News Videos that went wrong – part one: animals

Many of our previous blog pieces on videos from across the Internet have featured works that successfully implement time-lapse and other established visual techniques in impressive & innovative ways.

But what about when things don’t go to plan?

This post is the first in a series that focuses purely on the weird and wonderful ways in which ‘DIY’ video projects can – and have – gone wrong.

Almost like the sometimes harmful mistakes we are used to seeing on the infamous television show, You’ve Been Framed, we bring you video selections that intend to make you laugh and cringe at some of the Internet’s most marvellous mishaps.

“FOX KILLS AND EATS my gopro”

Views on YouTube: 1,800,000

First up, as part of a university project to acquire footage of the wildlife at Round Island, Alaska, this photographer had some help from a furry, four-legged friend with sharp teeth.

With the GoPro placed on the floor in the hopes of gaining a close-up of the fox, the fearless animal gnaws and bites the camera before dragging it off for some distance.

After searching for the stolen equipment in the long grass the photographer eventually finds the damaged camera along with the footage of the fox’s mouth and very long tongue.

(Please note that no foxes were harmed in the making of this video!)

“Camera falls from airplane and lands in pig pen”

Views on YouTube: 20,600,000

Next up is a camera in the hands (or should I say, snout) of a more domesticated four-legged animal.

Following a free-fall from a sky-diving plane, the camera lands fully functioning in a pig pen on the camera-man’s own property!

Capturing its own epic aerial journey, the camera’s sight appears almost like a moving film reel as it spins uncontrollably for about 30 seconds as it plummets to earth.

It has to be seen to be believed.

(Again, no animals were harmed in the accidental making of this video!)

“Snowy Owl Chick Attacks GoPro Camera”

Views on YouTube: 4,000

To continue on the animal theme, we go from four-legged to two-legged creatures.

The beauty of this short video arguably comes from the way it captures the baby owl’s approach to the camera.

You can see that it’s battling with its innate inquisitiveness whilst, at the same time, remaining quite wary of this unusual object.

You can imagine this footage used as part of a wildlife documentary – all it needs is some David Attenborough-style narration.

“Caught On Camera: Leopard Runs Off With GoPro”

Views on YouTube: 350,000

And back to the four-legged for this final video of part one. Once again, when leaving your camera equipment outside unattended, always be prepared to contend with the wildlife.

‘The say curiosity killed the cat – but in this case the cat’s curiosity almost killed the camera.’

Roan Ravenhill, a ranger at the MalaMala Game Reserve in South Africa, wanted to capture the leopard and her 10-month-old cub.

Mounting the GoPro on a wooden stand expecting a steady, high quality view of mother and child, Roan instead got more of a handheld approach!

Check out for part two of “videos that went wrong”, looking at further mishaps from across the Internet.