Filming of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World in 2003 at Baja Studios

A horizon tank is a large water tank built on the coast and used in filmmaking. It allows filmmakers to film an ocean horizon without having to be in the middle of the ocean.

History

The first horizon tank was constructed in Malta in 1964 by special effects technician Benjamin Hole, who later formed Mediterranean Film Studios. Popular films shot there include U-571 and Ridley Scott's White Squall.[1] The studio's tanks are also regularly used for filming TV commercials.

In 1996 20th Century Fox acquired 40 acres of waterfront south of Playas de Rosarito in Baja California, Mexico, and built a 17-million-gallon tank for the film Titanic, a co-production with Paramount Pictures. The tank held a replica of the ship, and provided 270 degrees of ocean view.

List of horizon tanks

There are only a few horizon tanks worldwide:[2][3]

  • Mediterranean Film Studios in Malta
  • Baja Studios in Playas de Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico
  • Point Cook RAAF Base in Victoria, Australia[4]
  • Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios Horizon Water Tank in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Mediterranean Film Studios - A brief history about the world-renowned Water SFX Facility". Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  2. ↑ "Titanic tank plan to boost movies". stuff.co.nz. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  3. ↑ "Filming Tanks and Pools worldwide". Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  4. ↑ Greenblat, Eli (October 8, 1998). "Floating on air". The Age. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.


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