Why?

• To create understanding, respect, and empathy for the animals.

• To create an emotional experience that reflects reality, not fantasy.

• To undo years of damaging misrepresentation that has fueled fear of sharks.

• To increase the public’s willingness and sense of urgency to protect sharks.

• To make the public familiar with sharks as they really are.

• To replace mystery and fantasy with reality.

• To promote Respect Not Fear.

• To end years of fear and ignorance

• To change the way people think of sharks.

Sharks have been fueling a whole sector of the film industry for years. With a new approach, we can turn this bankability into a benefit rather than a detriment for sharks.

Can shark films support sharks?

There is no possible way to make all shark media completely realistic and strictly science based. The entertainment industry thrives by delivering what audiences want and by entertaining, first and foremost.

The public has come a long way since the first JAWS movie, and these days many people realize that monster movies are fictional. Nevertheless, they are affected by the imagery.

But despite the messaging of the film, which may be sensationalistic in nature, the production can have a positive impact by making clear that the story is fictional and that it does not represent the true nature of sharks, and that the producers recognize the importance of sharks to our ecosystems and our way of life.

We can leverage the power of big screen and TV productions that focus on sharks and make positive use of the notoriety and attention. By collaborating with the industry, we can start to put the fictional nature of most film in perspective and use the press and media attention to shine light on the cause.

How?

For years the shark conservation community has been conflicted by shark films and documentaries that exploit sharks. Disagreement and frustration with the messaging of scary shark films and shark attack documentaries is at the core of everyone that loves sharks. We have complained, but change comes very slowly. Sharks cannot wait for the general psyche of people and the entertainment industry to change. We have to stop being purists and figure out ways to make the most of a situation that, on one hand, is very limiting, but on the other hand, could also be very powerful.

We must find better ways to collaborate with the entertainment industry and start engaging the enormous potential of the creative community. They are the conduit to reaching the masses. They can help us change the tone and find ways to enlighten the world about the true nature of sharks.

If we want to protect sharks, we must get the public to understand and care. Only then can we push action to a new level. This can only be achieved if we elevate the status of sharks in the public’s mind through the use of creative, visual media and storytelling that appeals to millions of people around the world.

A symbol of a new approach

The ProSharkMedia symbol can be promoted to show a commitment to shark conservation.

(in development)