Interview: Tania Raymonde, Star Of Deep Blue Sea 3
Deep Blue Sea 3 is the latest chapter in the shark thriller franchise started back in 1999.
PLOT: Dr. Emma Collins (Tania Raymonde) and her team are spending their third summer on the island of Little Happy studying the effect of climate change on the great white sharks who come to the nearby nursery every year to give birth. Along with the last two inhabitants of this former fishing village, their peaceful life is disrupted when a "scientific" team led by her ex-boyfriend and marine biologist Richard show up looking for three bull sharks who we soon learn aren't just any bull sharks.
Ross caught up with Tania to talk about the new movie, sharks and of course JAWS.
The Daily Jaws (TDJ): Tania, thanks for taking time out to speak with The Daily Jaws. We are really excited to see a new entry to the Deep Blue Sea series. How did you get to be involved in Deep Blue Sea 3?
Tania Raymonde (TR): I met with the director and producers in LA and before I knew it I was doing handstands underwater in South Africa.
TDJ: Had you seen the first two movies? What did you think?
TR: I snuck in to watch the first “Deep Blue Sea” in theaters when it came out. I wanted a pet parrot (I still do.) It was a huge honour to continue the franchise!
TDJ: Did you have to do any special prep for DBS3? (scuba diving etc)
TR: I got PADI certified before we flew out, then trained with the Frog Squad in Capetown. We rehearsed a lot of the diving sequences before we shot, especially the underwater fight scenes, some of which were pretty tricky (clearing a full face mask underwater isn’t easy)
TDJ: Making movies is a lot fun, but a shark movie but be extra fun to make, right?
TR: It was winter in South Africa, so the water was freezing. Some puppets were used, but mostly the “sharks” on set were tennis balls on sticks. Everyone pees in their wetsuit, and if they tell you otherwise, they’re lying.
Tania Raymonde plays Dr Emma Collins in Deep Blue Sea 3
Sharks
TDJ: Have you ever swum with a real shark? If so, can you tell about the experience?
TR: Sadly not. But almost! I made a bet with director John Pogue that we’d go cage diving in Capetown before we started shooting (he agreed) but there was so much training involved before cameras rolled and I think there was a small concern I may get eaten before we started.
TDJ: Do you have a favourite shark? If so, which and why?
TR: Hammerheads. How cool would it be to look left and right at the same time. I feel similarly about Chameleons.
TDJ: What did you learn about sharks while making the movie?
TR: Climate change is killing sharks at a more accelerated rate than any other time in history. Their home like ours is under attack. This is a big deal!
TDJ: What would you say to people afraid of sharks?
TR: Please, take it from me, underwater deep sea diver extraordinaire, driving with my Mom on the freeway is far more dangerous.
Some sharks were puppets but most were CGI
JAWS
TDJ: Are you a JAWS fan? If so, can you share a little about your thoughts about the film and memories of watching the movie for the most time.
TR: GOAT. I watched it twice again on the plane ride over to get in the mood. It gets better every time. I often forget how FUNNY it is. Masterpiece.
TDJ: Where Jaws’ place in cinematic history?
TR: Shaw’s “USS INDIANAPOLIS” speech is one of the greatest in cinema history.
TDJ: Do you have a favourite moment in Jaws? If so, why?
TR: Shaw. USS Indianapolis. Nuff said.
TDJ: If you could be in a Jaws remake with an all-female cast to play Brody, Hooper and Quint, which character would you play and would you cast as the the other two?
TR: This is tough. I’d play Brody TO UTTER THE WORDS “YOU’RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BOAT”
Although, my alternate perfect lady version of Jaws would be:
Shelley Duvall- Brody
Shirley MaClaine- Hooper
Cloris Leachman- Quint
Right?
TDJ: Do you think Jaws could ever be remade / rebooted?
TR: ABSOLUTELY NOT!
TDJ: That is the correct answer! So what can fans expect from Deep Blue Sea 3?
TR: The biggest surprise about this one is that it’s a true action adventure movie, the whole set was built on hydraulics, like a huge sinking jungle gym, and most of the explosions and fight scenes were all done in camera for real. Never been on a cooler set my entire life.
Tania was interviewed Ross Williams for The Daily Jaws.
Deep Blue Sea 3 is released in theatres 28th July 2020.
