In my short film I've got a fight that happens underwater. Will it look alright shooting from above the water in a pool? (I don't really trust a homemade camera housing and i don't wanna shell out $$$ for a professional one) If it will definitely look dodgy, does anyone have any other ideas about how to do it?
I own a housed video camera. Yes they are expensive, to much for just one use. But you can rent housed video cameras. There is a place around here in Los Angeles that rents them. The cost is not all that much either.
But, be warned, you will need time to learn to shoot in the water. Scuba is the way to go but you will need training and some months of experience.
Some of the issues to watch out for are (1) Color balance. If you cut the footage from the housed camera with footage from other cameras or the same housed camera but from different depths you will run into "color continuity" problems, some times so bad you can not balance it out in post. But at shallow depths you will be OK with out CC filters (2) Lighting. Light falls off very quickly in the water. You will just have to work it out. (3) keeping the camera aimed and in focus. "Stuff Moves", the shots are very hard to set up. but you can use a weighted tripod. (4) If not in a swimming pool or tropical location it will be cold. Actors will need to work quickly, get out and warm up and then an hour later more takes. Camera man can wear a wetsuit and weight belt.
You will need at least one assistant in the water doing nothing but watching ready to help. Unless it is a pool then he ca stand on the side.
Your best bet is to hire some one who knows what they are doing and has their own equipment. If this is a truly amateur film, then ask around. Lots of people have and use under water cameras and might be happy to help. If you are near Redondo Beach, CA ask me.
For about $250 up front minus whatever you can get for it on eBay after you're done, your UW shot will be about 1,000,000x better.
You can rent top quality equipment for that price. Those soft housings are a pain to use. The water pressure, even at 6 feet of depth presses the bag onto the controls making then hard to use. A goo housing will have controls on the exterior of the housing suitable foe use even with gloved hands.