Howard and Michele Hall are natural history filmmakers specializing in marine wildlife and marine environmental films. Together they have produced numerous films for television, including several episodes of the PBS series "Nature, a National Geographic Special," and the five-part PBS series "Secrets of the Ocean Realm."
Today, the Halls are probably best known for their IMAX films. Howard has directed several IMAX films, including "Into the Deep," "Island of the Sharks" and "Deep Sea 3D." (The latter two films were produced by Michele.) Howard has been director of underwater photography on several other IMAX features, including the MacGillivray Freeman IMAX feature, "Coral Reef Adventure." Howard and Michele also appear as stars in the film.
The Halls' most recent IMAX 3-D feature, "Under the Sea 3D," was released in IMAX theaters worldwide in February and can be seen locally at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.
What brought you to Del Mar? Michele and I love the Del Mar lifestyle. The beaches are beautiful and usually not crowded. The village is small and easily accessible by foot. And, of course, the weather is almost always better than everywhere else.
What makes Del Mar special to you? It's a small village oasis in a large city. The beaches and the Torrey Pines State Reserve are wonderful. We love being able to walk everywhere in Del Mar.
If you could snap your fingers and have it done, what might you add, subtract or improve in Del Mar? Snap: The fair is gone along with the racetrack and all the outsiders who come to Del Mar during those seasons. Snap: Baskin-Robbins opens a store next to Double Happiness.
Who or what inspires you? We're inspired by people who love wilderness, wildlife and open spaces and offer their time to help preserve them.
If you hosted a dinner party for eight, whom (living or deceased) would you invite? Neil Armstrong, Frank Lovell, Hans Hass, Loti Hass, Megan McArthur, Dr. Richard Pyle, Susan Taylor and Ed Campbell.
What are you currently reading? I'm reading technical manuals about new digital cinematography technologies. Michele is reading "Waiting for Autumn" by Scott Blum.
What is your most prized possession? My second most prized possession is my biomarine closed-circuit, mixed-gas rebreather. Michele says her most prized possession is me. You can guess now what my first most prized possession had better be.
What do you do for fun? Of course my work is fun. Both of us still love to dive. I also enjoy flying light sport aircraft (I have a light sport experimental in a hanger in Borrego Springs), I love to surf, ride mountain bikes and hike.
Describe your greatest accomplishment. Winning "Best of Show" at both the Wildscreen International Wildlife Film Festival and at the Jackson Hole International Wildlife Film Festival. I would trade all my Emmys for either one of these awards.
What is your motto or philosophy of life? Live in the moment and do your best to enjoy every one.
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