Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1515068
34 PRODUCTION SOUND & VIDEO – Spring 2024 by Püd Cusack NYAD In my early career as a Boom Operator, many of my mixers shared that working around the camera is like a ballet, a dance involving camera, sound, dolly, actors, and sometimes an additional grip or electric. These words definitely rang true at the highest level while working on NYAD, a ballet performance set on a Caribbean stage. NYAD (2023) is a film about a 64-year-old marathon swimmer, Diana Nyad, who succeeded in swimming from Cuba to Florida after multiple attempts. It was shot in the Dominican Republic, where one of a limited number of water tanks around the world is located. This tank offers unique water filming due to its proximity to the ocean's edge, creating an "infinity pool" effect. It provided a perfect setting for open water filming, which was essential for telling the story of NYAD. This was not my first time working on this Caribbean island. Only seven months prior to filming NYAD, I was in the Dominican Republic working on Lost City. I was fortunate enough to work with an amazing crew, but also learned that working in this beautiful landscape can be extremely challenging. Lost City is an action-adventure film, starring Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, and Daniel Radcliffe, filmed in multiple locations in the Dominican Republic. These locations included jungles, boat work, cliffs, waterfalls, mudslides, and more. After wrapping Lost City, I knew it would take a very special project to bring me back. That is when I received the call for NYAD. I have been athletic my entire life with a special affinity toward swimming. Because of my sense of adventure and passion for a challenge, I felt a strong connection with Diana Nyad and have followed her story for many years. This was the project for me. I was particularly excited when I learned that Annette Bening would play Diana Nyad and Jodie Foster would play Bonnie Stoll, Diana's coach and longtime friend. I had the privilege of working with Annette Bening briefly on Captain Marvel, but I had never worked with Annette Bening as Diana Nyad