"Big-wave surfing is life-and-death," says 100 Foot Wave producer Joe Lewis. Photographed by Heidi Hansen Share on Facebook Share on X Share to Flipboard Send an Email Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Print the Article Post a Comment Though HBO's award-winning hit documentary 100 Foot Wave is about idealistic, daredevil surfers risking their lives to ride the biggest sets in the world, series director Chris Smith has defiantly noted that "it's not a sports documentary. It's a human drama. It's a story of the human spirit." This, of course, is what makes it such great television. "Big-wave surfing is life-and-death," says producer Joe Lewis. "Those who do it are so aware of their fears and how it makes them think about their goals. It attracts incredibly interesting people." Related Stories TV 'With Love, Meghan' Sticks to Original Recipe in Season 2 (Unfortunately) Lifestyle Breitling Becomes Official Timepiece Partner of the NFL Among them is an unseen hero of the production - one of sports' singular cinematographers, Frenchman Laurent Pujol, who has won two Emmys for his seaborne lensing of the first two seasons and is up for a third. The veteran former pro surfer - he had a 20-year career - now captures footage of perfectly slotted barrels, total wipeouts and the verité moments in between, all from the rear of a modified 260-horsepower Jet Ski. It features special foot straps and a custom backrest to stabilize him. "I become a human gimbal," Pujol explains of his rig, which he has employed as his subjects tackle monsters from Portugal to Hawaii. Fellow crewmembers shoot from the beach or clifftop positions, but he's the one wielding a RED V-RAPTOR for the key 4K close-ups of big-wave icons Garrett McNamara, Justine Dupont and Lucas "Chumbo" Chianca as they drop across skyscraping walls. On the often-existential show, the surfers reflect about how their endeavor exists at the intersection of honed skill and Zen patience. The same is true for Pujol. "This is about being in the right place at the right time," he says. "It's about provoking luck." This story appeared in the Aug. 20 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Live Feed 'With Love, Meghan' Sticks to Original Recipe in Season 2 (Unfortunately) Live Feed Brooks Nader Is Ready for 'Love Thy Nader' to Be Hulu's Next Sister-Centered Reality TV Hit Live Feed Charlie Hunnam Debuts His Ed Gein for 'Monster' Season 3 Sheridan Smith Ann Ming's Daughter Was Murdered. She Fought to Overturn the U.K. Double Jeopardy Law After 800 Years. Now, ITV's 'I Fought the Law' Tells Her Story. Live Feed 'Alien: Earth' Boss Noah Hawley on Making That Eyeball Alien Even Creepier in Episode 4 Sophie Turner Sophie Turner Urges New 'Harry Potter' Child Stars to Steer Clear of Social Media Amid Upcoming Fame Live Feed 'With Love, Meghan' Sticks to Original Recipe in Season 2 (Unfortunately) Live Feed Brooks Nader Is Ready for 'Love Thy Nader' to Be Hulu's Next Sister-Centered Reality TV Hit Live Feed Charlie Hunnam Debuts His Ed Gein for 'Monster' Season 3 Sheridan Smith Ann Ming's Daughter Was Murdered. She Fought to Overturn the U.K. Double Jeopardy Law After 800 Years. Now, ITV's 'I Fought the Law' Tells Her Story. Live Feed 'Alien: Earth' Boss Noah Hawley on Making That Eyeball Alien Even Creepier in Episode 4 Sophie Turner Sophie Turner Urges New 'Harry Potter' Child Stars to Steer Clear of Social Media Amid Upcoming Fame