Oceanographic Magazine (OM): Why did you fall in love with the ocean? Was there a certain moment or event that springs to mind?

Andy Brandy Casagrande: “My fascination with the ocean began in my early childhood when I stumbled upon the astonishing realisation that sharks were real creatures and not just a figment of imagination. This pivotal moment ignited a deep-seated love for the vast, mysterious waters that cover our planet. As I delved further into the thrilling world of marine life, each new discovery fuelled my passion for the ocean.” 

OM: How did you become a wildlife filmmaker? How did you end up in that profession?

Andy Brandy Casagrande: “Becoming a wildlife filmmaker happened completely by accident. I was living in South Africa working for the White Shark Trust as a research cameraman when National Geographic came to make a documentary about our work. They offered me a staff job and the rest is history.”

OM: How did your passion for sharks develop? Did you always know that you wanted to work with sharks?

Andy Brandy Casagrande: “My passion for sharks started when I was a child. I would watch documentaries, read books and learn everything I could about them. As I grew older, I knew that working with sharks was 100% what I was born to do.” 

OM: What do you try to achieve with your films? What’s the main aim behind them?

Andy Brandy Casagrande: “With my films, I aim to inspire awe and respect for sharks and the ocean. My goal is to educate and raise awareness about these magnificent creatures and the need for their conservation.”

OM: How can formats like Shark Week promote shark conservation?

Andy Brandy Casagrande: “Formats like Shark Week can play a crucial role inspiring empathy and promoting shark conservation by showcasing their incredible behaviours and the importance of their roles in the ecosystem. Shark Week can sometimes overdo the hype, but I strongly believe that it creates more fascination than fear and does way more good than bad.”

OM: How have shark documentaries changed in the past 10 years? Have topics and conservation angles changed?

Andy Brandy Casagrande: “Shark documentaries have evolved in the past decade, with a stronger focus on conservation and the importance of preserving shark populations. There’s greater awareness of their ecological role and the threats they face.”