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Are you a shark lover? This past month SharkCon returned to Tampa, Florida. The convention founded and operated by Executive Director Spencer Steward celebrated its 12th year!
The event focuses on the education and conservation of sharks. In addition on the focus of learning vs fearing the toothy inhabitants of the sea, SharkCon offers much more! The con features a vendor room and celebrity guests as well! Past guests have included Lea Thompson and Louis Gossett Jr. of Jaws 3-D (1983).
This year one of the main highlights included a guest appearance by the father of sharks himself, Anthony C. Ferrante. Ferrante is best known for his franchise Sharknado, featuring six films, with a seventh in the works. The director’s other notable horror films include Boo (2005) Nix (2022).
Ferrante spoke on his two newest projects; Water Park Shark and The Shark that Roared.
The Shark That Roared
The Shark That Roared is a documentary based on Jaws 4: The Revenge. The documentary is the brainchild and directorial debut of director Mike Gencarelli, with Anthony Ferrante and Nick Graystone as producers. Recently, longtime Jaws fan Kevin Smith of Jay and Silent Bob jumped on board as an executive producer who was also interviewed about the film.
The documentary features Jaws 4 actors speaking about their experiences on set, including; Lorraine Gary (Ellen Brody), Lance Guest (Michael Brody), and Mario Van Peebles (Jake).
The crew traveled to Martha’s Vineyard where it all began in Edgartown, the town that transformed into the fictional island of Amity. Many of the shooting locations where the movie was filmed in Edgartown still stand today. These notable locations include the American Legion Memorial Bridge, aka the “Jaws Bridge”, and the Brody house.
The crew also flew to Nassau, the Bahamas where the last installment of the Jaws franchise was filmed. Local cast, crew, and stunt coordinators were interviewed. In addition they visited ‘Jaw’s Beach’, where the infamous scene of the Great White shark attackinf and sinking Hoagie’s twin-engine Cessna plane was filmed.
Water Park Shark
After Ferrante spoke on the new Jaws 4 documentary, he held a viewing of his latest movie, Water Park Shark. The film revolves around mutated sharks that break into a New England waterpark using a water pipe that leads from the ocean to the theme park. Once inside they have an endless buffet of swimmers to feast upon… and yes, waterslides to chase them on. It is just as fun and ridiculous as it sounds! In fact, it was Ferrante’s intention for this movie to be a comedy. It was his only stipulation when discussing the idea with producers.
As the audience waited for the lights to dim, a large beach ball sporting the movie’s title was volleyed back and forth in the crowd. Additionally, posters and red lifeguard whistles were distributed among the fans. What happened next was movie magic.
As the film rolled, fans used the whistles as a call and return. Every time the lifeguards blew their whistles on screen, the audience would sound theirs back! Enthusiastic whistles would also sound in unison during over the top kills with fountains of blood and ridiculous acts of lifeguard heroics. The spontaneous and enthusiastic response in the crowd was electric!
Water Park Shark is a movie that begs for midnight showings filled with audience participation, Rocky Horror Picture Show style!
A Q&A with the entire cast followed the viewing, many of whom had never seen the movie before. In attendance was; David Chokachi, Chelsea Gilson, Matthew Dame, Kacie Patricia, Snow Feng, Michael Shaun Sandy, Hector Bacerra, and Brigdon York. Based on the success of the first film, a follow up was playfully teased among sharky grins from the cast and crew.
SharkCon 13 Coming in 2027!
SharkCon has already announced it will continue swimming towards a 13th year! In 2027 the convention will be held on the weekend of July 17-18, once again at the Florida State Fairgrounds.
Each year the marine awareness convention grows. More vendors are added to the roster, and bigger guests are announced. New for 2027 will be a tattoo alley! The tattoo artists in attendance specialize in sharks, marine life, and everything under the sea.
Be sure to swim on by and get your fill of shark education, listen to both experts and celebrities speak about our finny friends, and maybe even get your love for sharks immortalized on your skin!