Fighting the Elements for Rescue: HI-Surf
From the minds of the award-winning executive producer and director John Wells and executive producer and writer Matt Kester, Rescue: HI-Surf is a heart-pounding drama that follows the personal and professional lives of Oahu’s North Shore lifeguards. The heroic first responders often find themselves in life-threatening situations patrolling the famous Seven Mile Miracle, a stretch of sandy beaches with the most pristine surf conditions that’s not for the faint of heart. Inspired by surf films and documentaries, cinematographer Anka Malatynska captured the raw intensity of these fearless lifeguards as they navigate treacherous conditions. With support from Panavision Woodland Hills, Malatynska used Panavision VA large-format spherical lenses to enhance Oahu’s aesthetic appeal, favoring single-camera setups and relying heavily on natural light. I recently spoke with Malatynska about her experience. Here is that conversation.
