An award-winning filmmaker and television host specializing in natural history and underwater programming, deGruy’s 30+ year career has allowed him to produce and film in the world's most remote and spectacular locations. deGruy founded the Santa Barbara based Production Company, The Film Crew, Inc., in 1979. The Film Crew houses full production and post-production facilities.
Mike deGruy has a BS in Marine Zoology and three years of a PhD program in Marine Biology at the University of Hawaii. He sits on several boards in Santa Barbara and speaks frequently in International venues.
Mysteries of the Shark Coast
HOST / PHOTOGRAPHY
Taking place in Eastern Australia, this 2-hr special visited little known areas of the Great Barrier Reef on a major study to determine what is happening to the dwindling populations of sharks and sea turtles. Heavy on expedition, adventure and research, this program presents a window into sharks and behaviors that will set the course for much needed updates to resource policies. Produced by Digital Dimensions for Discovery Channel, 2008
Pacific Abyss
CO-PRESENTER / PHOTOGRAPHY
This production puts 26 people on a 150 foot ship and for 6 weeks they sail 2000 miles through Micronesia. Starting in Chuuk (Truk Lagoon) and finishing in Palau, this landmark expedition visits scores of islands and people that no divers had ever seen. Included in the 5-part series are several dives to 400 feet using sophisticated rebreathers and finally, a one-atmosphere suit, the Newtsuit, capable of going to 1000 feet. Produced by the BBC and Discovery Channel, 2007
Perfect Shark
HOST
An innovative look at the history and design of sharks, using CG to create a “virtuarium” where deGruy travels through time looking at the sharks of yesteryear (and diving with them) and comparing them to the sharks of today. Produced for the BBC and Discovery Channel, 2006
Last Mysteries of the Titanic
UNDERWATER DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Jim Cameron’s final return to the doomed ship, Titanic. This live broadcast incorporated several “bots”, small ROV’s that penetrated the bowels of the Titanic revealing rooms and artefacts never before seen. Shot from the two Russian MIR submersibles. Produced for The Discovery Channel, 2005.
Amazon Abyss
HOST / PHOTOGRAPHY
Shot entirely on the Amazon River and its tributaries, this 5-part series looks for the first time at the amazing underwater creatures of this forbidden land and river. Using submersibles and specialized high-tech SCUBA equipment, we dived to over 180 feet to the far reaches of the Amazon, travelling over 1500 miles upriver. Produced for the BBC and Discovery Channel, 2004.
Sharks: Size Matters
HOST / PHOTOGRAPHY
A one-hour documentary for the BBC and Discovery Channel looking at the small sharks. This lighthearted film passes on the usual suspects in the shark world in search of the little guys, the sharks we rarely hear about as they are harmless to man. Shot on location the world over in 2003-2004. Produced by the BBC for the Discovery Channel.
The Abyss – Live (1 and 2)
HOST
Utilizing the Russian MIRs and American Perry submersibles, as well as Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute’s ROV Tiberon, this 3 1/2 hour live broadcast revealed unique images from 8000 feet from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to the sheer wall drop-off of Grand Cayman Island. Produced by the BBC and PBS Nature, 2002
Blue Planet
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Shot most of the program “The Deep” in this groundbreaking EMMY-winning series profiling the World’s Oceans and their inhabitants. Produced by the BBC and Discovery Channel, 2001.
Reboot – 35mm Commercial
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Client: Sun Microsystems; Production Company: Group X San Francisco
Shark Roulette
HOST
A two-hour special for The Discovery Channel analysing the data collected from years of tagging studies performed on sharks and suggestions on where and when it might not be a great idea to swim.
Tempest From the Deep
PRODUCER, WRITER, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
A one-hour film graphically depicting the drama and poignant impact the 1998 El Nino had on California’s marine mammals and kelp forests. Produced for National Geographic Television and recipient of numerous International Awards.
Incredible Suckers
PRODUCER, PRESENTER, WRITER, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
A one-hour film illustrating the vast diversity and amazing abilities of the Cephalopods: the octopus, squid, cuttlefish and chambered nautilus. This film is the recipient of many international awards and is a co-production between the BBC and WNET’s PBS series, “Nature”.
The Octopus Show
PRODUCER, PHOTOGRAPHY, HOST
A one-hour film produced for PBS’ NATURE and National Geographic. This light-hearted film looks at the unbelievable talents and behaviour of the Octopus and is the recipient of numerous International Awards.
Sharks On Their Best Behavior
PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, WRITER, PHOTOGRAPHY, HOST
An award-winning one-hour special for the National Geographic Society and the British Broadcasting Corporation. The film looks at the extraordinary behavior and diversity of sharks and their relatives.
Ten Deadliest Sharks
HOST
A two-hour special for The Discovery Channel looking specifically at the ten sharks responsible for the most attacks on man. This film details why and where these events may occur.
The Trials of Life
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
deGruy filmed extensively for this highly acclaimed and awarded series on animal behavior presented by Sir David Attenborough and produced by the BBC and Turner Broadcasting Systems. Sequences filmed by deGruy include Killer Whales taking sea lion pups off the beaches of Patagonia, the annual migration of lobsters in the Bahamas and Tiger sharks feeding on fledgling albatross in the Hawaiian Islands.
Life in the Freezer
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Six half-hour films illustrating the extraordinary behavior and the adaptations the animals of Antarctica must endure to survive in the world's most hostile environment. deGruy's filming took place on the surface of the ice as well as in the water under it. Co-Produced by the BBC and National Geographic.
The Life of Mammals
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
A 10-hour series produced by the BBC written and presented by David Attenborough. Through innovative techniques, this series takes us through the evolution and behaviour of the mammals like never before seen.
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
A one hour film deGruy shot for the BBC and The Discovery Channel in Guam and the Maldive Islands. The film explores the immediate threat to the world's coral reefs and looks at some of the current research being conducted to determine why our reefs are disappearing.
Sea Trek
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND HOST
An award-winning five part series produced by the BBC and National Geographic. Wearing specially designed “bubble helmets”, deGruy and his co-host recorded clear conversation underwater as they explored the natural history of five of the most spectacular dive locations in the world.
Islands of the Fire Goddess
DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
An award-winning one-hour film set in Hawaii. This film looks at volcanism from the throat of an active volcano to the fiery underwater end of the lava as it explodes and dies as while pouring into the sea. Explored are the unusual terrestrial and marine environments created by the volcano. Produced for the BBC series “The Natural World” and the PBS series “Nature”.
Mauna Kea: On the Verge of Other Worlds
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
A one hour special for Hawaii Public Television on astronomical observatories featuring the world's largest and most concentrated array of telescopes, shot atop the 14,000 foot summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Nautilus: 500 Million Years Under the Sea
PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, WRITER, CINEMATOGRAPHER
An award-winning half-hour film about the elusive chambered Nautilus and its molluscan relatives. Produced for PBS, National Geographic Explorer and the BBC.
The Fastest Claw in the West
CINEMATOGRAPHER
An award-winning half-hour film about the amazing mantis shrimp. A fascinating shrimp that has the ability to break glass and crack open and eat crabs, other shrimp and clams. Produced for the BBC and National Geographic Explorer.