03 Jun Behind the Scenes of Fountain of Youth: Marine Department
Whether working on one of Leavesden Studios’ most ambitious water set builds or coordinating location operations along Regent’s Canal, Marine Department’s latest collaboration with director Guy Ritchie showcases the scale and precision involved in delivering marine support on a production of this calibre.
The feature, Fountain of Youth, now in cinemas, saw the Marine Department involved from early prep through to wrap, handling both the tightly controlled studio sequences and the more logistically complex on-location work. As with previous collaborations with Ritchie, the brief demanded high energy, high precision and a flexible team ready to deliver on all fronts.
LEAVESDEN STUDIOS: AN AMBITIOUS SET BUILD IN AND AROUND WATER
Much of the water action took place at Leavesden Studios, where a large-scale set was constructed on the exterior tank – one of the most extensive water builds the Marine Department has been part of. “The scale of the structure demanded extremely tight coordination,” says the team. “We were responsible for all water-based operations, including actor and crew safety, vessel handling and stunt logistics during some of the film’s most technically demanding scenes.”
The team worked closely with the ADs, stunt department, and art team to plan vessel movement, tank operations and resets – often under tight turnarounds. “Comms are key,” they say. “We had to manage rehearsals, clearances and timing with absolute precision to maintain safety without slowing down production.”
ON LOCATION AT REGENT’S CANAL
After wrapping at Leavesden, production shifted to Regent’s Canal for key exterior sequences, where the challenge transitioned from controlled environment to live, urban waterways. “Working on the canal presented a very different set of challenges; tight space, narrow passageways, and a constant public presence,” the Marine Department explains.
On Regent’s Canal, we coordinated the chartering of a specialised vessel and also tackled the daily challenge of wrangling a full-scale floating shark (carefully guiding it out of the way each day).
COLLABORATION WITH GUY RITCHIE’S TEAM
Working with Ritchie’s long-standing creative team (again) brought a familiar rhythm, but each project brings new challenges. “With Fountain of Youth, there was a clear vision from day one; fast-paced, kinetic sequences involving multiple moving parts on water,” they explain. “We were involved in the early technical recces, planning how to achieve those beats practically and safely.”
The team highlights the value of early involvement. “Being in the room during early discussions allowed us to shape the water logistics in a way that supported both creative ambition and on-set safety. That kind of collaboration always results in stronger outcomes.”
LOOKING AHEAD
For Marine Department, Fountain of Youth was not just another credit, it was an opportunity to push boundaries in both studio and real-world marine coordination. “It’s rare to work on a production that demands so much in such different environments, from a custom-built studio set to navigating canals in central London”.
The result is a dynamic water-based sequence that reflects the high production values, typical of a Ritchie film, and the behind-the-scenes coordination that makes it all possible.