The truth behind David Attenborough’s new ocean documentary – including how involved he REALLY is and the underwater shots that look ‘too good to be true’

From the technology behind the stunning underwater shots to how the renowned environmental advocate shaped the new documentary, director Keith Scholey has revealed everything about Ocean With David Attenborough. 

Produced by Silverback Films and Open Planet Studio, the National Geographic film premieres tomorrow (June 8) and dives, quite literally, into the underwater world. 

Ocean is narrated by the celebrated broadcaster and filmmaker as he reflects on how exploration under the sea has developed over his lifetime.

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From fish trawling to marine reserves the documentary, which was directed by Toby Nowlan, Keith Scholey and Colin Butfield, explores why a healthy ocean is so important for the planet.

The film features amazing clips of sea life that almost look too good to be true, including the largest school of yellowfin tuna ever caught on camera. 

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From the technology behind the stunning underwater shots to how the renowned environmental advocate shaped the new documentary, director Keith Scholey (left) has revealed everything about Ocean With David Attenborough (right)

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From the technology behind the stunning underwater shots to how the renowned environmental advocate shaped the new documentary, director Keith Scholey (left) has revealed everything about Ocean With David Attenborough (right)

Produced by Silverback Films and Open Planet Studio, the National Geographic film premieres tomorrow (June 8) and dives, quite literally, into the underwater world

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View gallery

Produced by Silverback Films and Open Planet Studio, the National Geographic film premieres tomorrow (June 8) and dives, quite literally, into the underwater world

Ocean is narrated by the celebrated broadcaster and filmmaker as he reflects on how exploration under the sea has developed over his lifetime

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View gallery

Ocean is narrated by the celebrated broadcaster and filmmaker as he reflects on how exploration under the sea has developed over his lifetime

Award-winning producer Scholey told MailOnline how every single piece of footage is real, despite how incredible it looks, and new technology was used to capture it. 

‘It is all, all real,’ Scholey insisted. There’s one specific, crystal-clear shot that shows dolphins swimming effortlessly, which the director explained ‘is captured by a new technique’.

‘Basically, we invented what we call a tow cam, and it’s like a torpedo device that you drop out the back of your boat, and it’s got a camera in the back and cameras in the side,’ he said. 

‘And then we attach all sorts of things that dolphins will find interesting around the end of the tow cam.

‘They see this thing behind, dragging behind a boat, and they think, wow, let’s go and have a look at it. And you get these amazing shots.’

Scholey revealed what would go on with sea life around the camera and explained that other creatures, including tuna and false killer whales would be attracted to it from behind.  

However, it isn’t easy technology to use and Scholey admitted: ‘We had used crude versions of it, but this is the first one where we got it right.’

He added: ‘It’s quite difficult to to get the thing to sit stably in the water far enough behind the boat, so that it doesn’t get in the wake of the boat and everything there’s all. 

Award-winning producer Scholey told MailOnline how every single piece of footage is real, despite how incredible it looks, and new technology was used to capture it.

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Award-winning producer Scholey told MailOnline how every single piece of footage is real, despite how incredible it looks, and new technology was used to capture it.

'It is all, all real,' Scholey insisted. There's a crystal-clear shot that shows dolphins swimming effortlessly, which the director explained 'is captured by a new technique'

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‘It is all, all real,’ Scholey insisted. There’s a crystal-clear shot that shows dolphins swimming effortlessly, which the director explained ‘is captured by a new technique’ 

Scholey revealed what would go on with sea life around the camera and explained that other creatures, including tuna and false killer whales would be attracted to it from behind

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View gallery

Scholey revealed what would go on with sea life around the camera and explained that other creatures, including tuna and false killer whales would be attracted to it from behind

The producer has worked with David Attenborough since 1981 and says he is always 'very hands on'

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The producer has worked with David Attenborough since 1981 and says he is always ‘very hands on’

‘There was all sorts of complications. But it was wonderful because he because you don’t see what you’re getting. You know, you see the dolphins. You think, oh, they’re looking at it. 

‘But you it’s only until you pull the thing aboard and you look at what’s captured on the camera.’

The producer has worked with David Attenborough since 1981 and says he is always ‘very hands on’.

He revealed: ‘The sort of technique has always been the same. I think that David usually sort of works out the the overall kind of structure of what we do, we then go away and we research and research and research, we find all the best stories and what have you and we come back to him.’

The renowned environmental advocate was involved the the ‘very collaborative process’ of creating the documentary. 

‘He’s always very, very hands on about the final words, narration,’ Scholey added. ‘Obviously he’s saying them. All the responsibility hangs on the great man, he’s very important.’

During Ocean, Attenborough himself is filmed but also provides a constant voice over, describing the scenes and providing information to the viewer. 

The renowned environmental advocate was involved the the 'very collaborative process' of creating the documentary

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The renowned environmental advocate was involved the the ‘very collaborative process’ of creating the documentary

During Ocean, Attenborough himself is filmed but also provides a constant voice over, describing the scenes and providing information to the viewer

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View gallery

During Ocean, Attenborough himself is filmed but also provides a constant voice over, describing the scenes and providing information to the viewer

Scholey branded Attenborough as 'one of the best narration commentary writers ever' and gushed how he is 'very skilled at it'

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Scholey branded Attenborough as ‘one of the best narration commentary writers ever’ and gushed how he is ‘very skilled at it’

Scholey branded Attenborough as ‘one of the best narration commentary writers ever’ and gushed how he is ‘very skilled at it’.

‘He’s very, very skilled at writing for his own delivery, obviously the two things go hand in hand, how he writes and how he delivers,’ he added. 

‘And that’s why you get this amazing performance.’