Interview with Joseph TorresAssistant Cameraman for "The Crocodile Hunter Phenomenon." |
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Everyone remembers when the Crocodile Hunter Hosted Animal Planet's Save Me Sunday and the Crocodile Hunter Phenomenon Exclusive comercials. Most Crocodile Hunter fans got a good laugh from them and it was great for bringing people to watch the Crocodile Hunter for the first time. I had the good fortune to run across Joseph Torres, a camera man for the Crocodile Hunter hosts Save me Sunday and the Crocodile Hunter Phenomenon clips. I had an interview with Joseph Torres, below. Mr. Torres also donated pictures taken during his time filming in Australia. Please note there is a copyright on them all. -Richard Bull (Editor) THE INTERVIEW BULL - I understand you were working at the shoot of "The Crocodile Hunter Phenomenon" clips, and "The Irwins Host Animal Planet's Save me Sunday." How did you get to be filming the "mocumentary?"TORRES - Yes, I traveled to Australia in September of 1998 to work for Animal Planet in conjunction with Nelson Page Productions and Revolver Films. I got the job through the cameraman, Steve Priola. He and his brother Mark own Revolver Films and I have worked with Revolver on previous projects. Steve worked on other projects for Animal Planet. I was not involved with these projects because they were shot on video (as is The Crocodile Hunter) and I only work with film. They asked him, along with our sound man Dan Norton, to go to Australia to work on these Croc. Hunter segments. Steve wanted to take someone with him that he trusted to maintain the camera, the film stock and all the other accessories that go along with a shoot like this. When you are 7500 miles from home, you don't want to forget anything and you want to feel that there is nothing to worry about. Steve told them, if he was going, I was going. BULL - Where did the Shoot take place? How long did it all take? TORRES - We shot all but one day at the Australia Zoo. We shot 3 days there and then shot most of the Croc. Hunter phenomenon the last day in a little town named Dayboro.  BULL - What, exactly, was your job at the shoot?
TORRES - I was working as First Camera Assistant. Basically, my responsibly is the camera. The camera does not move unless I move it. I am responsible for all maintenance, I load the film on the camera, and I am responsible for the focus during the shot. On this show I also worked as a spotter for the cameraman, as he had his eye to the camera and could not see where he was going or what was going after him. BULL - Who was directing the shoot, and how many other camera men were there? TORRES - The director was Wayne Page, the writer was Jeff McCarthy, the executive producer was Carole Tomko and the producer was Jaye Toellner. The was no other cameraman on this project but Justin Lyons, who works as a cameraman with Steve Irwin, was shooting some Hi8 video. Sort of home movies. BULL - What did you do during your filming breaks? TORRES - We had little time to ourselves. We were staying in Brisbane, which is about an hours drive from the Zoo in Beerwah. So on top of our 8 to 9 hour shooting days, we had a two hour drive a day. We would go out to dinner and return to the hotel, prepare for the next day and go to sleep. Not much time for extracurricular activities.  BULL - What was your favorite part of the shoot? The funniest?TORRES - It is so hard to single out on single event or even one day that stood out from the other. Everyday was a new challenge and experience. Perhaps the funniest was the day we shot Steve Irwin running around for the Croc. Hunter Phenomenon. He ran himself ragged and we laughed our selves silly but he was such a good sport about it. BULL - Was there a scene that had to be shot over and over again till it was right? TORRES - Most of the stuff we shot was more documentary style than traditional Hollywood style with individual takes. We would just keep the camera rolling and see what we could get. Of course, when working with animals, it is hard to predict what they are going do and where they are going to be. So you just shoot and get what you can get. It helps that Steve and Terri know these animals so well, we let them tell us what to shoot and where to stand. Steve briefed us on our scout day about working with the animals. He would not allow us to use the same croc. two days in a row. Steve is very concerned about the health and well being of his animals and wanted to make sure that we did not over tire the animals, which could lead to their injury. BULL - After meeting Steve and Terri, how would you describe them?  TORRES - All I can say is what you see is what you get. I work in the film industry and get to meet many famous people. Sometimes people who are very popular are not very nice people in person or they are very different from their public person. This is not true with Steve and Terri. They are kind, gentle, accessible and very funny. I know people see Steve get excited on t.v. about an animal and think that he is just playing up for the cameras. This is not true. They do not "act" for the camera. That is how the idea "croc. hunter phenomenon" documentary came about. There are many people, especially in Australia, that do not believe Steve Irwin is real.Everyone that worked on the crew had a story or two about how people they met did not believe that Steve really did what he does. That it was some sort or trickery. I even had an experience in the Brisbane International airport, when we were leaving. I was in a shop buying some souvenirs. The lady that worked their asked me what I was doing in Australia (she could tell from my accent that I was American). I told her I was there working on a animal t.v. show for American t.v. (I did not tell her which one). She then said to me, " Have you seen that fella that wrestles the crocodiles. That guy is such a fake. You can tell it is not real. Those animals are all drugged, you can see when he picks them up, their tongues are hanging out and their eyes are rolled back in their head." Not wanting to argue, I told her I didn't know who she was talking about. This is a perfect example of how some people feel about Steve and what he does. It is truly a shame because he and Terri and all the people who work at the Zoo, care dearly about animals. Not only the ones in the park but all animals. It is sad that people think that it is all fake, it really belittles what they do to try to save endangered animals. BULL - If given the chance would you film with Steve and Co. again? TORRES - Yes, without hesitation, they are great people to work with. And from what Steve told us he would love to work with us again too. BULL - Have you ever been a fan of the crocodile hunter? TORRES - Yes, I was fan before we started work on this project. We filmed in Australia in September but also shot some in July and October. I had started watching the show before we shot the first one in July. I was one of the few crew members who got the all the jokes because I actually watched the show. BULL - Well, Thanks Joseph. It was a pleasure speaking with you. I hope we can speak again sometime. Once again, Thanks a lot! Be sure to visit Joseph's webpage at: |
