With an immense amount of preparation and unparalleled attention to detail, 1820 Productions did the unfathomable and filmed a flooding home without using visual effects. 1820 teamed up with the Community Development & Revitalization department, under the Texas General Land Office, to create a spot that encourages Texas residents to sign up for flood insurance.
The idea was to juxtapose a scene of sitting idly by and ignoring your house flooding rapidly around you – This would emphasize the urgency of being prepared. But everything needed to be filmed practically to ground the absurd moment. To create an immersive experience, 1820 wanted to take their set to Atlantis by filling an entire living room with water. So how did they pull this off? It all started with finding the perfect location.
1820 found Fathom Tanks, an indoor water simulation tank used to train divers for rescue missions. This location, used on Fear the Walking dead, allowed the team to build the entire set dry in the empty tank. Then pump in over thirty thousand gallons of rushing water. If you have a thirst for details on this successfully waterlogged production check out their award-winning behind-the-scenes video.
1820’s “Don’t Ignore” spot won a Silver ADDY at the AAF Dallas Awards as well as 1st place for PSA at the National Association of Government Communicators, with the behind-the-scenes video winning a Bronze ADDY.
Creative & Production: 1820 Productions
Director: Korey Miller
Director of Photography: Jake Wilganowski
Executive Producer: Sara Madsen Miller
Senior Producer: Katelyn McCracken
Post: 1820 Productions
Sound Design: Dallas Audio Post
Color: Company 3
