“Metropolis – A Day in Reef City” was born out of a fascination and respect for the rich biodiversity of tropical reef systems. Luca envisioned a short film that would celebrate the beauty and complexity of reef ecosystems.

Armed with an intimate knowledge of local sites and the support of a passionate community of marine life enthusiasts, the team embarked on a quest to locate and document the daily lives of tropical reef creatures. The filming, spread over several months, happened both during the daylight and the mysterious world of the night reef. Accumulating more than 300 hours of footage, Luca captured unseen behaviors and moments, showcasing his dedication and bringing to life the untold stories of the reef.
Creating the stunning visuals required advanced equipment. Luca used a high-end Sony cinema camera, protected by a sturdy Marelux aluminum housing and various specialized lights to reveal the vibrant colors and details of the underwater world. He also used a specially made rig designed for close-up filming, which helped creating intimate shots of even the tiniest inhabitants of Metropolis.

Once the raw beauty of the reef was captured, Julia took charge of the storytelling. Her task was to weave the selected footage into a narrative, crafting a script that would resonate with audiences and honor the spirit of the reef. In the post-production stage, Luca carefully edited the videos and created a sound experience that made viewers feel like they were under the sea. The professional voice-over artist, Nick Radcliffe, narrated the film, adding emotion and depth to the story and leading the audience through a day in Reef City.

Photo credits
Zoe Slack @zoegetswet