How Tiputa got it's name.
One night During the filming of Blue Water Hunters on Rangiroa Atoll, the producer Laszlo Pal, cinematographer, Rick Rossenthal, Terry Mass and I sat enjoying our evening dinner.
The day had been a long one full of edgy bait induced Grey Reef shark frenzy's one of which almost cost the head of our french safety diver, as a huge Silver Tip drilled down from above. ( another story)
Terry and I wanted to do a reenactment of a SWBO suffered by a close friend of ours where Terry saved his life. If I remember correctly Lazlo was doubtful I could do it in a cost effective way as we were burning film. I assured him I could ;
Freedive down to 90 + feet, swim back toward the surface, act a blackout/samba at 20' where my gun fires.
Sink limp, back down dropping my gun to the 98' bottom, while...... Terry spots me from the surface, then dives to me, drops my wt belt and brings my limp out of air body to the surface for a revival attempt.
'' Sure Lazslo.... I can do that in one take''
'' I don't think'' so cautions Rick and Terry
, I can shoot it on scuba but I don't like the risk.
''Look...Terry and I are very deep divers, no worries mate.... I can do this'' I reply.
''How are you going to equalize on the unconscious reenactment drop toward the bottom ? you can't use your hand to pinch your nose'' asks Terry.
''Don't worry about it..I'll work it out..... I'll get a nose clip and put it under my mask....no Problem mate''.
''But do you have one ? asks Rick.....
''Sure do''.... I slide a spoon from the table and start bending the handle until it breaks off.Later back in my houch I form the soft metal into a nice little clip to wear under my mask.
I awake at 5 AM to Rick knocking at the door,'' Hey Don, bring the cool looking hand made gun for the shoot''
'' No way I'm dropping it to the bottem with all these Grey dogs to chew it up...No way, I want Double Trouble , I have a power head for the bottom shaft in my pocket if it gets too sporty.''
" Look Don, I'll watch the gun after you drop it, I'll swim down and grab it as soon as the camera stops.'' '' All that pretty wood will stick out like a sore thumb buddy''.
To be Cont.....
Don Paul
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