Ocean Stunts & Stunning Cinematography on Maui
When your call sheet includes water stunts, jet skis and a cast of lifeguards, you know you’re in for something special.
Earlier this year, Over the Edge returned to Maui to shine a light on female first responders, which included some epic cinematography and way too much fun.
If you’ve watched Rescue: HI-Surf on FOX, chances are you’ve already seen our work in the commercial breaks. FOX Entertainment partnered with Over the Edge to produce branded promos for the hit series in collaboration with Herbal Essences and the #SeeHer initiative.
Rescue: HI-Surf x Herbal Essences
The FOX series Rescue: HI-Surf is a scripted drama based on Hawaii’s elite ocean safety officers [lifeguards] and first responders who protect one of the world’s most unpredictable coastlines.
For this branded campaign, led by FOX creative director Charles Berlepsch, Over the Edge was tasked with producing a 30-second national commercial and a 90-second digital feature spotlighting the real-life heroes that the show is based on.
From dawn patrol setups to sunset hero shots, every frame was designed to honor the power and grace of Hawaii’s women on the front lines—balancing cinematic visuals with raw authenticity.
Director Charles Berlepsch prepping the scene.
#SeeHer: She’s a Hero
#SeeHer is a global movement launched by the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) in partnership with The Female Quotient, committed to increasing accurate representation and portrayal of women and girls in media. Its guiding principle—“If you can see her, you can be her”—aligns perfectly with our own mission as storytellers: to make sure the real heroes get seen.
Behind the Lens: Cinematographer Tony Deleo
Cinematographer Tony Deleo framing the shot.
Ask anyone who’s filmed on the ocean and they’ll tell you: water doesn’t care about your shot list. But when your director of photography says, “I’ll bring my weight belt, mask, and fins,” you know you’re in good hands.
It just so happens that one of Over the Edge’s favorite cinematographers, Tony Deleo, lives in Hawaii. Tony has lensed many of OTE’s biggest shoots, including a commercial starring Patrick Mahomes and other star-studded productions.
And while Tony always kills it in a studio or on set, he might be most at home while out in the elements. As an avid surfer and director of photography for many seasons of Nat Geo’s Life Below Zero, Tony is the kind of pro who gets beautiful shots whether you put him in tropical waters or the Arctic Circle.
“One of my favorite things about working with OTE is how they prioritize prepping for a shoot,” he said. “Mike has a background in camera, so he’s able to make more technical considerations when building the schedule. Pair that with a local producer like Brad and you really start feeling like you’re insulated from failure. We jumped on a call to review the deck, talked through gear, crew, and schedule — and we were off,” said Deleo, talking about OTE’s Executive Producer, Mike Leonard, and long-time OTE collaborator/seasoned TV & film producer, Brad Starks, who resides on Maui.
Even with all that preparation, nothing truly prepares you for shooting in open water.
Tony recounts, “The biggest challenge for me was the water unit work. It’s humbling to try to track a subject in the water, managing focus and exposure all while breathing through a little tube,” he laughed. “Watching the first playback made me second-guess if I could actually capture what I had in mind — but after a few more takes, those ended up being some of my favorite shots.”
Executive Producer Mike Leonard and Director of Photography Tony Deleo having zero fun.
That favorite shot? A split-second moment of chaos and grace — the jet ski carving through a rescue, spray catching the light just right.
“My favorite shot is the water shot of the ski making a save; just one of those instances where the shot’s imperfections seem to add to the intended effect instead of distracting from it,” said Deleo.
A Maui Connection
Just six months prior to filming this project for FOX, Over the Edge founder, Mike Leonard, was on Maui, yet again, filming with first responders. This time, he was directing and producing an hour-long documentary for NBC about the devastating wildfires that destroyed the historic town of Lahaina claiming over 100 lives. Through heart-wrenching interviews and first-hand footage, the episode of NBC’s Survival Mode is an emotional collection of stories from first responders, residents and visitors who were all united that day by the worst of Mother nature and the best of humanity.
