The shoot was an "endurance test" where the line between acting and genuine terror often blurred. No Cutting Edge But His Own - Journal - Metrograph
: The water was heavily over-chlorinated to prevent algae growth, causing the crew’s hair to turn white or green and leading to chronic skin and ear infections. Near-Death Incidents and Actor Trauma Under Pressure: Making 'The Abyss'
: Two giant tanks were filled with over 10 million gallons of water to simulate the lightless ocean depths. The shoot was an "endurance test" where the
: To mimic the deep-sea abyss, the production floated 20 tons of black plastic beads on the surface and covered the tanks with a massive tarp to block all sunlight. Under Pressure: Making 'The Abyss'