. I have it For one thing, I’d written in my wet notes. It gives like to do more tele- me a little peace of mind. And vision series versus I actually do everything on the doing single docu- checklist, not just look at it go, mentaries, like the yeah, I think I did that. If I can’t “Bering Sea Gold” remember if I analysed my tanks, stuff we shot for I go back and I re-analyse them, Discovery. You show because that’s how you catch up and you’re in one problems. place for a month I also make checklists for my and shoot several cameras so I can make sure that episodes versus just everything is plugged in and doing a week or ten- good to go there before I hop in day shoot. BECKY KAGAN SCHOTT the water. It’s often the little things But I also see us like remembering to put fresh bat- growing as a company. I’d like the Weeki Wachee Springs Cave. teries in the monitors or formatting to see us pitching our own docu- It’s a passion project. It’s one the cards that can trip you up. mentaries to the networks and of the deepest cave systems in producing shows in the future. the United States, at over 122m MM: You’ve accomplished so That’s the next logical step. (400ft) deep and and extremely much at a young age. Do you challenging cave to document and David have a goal or vision MM: You mentioned to me that because of the violent entry. of where you’d like to go from you have some of your own proj- There’s a small shift that has here? ects that you and Dave have over 3m3 (100ft3) of water per sec- Diver at propeller on car ferry wreck in Lake Michigan BECKY KAGAN SCHOTT

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