John Roney is a Canadian wildlife videographer who is currently dedicating his work to capture Indonesian marine life, that Arts Help writer Nehaa Bimal has previously interviewed. He goes to dive sites in Borneo, Papua, Ambon and other Indonesian islands to capture the wildlife whose habitats now neighbour popular tourist destinations. With added commentary and wildlife facts, Roney’s picturesque and high quality documentation of marine life is tailored to garner people’s appreciation of these animals. At the end of the day, these videos are a call to action for anyone visiting the sites, reminding divers that they are visitors who should respect native wildlife. This is why Roney’s work is relevant to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Life Below Water.
Roney’s videos are made for film and television, what sets him apart from his contemporaries is his propensity to tailor make his videos for social media. He creates short form videos that showcase the beauty and magnificence of different ocean animals both big and small, ensuring that his content is available to a wider range of audiences who are not subscribed to streaming services or have the means to access traditionally distributed documentaries. Some of the sights seen in Roney’s videos includes a manta ray gliding gracefully, an Omura’s whale energetically following a boat and a Giant Nudibranch skillfully swims against the currents.
Oftentimes, as was the case for his Nembrotha Nudibranch video, Roney adds self made voice-overs. ”While filming a blue Lollipop Tunicate in the shallows of Wainilu, Indonesia, I spotted a Nembrotha Nudibranch chomping away at its base,” he opens playfully, explaining the animal’s daily routine. These voice-overs help his social media followers engage further with his content, drawing them in as bite-size documentaries they could watch in the span of a minute.
He has also announced that he will be releasing his first feature film, The Cinematic Ocean: Indonesia soon. The film has already won Best Cinematography at the 2024 Dana Point Film Festival, making it an event to look out for. Roney’s focus on Indonesia comes from the fact that it is an archipelago with over 51,000 square kilometres of coral reefs and 81,000 kilometres coastlines. However, a study done by JARI Foundation found that over 40 percent of the Indonesian coral reefs are now lost or seriously damaged. JARI Foundation managed to pinpoint overfishing and water pollution as the two leading causes of reef damage. This is why educational tools, such as Roney’s videos are imperative in aiding conservation and preservation of Indonesia’s marine life.
John Roney’s captivating videos of Indonesian marine life serves as both a celebration of the ocean’s wonders and a vital call to action for conservation and preservation. By showcasing the beauty and diversity of Indonesian marina animals through high-quality, accessible content, Roney educates and inspires a broad audience to appreciate and respect underwater ecosystems.
Find out more about videos by John Roney and their other initiatives by checking their Instagram on @roneydives.