September 6, 2006
When I heard the news of Steve Irwin's death the other night, I was stopped in my tracks. How could something like that happen? I was downright sick to my stomach.
This guy was such an amazing performer and the TV landscape is weaker without him. The loud Aussie was so over the top and such a caricature of himself, that it was just hard to turn the channel whenever he was on. Whether you thought he was an idiot, courageous, hilarious or completely compelling and informative, the bottom line is that his on screen personality jumped off the screen and took hold like a giant croc bite.
From what I've read since his death, Irwin truly wasn't in it for TV sake. Sure he was a marketing genius, but this guy was so passionate about the animals he was working with, and truly a great conservationist. It's a shame. And whether his death was a fluke or not, is totally irrelevant. The incident and result is tragic.
I'll be completely honest with you. When you're shooting a TV segment, there's a certain sense of focus that becomes so strong that it can engulf and overwhelm your common sense.
I remember several times where I've thrown caution to the wayside just for a better on camera bit.
The one that jumps out is when I let an 1800 pound bull charge at me with no protection whatsoever. When you slip into character and into the moment, you suspend reality for just long enough to become incredibly vulnerable.
I'm not comparing myself to the Croc Hunter by any means, but I am going to take his death as an eye opener, and possibly be more thoughtful next time when I stand face to face with danger.
perkout