SHARK WEEK INTERVIEW: This cinematographer has lived a life with sharks

Photo: Sharks of all kinds and varieties are the main draw during Shark Week. Photo courtesy of Discovery Channel / Provided by press site with permission.

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Joe Romeiro, an underwater cinematographer whose work is showcased on this year’s Shark Week on Discovery, lives a life that causes him to come in close contact with sharp-toothed sharks around the world. He descends into the depths of the ocean to find and cinematically capture these beasts of the sea, and the images and videos he brings back to the surface are awe-inspiring and just plain cool.

This year, Romeiro’s work can be seen on Will Smith: Off the Deep End, Alien Sharks: First Contact and Wicked Sharks, three original programs that are part of Shark Week.

Romeiro has been water-bound for most of his life, having first fallen in love with the ocean at a very young age. In his adult years, he co-founded 333productions LLC / 333 Digital with Bill Fisher, a photographer and sound engineer. Over the years, he has become a trusted and sought-after naturalist on the topic of shark behavior.

Recently Romeiro exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox about this year’s Shark Week offerings. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.

When did you first fall in love with sharks and marine life?

It started as a kid. I couldn’t speak English and learned from watching mostly monster movies and natural history films. Sharks were a big part of my favorites, and through that I found my first ‘heroes.’

What would you say is the biggest challenge of filming shark life for TV programs like Shark Week?

The hardest part of filming sharks for TV programs is that depending on the location and the species sometimes there isn’t a long enough time slot to get everything you need done. They are still wild animals, and we don’t always know if they will be there or not.

Do you ever get scared getting close to these animals?

If you’re not cautious, you’re not a human. But it is what I love, and it doesn’t strike me that way. 

What do you love about the specials you’re involved in this year for Shark Week?

I am in Will Smith: Off the Deep End, Alien Sharks: First Contact and Wicked Sharks. I enjoyed working on all these programs. Wicked Sharks, Dr. Greg Skomal and myself explore the white sharks in our backyard (Cape Cod). Alien Sharks was something I had always wanted to be part of, filming new deep sea species and unique shark species I wouldn’t ordinarily get the chance to do. In Will Smith: Off the Deep End, I was able to show someone what we do every day and why we do it, and I feel we changed his view on sharks.

Do you think Shark Week has helped spread awareness about the beauty and potential dangers of these animals?

I think Shark Week does a great job helping spread awareness about the beauty and potential dangers and threats these animals live their daily lives. They have a huge platform that so many people look forward to watching, which has opened up so many people to the idea of sharks. 

How many days a year are you in the ocean filming sharks?

I am in the ocean most of the year filming sharks, especially May-October when it’s our shark season in Rhode Island-New England. Outside of that time we are on expeditions, assignments or we are in the studio editing and creating content. We do occasionally get holiday time to stay home once in a while.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

Shark Week continues through Sunday, Aug. 16. Click here for more information.