Film Water Tanks in Malta
Malta is world-renowned for its water SFX facility situated in the south-eastern side of the island. Malta Film Studios (MFS) boasts of one indoor tank and two large exterior water tanks situated along the coast and therefore enjoying a natural horizon. They are amongst the largest in the world.
(Left picture: The Deep "concave" Tank and the Shallow Tank)
Shallow Tank
300ft x 400ft x 6ft deep with a centre pit of 7ft deep
(91m x 122m x 1.8m deep with 4m in the centre)
Approx. filling duration: 8-9 hours
Approx. emptying duration: 6 hours
This Shallow Tank was built in 1964 when the facility was created. It is the most popular tank and used mainly for surface water filming and also elaborate storm special effects. Such movies as "Captain Phillips", "Orca The Killer Whale", "White Squall" and "Cutthroat Island" were filmed here. The overspilling effect when the tank is full creates a seamless horizon between the tank water and the open sea. To understand how the SFX works in this tank, we highly recommend you visit our video page here.
Right picture taken during "Leviathan" with director George Cosmatos. © PCP 1987
Below picture taken during "Chanel" © PCP 2016
(91m x 122m x 1.8m deep with 4m in the centre)
Approx. filling duration: 8-9 hours
Approx. emptying duration: 6 hours
This Shallow Tank was built in 1964 when the facility was created. It is the most popular tank and used mainly for surface water filming and also elaborate storm special effects. Such movies as "Captain Phillips", "Orca The Killer Whale", "White Squall" and "Cutthroat Island" were filmed here. The overspilling effect when the tank is full creates a seamless horizon between the tank water and the open sea. To understand how the SFX works in this tank, we highly recommend you visit our video page here.
Right picture taken during "Leviathan" with director George Cosmatos. © PCP 1987
Below picture taken during "Chanel" © PCP 2016
Deep "Concave" Tank
351ft diameter down to 162ft (107m x 49m) Depth of 36ft (11m)
Approx. filling time: 15 hours / Approx. emptying time: 8 hrs
This Deep Tank was built in 1979 for the movie Raise The Titanic. It is mainly used for underwater filming due to its unique depth and water clarity abilities. The late Peter Dolmen, VFX Supervisor of U-571, said that water clarity using a special filtration system was often as good as 60 feet and he had to insert impurities to make the water look as realistic as the open sea. Surface water filming is also possible in this tank but with limited storm effects. A seamless horizon is created by overspilling the tank. An underwater video was once taken of the tank months after it was filled and without any purification or chlorination in the process. Here is the video test
A waterfall effect is created for "Erik The Viking" © PCP 1988)
Approx. filling time: 15 hours / Approx. emptying time: 8 hrs
This Deep Tank was built in 1979 for the movie Raise The Titanic. It is mainly used for underwater filming due to its unique depth and water clarity abilities. The late Peter Dolmen, VFX Supervisor of U-571, said that water clarity using a special filtration system was often as good as 60 feet and he had to insert impurities to make the water look as realistic as the open sea. Surface water filming is also possible in this tank but with limited storm effects. A seamless horizon is created by overspilling the tank. An underwater video was once taken of the tank months after it was filled and without any purification or chlorination in the process. Here is the video test
A waterfall effect is created for "Erik The Viking" © PCP 1988)
Insert Tank
50ft x 30ft x 12ft deep (15m x 9m x 3.6m deep)
Approx. filling time: 5-6 hours of sea water or 8-9 hrs with sweet water
(add 2 days of filtration for water clarity)
This Insert Tank was built in the mid-90's for the award-winning Levis "Mermaid" commercial. It has a dry camera room and it's roof can be removed. Water clarity in this tank is at its best. The tank can be filled with either sweet or sea (salt) water. Heating is an optional special instalment.
Underwater clips
A set constructed inside the Insert Tank. This tank is built in a corner of the Shallow Tank.
USEFUL TIP:
If you or your director has never filmed in a SFX Water Tank, we advise to watch our videos