Horizon tank

A horizon tank is a large 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 three horizon tanks worldwide:[2][3]

There are proposals to build new tanks in New Zealand, and at Docklands Studios Melbourne, Australia.[4]

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. "Melbourne studio gets name change". Variety. 12 October 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2011.


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