Jim Pearson has done so much in and around the water throughout his life, it’s hard to know where to start. A Vietnam veteran, Pearson served as a US Navy Diver with Naval Special Operations Deep Sea while overseas twice, and then, once stateside, as a police team dive master. Pearson eventually parlayed his dive experience and boating skillset into a Southern California business. Cinema-Aquatics (cinema-aquatics.com) offers specialized underwater cameras and cameramen, boats, and film props for waterborne motion-picture productions. His firm—he is president and CEO—provides technical advisers, on-water safety and stunt coordinators, safety divers, and more for the film industry. Amid all this, Texas-born Pearson has still found time to volunteer as a US Coast Guard Auxiliarist, formerly serving as a Division Commander and currently as Division Staff Officer of Surface Operations for the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys of Southern California.
How did you get started in the film industry?
Not all actors are comfortable being on the water and might have no idea as to boating safety. Some might dislike being on the water for extended periods, and fewer still rarely enjoy being under the water if required by the script. Their safety often depends solely upon the support boats, operators, and professional water safety and rescue personnel. So, I saw a need for a company that could help ensure safety for the actors and everyone while filming movies and TV shows on and in the water. Also, marine and aquatic environments are tough on film equipment, especially cameras. So, I started providing less-expensive rental cameras for on-water film production. We called them “crash cameras.” I had 15 of them, and if one got damaged, I could just grab another, and get the damaged one repaired or replaced later and ready for another production.
What film productions have you worked on?
I have been involved in one way or another in about 3,000 titles, including movies, TV shows and commercials. Some of the most recognizable include CSI, U.S. Marshals, Star Trek: Generations, Charlie’s Angels, Indecent Proposal, 24, Shark Week, Melrose Place, Wings, Call of Duty: Ghosts and Beverly Hills, 90210. I have also been involved in music videos with groups and artists such as ZZ Top, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Selena Gomez, John Legend and Common.
Which production proved most challenging?
One was G.I. Jane, in which we simulated and filmed a special forces boat cast-and-recovery operation. The technique requires that multiple actors are positioned in the water in a straight line at intervals that allow a 30-foot RIB, powered by twin 250 hp outboards, to recover all swimmers in a sequence without stopping. As we got up to speed, the port outboard touched a sandbar, pushing us off course. I kept the port motor in forward gear, moved the starboard motor to neutral, and then reverse to torque the boat hard to starboard. This put the boat back on the right path, but with the first swimmer looming directly ahead. I adjusted to starboard, and my two crewmen manning the pickup (actual Navy SEALs) quickly caught the swimmer, and we successfully completed the run, gathering all the swimmers. Everyone, including director Ridley Scott, was happy but, with the risks, I asked not to do the same movement again, and the stunt coordinator agreed. To this day, in my dreams, I can still see the first swimmer in my path and feel the tension.
What kind of boat do you have?
I own 13 boats, which function in many different capacities, ranging from a 30-foot RIB, a 27-foot Sedan Bridge cruiser, 25-foot camera platform craft, multiple PWCs, and other smaller boats in vintage wood and aluminum. You never know what kind of boat or even a ship that a film script will call for, and I like to develop contacts and have access to as many types of boats as possible from many sources. All of my boats are stored on trailers to make them available for either ocean, lakes or rivers.
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What led you to the US Coast Guard Auxiliary?
I took a boating-safety class taught by the Auxiliary 21 years ago, and membership caught my interest. I became an Auxiliarist soon thereafter, and gradually rose through the ranks from staff officer to division commander. Being involved with the Auxiliary makes me better at what I do professionally and for recreation. Active membership has helped me apply our “risk versus mitigation” planning and maintain the best boating-safety measures on my motion-picture projects.
