Overcoming Challenges in Documentary Filmmaking

Making a documentary film is no easy task. My freediving documentary, "One Breath," almost didn't happen at all. I poured all my savings into it, flew to Ibiza, and imagined this grand vision coming to life. But reality had other plans. What was supposed to be a week-long shoot turned into just two frantic days. I left feeling defeated, questioning if I'd made a terrible mistake. For a long time, the footage sat untouched—a reminder of what I saw as my failure.

But setbacks are never the end of the story. With time, support, and a fresh perspective, I found a way to bring "One Breath" to life. The journey taught me valuable lessons about filmmaking, resilience, and embracing the unexpected, which I hope might help others facing similar struggles.

The Concept and Inspiration Behind 'One Breath'

The idea for 'One Breath' was rooted in my love for underdog stories and the deep relationship between humans and nature. After 'The Eagle Huntress,' I sought something equally powerful but in a new environment. The ocean, with its vastness and raw beauty, drew me in. I discovered freedivers Christina and Eusebio on social media, captivated by their bond and their passion for the sea.

In May 2015, I reached out to them via email, inspired by their underwater photography and by July, I was in Ibiza filming with them.

Challenges in Documentary Filmmaking

Documentary filmmaking is full of challenges, and "One Breath" was no exception. From the start, it seemed like everything was working against us. I had spent all my savings to get to Ibiza. Money was tight, so I traveled as cheaply as possible. I stayed in a hostel, shared a room with strangers, and even slept with my camera gear in bed, afraid it might get stolen. I put everything on the line for this story, only to find that we had to cancel most of the planned filming. I had barely anything to show for it.

I'd had this vision of what the film would be, and suddenly, that vision was shattered. When I got home and started looking at the footage, I didn't know how to make it work. I didn't have the story beats I needed, and I felt overwhelmed by hours of random clips that seemed to go nowhere. It was like trying to build a puzzle with half the pieces missing.

Eventually, I reached a point where I knew I couldn't do it alone. I hit rock bottom and realised that if I wanted to finish this film, I needed help. I called a friend who was an editor, and that decision became the turning point. Filmmaking is about collaboration, leaning on others, and admitting when you need support.

Overcoming Setbacks in Film Production

The unexpected positive that saved "One Breath" came in the form of Christina and Eusebio’s personal archive footage. When they handed me a hard drive full of their old videos, I didn't expect much. Honestly, I thought it was just a desperate attempt to patch something together. But as I began combing through the material, I found gold. The footage was intimate, raw, and incredibly powerful—moments I could never have captured myself. It brought a new depth to the story, showing their journey in a way that my two-day shoot never could.

Reflecting on this experience, I realised that sometimes the best footage isn’t what you plan to shoot—it’s what you already have if you’re willing to look at it differently.

Documentary Filmmaking Techniques Used

One of the things that makes "One Breath" unique is that I didn't show the characters being interviewed—it was just a voice-over interview. I wanted their voices to be a guide while the visuals carried us through their world. It created a dream-like, almost meditative quality, especially during the underwater scenes. When I first received Christina and Eusebio's archive footage, I wasn’t sure if it would work, but going through it made me realise the power of blending personal moments with cinematic B-roll. It was humbling to see that the footage I hadn’t shot—their footage—could be what truly brought the story to life. 

Lessons Learned from Making 'One Breath'

The biggest lesson I learned from making "One Breath" is to always finish your projects. Getting it to "good enough" is better than abandoning it. I also learned the importance of resilience and asking for help. There’s no shame in admitting you need support—whether it's emotional, creative, or technical.

"One Breath" became a story of perseverance—not just for Christina and Eusebio, but for me as a filmmaker. The film ended up screening in over 100 cities, and seeing the audience hold their breath during the world record dive scene was incredibly rewarding. It showed the power of storytelling.

To anyone out there struggling with their own projects, I’d say: keep pushing forward. It might take longer than you expect, it might not be perfect, but the act of finishing has its own magic. And always remember why you started—to tell a story, to connect, and to inspire respect for the natural world and our place within it.