When Tony Scott jumped off a bridge to his death, he did so in front of a boat full of tourists. Apparently all the tourists had their cameras out and recorded the event. According to TMZ, several of the tourists are shopping the videos of the death. There is footage from the time he first appeared on the bridge to the time rescuers picked him out of the water. I can't imagine who would want to pay much for the video. Do you want to be known as the program that aired someone's death? That being said, I guess it would generate a lot of hits on a website or ratings and if the price was right, I guess the risk would be worth it to someone.
I read this on TMZ this morning - they declined to purchase it. Showing some class, eh? :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad deal.
So awful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bunch of assholes.
ReplyDeleteWho does that? AWFUL!
I wonder what his opinion on his own death video being shopped around is, as a filmmaker. I wonder if he would say its art because he loved the medium so much or if it's still gruesome to him.
ReplyDeleteUm, sad event, sad commentary on our society, yet kind of ironic when you really think about it.
ReplyDeleteWRONG!!
ReplyDeleteHorrible. I don't want to see someone killing himself. The continued agony for his family is unthinkable.
ReplyDeleteSomeone will buy this though. I'm kinda surprised TMZ didn't.
Bloody phone cameras everywhere. Why not just enjoy the sights IRL - I'm sure there are professional videos available that are far better than the shaky crap you're going to bore your friends with.
ReplyDeleteEven if I were recording the sights, if I saw a man jump to his death, I'm sure I'd drop the phone and scream.
When did people become so detached from humanity?
That reminds me of Untraceable. Sad that people get thrills of something so sad.
ReplyDeleteHow sad
ReplyDeleteFaces of Death lives on!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jamie 2 - quit snapping pics and enjoy your life!
ReplyDeleteI hate taking pictures, but have two family members who are photographers, one professionally, and I know photography is an important part of the experience for him. It's just not for me.
I hope this poor man is resting in peace, and that his family can find comfort.
Oh wow Ingrid. I totally forgot about Faces of Death!
ReplyDeleteWhat about that movie The Bridge? Did anyone here see that?
ReplyDeleteI doubt tmz has any morals. Maybe the price was too high, or the footage wasn't focused or something.
So sad. Now I have 3 days to catch up on. And this was not how I wanted to start that. His poor family. Rest in peace. Please whoever has this video delete it!!! How dare you and shame on you for trying to make profits off of someone's death.
ReplyDeleteTacky and tasteless!!
ReplyDeleteFaces of Death is now 1000 Ways to Die on FX.
ReplyDeleteThis is awful. Whoever is shopping it around has a special table in hell waiting for them.
ReplyDeleteJust NO. I hope Karma bites these ppl hard for even thinking such a thing is ok.
ReplyDeleteProfiting off someone famous getting their jollies off- hedonistic & distasteful, but life takes all kinds I suppose.....but profiting off someone's death? I wonder if that designer bag or new electronic gadget is worth being a bottom-feeder and throwing your morals out the window?
Who am I kidding? I'm on a celebrity gossip site. For 90% of celebrities, it totally is!
Oy. People.
When I saw this headline I thought someone had (Photo)shopped i.e. faked a video. I should have known better.
ReplyDeleteVery sad for his family. Unbelievable to me that someone would film it, let alone keep it, let alone try to sell it.
Stay classy, viewing public.
ReplyDeleteFaces of death is awesome. I saw the cut from the Twilight Zone movie when Vic morrow and tw 2 kids died. Sad sad
ReplyDeleteAs a fan of findadeath.com, I can't really judge...*L*
ReplyDelete^ yet...it's awesome? ok.
ReplyDeleteWho would pay? Ridley would pay and that's why it's being shopped. Not to be seen but to be SQUASHED so it is never seen.
he's got a wife and children and other loved ones who I am sure will be devastated to see him commit suicide. but, everyone is out for a buck, so that isn't even considered.
ReplyDeleteUgh, tourists
ReplyDeletePeople are really surprised by this? Have you really not been paying attention to everything that's been happening in the USA for the last decade or so? Our country REWARDS the behavior of the bottom 30% on a regular basis, so of course someone out there was going to have video/pictures and was going to shop them around.
ReplyDeleteKudos to the people who have some record of this event and gave it to the police or kept quiet about it. The rest, well you're scum, but keep plugging away because there is someone out there who will give you your cash and 15 minutes of fame.
Disgusting. NO other way to put it.
ReplyDelete@ FS totally agree. Also applies outside the US, btw.
ReplyDelete@ Amy in MI; so if YOUR loved one is being filmed dying, you wouldn't object to it being put on youtube, as I understand it? Would it be "awesome"?
@ Linnea - I did see that documentary - I was mesmerized and obsessed while watching it! I just can't grasp the mental pain someone must be in to calmly jump off a bridge to their death - it combines three of my worst fears....heights, drowning, and dying :(
ReplyDeleteAmen, @FS. Our good old hyper consuming, morally corrupt, faux meritocracy of famewhores. Sigh!
ReplyDeleteWhat does that say about us as a society???
ReplyDeleteShameful.
My friend jumped off the golden gate bridge on august 11th at 6:30 pm. No note and or warning, spoke with him for two hours the previous sunday.
ReplyDelete@Supapimp - I'm so sorry. I can't imagine what you must be going through after having spoken to them so close to their actions. :(
Delete@supapimp
DeleteOh, I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. I hope you have a good support system around you
I'd like to add that personally, I feel that people feel detached from horrific events when they view them through a screen such as a cell phone cam.
ReplyDeleteJust last week there was a story at the Daily Mail about how many people drove by a woman trapped in a truck (I believe jaws of life were needed) and rather then just drive by, countless (20+) were recorded themselves, recording the event/tragedy on their cell phones.
Guess the timing was right for my group study project on "if our society as a whole has become desensitized because of the onslaught of technology?" And we're not talking video games and violence, we're talking a complete lack of empathy. And without even finishing my research, I conclude, yes.
This is nothing new - those of us who remember the 1980s recall the "Faces of Death" series that were popular then.
ReplyDeleteFS, not surprised at all. Just saddened.
ReplyDeleteThis is atrocious.
ReplyDeleteI had to watch Faces of Death for my social science class in the 7th grade at my uppity all girls school in Ct.
ReplyDeleteHowever, what is different is it WAS a big deal back then. Parents had to sign waivers, most opted out, thus their kids did not see the films.
Now, you can go on youtube and watch beheadings. It's common, and yes, people, especially the generation who don't know of life outside of a computer screen (and I'm not talking Aple IIE generation, but 90's and above) are totally desensitized to other people's tragic plights.
A few months ago, the public radio program On the Media aired a fascinating segment on "Faces of Death." It turns out it was pretty much a hoax from start to finish and they explain how some of its most famous scenes were faked: http://www.onthemedia.org/2012/feb/24/legacy-faces-death/
ReplyDeleteThose were more innocent times, to be sure. Today anyone can see the real thing on YouTube. The people hoping to cash in on their happening to capture Scott jumping off the bridge have no class.
@ Under The Big Skyy - I was in L.A. last month and I SO wanted to go on one of the Dearly Departed tours but they weren't doing any on that day. Very disappointing!
ReplyDelete*facepalm* *facepalm* *headdesk*
ReplyDeleteOmama - We have become very desensitized. As a fellow psych major, you must have studied Kitty Genovese. The poor woman was murdered in Queens and even with 38 witnesses, no one stopped to help her and only 1 person called police.
ReplyDeleteI always think of that story when I see shady stuff going down. What if I'm the only one to call?
If I was there I would have been screaming. Sads.
Another Death Hag checking in, although a very squeamish one--it's one thing to read about someone's demise (people in general are fascinating, and it stands to reason death is as well, since we're all going there at some point...), but I don't want to see any of the gruesome photos, videos, etc. of people dead or dying--heck, I don't even want to see Mr. Hands! (BTW, do NOT Google "Mr. Hands" or "Kenneth Pinyan" at work, OK? OK< you can read the Wikipedia article on the latter, but NO images, damn it--waaaaaay beyond NSFW...)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it's one thing to film something like this while in a state of shock, or if you think turning the video over the the police might help somehow, but trying to sell it for big bucks??? *shudder* Somehow I doubt there's a spot in Hell hot enough for people like that...
Omg!!!!! That's hysterical - I guess you could say he got it in the end...
DeleteFaces of Death scarred me for life. I watched the Budd Dwyer one, he was a politician who shot himself in the face in front of a group of people. So devastating. On another note: I saved my college roommate from commiting suicide. By chance I came home to grab something and noticed her sleeping (at 6pm very unusual for her) and she had a note on her bed. I read it and grabbed her ass and realized she swallowed pills so I jammed my hand down her throat and saved her life. She's a mom now, but we don't keep in touch. We both have never regretted what happened.
ReplyDeleteI hate people again. :( Is there no honor anymore?
ReplyDeleteAfter reading a few of the comments, I love people again. :)
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth, I saw on the news this afternoon that this man landed about 30 feet away from a tour boat doing a tour so I would imagine a lot of people had their cameras out prior to this happening and just happened to catch it. Not excusing those who are trying to sell the video and like FS said, congrats to those who gave their video to the police.
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with Faces of Death, but I did happen to catch some of 1000 Ways to Die and can tell you, they had one death supposedly caused by x-rays that COULD NEVER HAPPEN!!!!! The way x-ray equipment is made, it just couldn't happen. It was totally made up bullshit.
@Susan B- a storm is heading our way. Tracking?
ReplyDeleteIt is obscene that anyone would want to film a dead person.Does the act of holding up a camera or cell phone provide a barrier to the sad reality of the situation ,so people see the scene as if it were a movie, and unreal?
ReplyDeleteWhen I was young, my mom, dad, little brother and I visited Harper's Ferry, WV site of the John Brown Wax Museum. We went through the whole creepy exhibit and at the end my little brother and I protested because we wanted to see him hung (we were kids). My father yelled at us saying, and I quote, "You are all a bunch of goddamn ghouls!" This is the first thing that came to mind reading this story. What a bunch of goddamn ghouls.
ReplyDeleteCarebear you are a HERO!
ReplyDeleteHigh five girl!!!!
Linnea, TMZ actually does have a line they won't cross. It's a very tiny line, but it's there.
ReplyDelete@Dia - yes I do know of the KG incident. Sadly, I am a whistle-blower and have been since my boarding school days.
ReplyDelete*** even my enemies note that I am like Althea (tgd song), "honest to the point of recklessness."
ReplyDeleteToppled with what I picked up on the streets, sniffing out evil. I whistle-blow often without even meaning to, and I can't even help it.
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ReplyDeleteOmama! Whistleblowers Unite!
ReplyDelete@SusanB. Your comments made me think of a story I read this week about a guy in Europe who was drunk and fell asleep on a baggage carousel at the airport. I wondered about future health issues when I saw the photo of him inside the XRay machine.
ReplyDelete@Omama. Shock and disbelief that anyone would ever think that was a suitable film for school kids.
I am so pissed at myself for reading this after my kindness blind high. Agh.
ReplyDelete@dia
Along the lines of Kitty Genovese and nobody helping her. Last week I walked my kids down a really busy boulevard to go to the library, and I noticed a deaf paraplegic man had ridden his motorized wheelchair into oncoming traffic and the battery died in the middle of the street. He was stuck in the middle of the street and nobody helped him! I put my 35 pound 2-year old under one arm and my 40 pound 3-year old under the other, ran into traffic and tried pushing him with my butt but the chair wouldn't budge. Finally some man hopped out of his car after a 2 minute struggle and saved the day but I started crying as I walked away that no one helped him sooner. It was awful :(
I would have tried too. I hate that people just don't give a shit. I taught my boys to be polite and helpful. They hold doors open and rarely does anyone say anything...grrrrr
Delete@Sunny, that's why we are friends bc I would have done the same thing. That story made me tear up a little bit.
ReplyDeletePoor guy.
Sunny go read The Kindness again. It will cheer you up!
ReplyDeleteThen go look at the pic of Alyson in her happy bright red (orange) dress! Smiles!!!
Sunny- I would have done the same as well. I'm glad someone finally followed your lead and helped as well. I bet that man was terrified and you saved his day.
ReplyDeleteDon't be sad Sunny. Most people are happy to assist, they just can't make the initial approach. Keep being you, it does help and it WILL influence and empower other people to do the same.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFeel for you dia. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteAw dia, that's gotta be difficult to deal with and I can only imagine how frustrating and heartbreaking that situation must be like for your family.
ReplyDeleteMy roommate also asked me not to call 911 or her mom but I did both. I wasn't going to give up on her just because she wanted to. Plus I was 18 and terrified myself. I was not prepared for that at all.
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ReplyDelete@Dia
ReplyDeleteI can definitely see why you went into your field, Dia. I would imagine if you feel powerless in your family's situation, that it can be healing to know you are helping others who are seeking positive changes. Much love to you, my dear friend. I'm so happy your brother is here and doing much better
@astrogirl
Thank you darling. My eyes were welling up just typing that story, but I know you are right. I'm about to quote Matthew McConaughey here: "Just Keep Living" :)
@rejectedcarebear
I can't believe that happened with your roommate. Thank God you were thinking clearly and acted so quickly, and more importantly that you ran back into your room in the first place. That story gave me goosebumps xo
Hey guys, hugs to you all. I mean it - what an outstanding group of people :-).
ReplyDeleteSunny, can you give me the 411 on the info from Design chicky? What should I do to linkup with that?
I think it's horrible that people are trying to sell this but I don't necessarily judge them for filming it.
ReplyDeleteMany people today (especially the generation who came of age in the 90s and beyond) think of technology differently than when I grew up; being able to capture on "film" an event, a moment, a surprise is what they grew up doing. If you're walking to school and see a funny squirrel fight, you don't just describe it to your fiends, you whip out your cell and show them the video.I do it all of the time (and I am certainly before the generation of which I'm speaking). I can totally see recording what you're seeing on your tourist boat and then a jumper appears...and turning your recording attention to that. It's likely many people weren't even actively thinking, "WOW! I'm going to record that!"
But to sell it for profit? Sick.
@Frufa
ReplyDeleteYes! Can you hop back over to Reader Photos 1 from yesterday? I am so weird about posting certain things in sad posts. . . see you in a sec
Sunny. I was thinking more along the lines of lots of practice. Caregiving from an early age.
ReplyDeleteMy mom and I are cool now. I love her and know that she didn't have an easy childhood either. She can only use the tools she has. Do I sometimes wish it was different? Absolutely.
I have to admit, I have mixed feelings about the situation. Yes, it is ghoulish to attempt to profit off of footage like that.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's inherently ghoulish that people filmed him, though. I doubt the average witness figured out he was a suicide before it was too late. They probably flipped up their phones because they were thinking, "What is this guy doing? Is this a stunt for an extremely low-budget action movie? Is he a BASE jumper? Did he lose his favorite hat? What is the trick?"
I think that the documentary on the Golden Gate Bridge jumpers is a good example of how such footage could be informative without being sensationalistic. It's morbid as hell, but it does provide the viewer with a certain amount of insight to the psychology of the jumpers.
Let's face it, the guy jumped off a damn public bridge in the middle of the day on a busy weekend. It's not like nobody was going to notice. He picked the time and place, and he acted with intent. I don't think it's all that fair to blame the bystanders for insensitivity per se. (Just the TMZ shill. That guy sounds like a real d-bag.)
How sad and disturbing. How long was he up there before he jumped, obviously long enough for people to suspect he might jump so they started filming it? Tragic
ReplyDeleteDomestic Chicky, I love that you're teaching them to be respectful of others. Too often I see rowdy or rude kids giving cheek to older citizens and it saddens me.
ReplyDeleteOne day those boys of yours will grow up to be caring, loving husbands and fathers, be proud don't let others with bad manners ever dissuade you.
Thank you - depending on my mood, I either just thank the boys myself, or shout "you're welcome!" to the person who ignored them :)
DeleteI love CDaners.
ReplyDeleteChicky that's hilarious I do the same thing when people don't acknowledge good manners.
ReplyDeleteMy pet peeve is drivers who won't give me a thank you wave.
Astro! I always wave!!!! Haha.
ReplyDeletedia I knew you would. :). I also blow kisses to road ragers, though I must admit I am stirring mischief with that move.
ReplyDeleteferaltart where in Australia do you live?
ReplyDeleteNight Aussie friends! Hope your Wed is going well!
ReplyDeleteWhat I love about this site is that we can have a totally sub-human, squicky subject like people trying to sell this footage, but by the time I get to the bottom of the comments, I'm feeling better just knowing that there are good people out there and some of them come here regularly.
ReplyDeleteI've been the "hand of fate" that intervened in many thankfully unsuccessful suicide attempts... Only one of them ever tried it again and succeeded that time. I've lost too many friends and family to it to count at this point. The thought of someone not only witnessing those acts of despair but recording it and THEN trying to sell it? Is incomprehensible to me.
Yay for TMZ and Harvey for holding that line.
Please, no
ReplyDeleteHe must have known this would happen given the time of day and location of his very public suicide.
ReplyDeleteIf I saw a person who looked as if they were about to jump from a bridge and there was nothing I could do to stop him/her, the LAST thing I would think of is getting out my cell phone/camera. I'd never be able to get rid of that vision. :(
ReplyDeleteSick.
I taped this show for a week when Seth Meyers guest hosted. Thank GOD he turned it down. Kelly seems nice (?) but incredibly cheesy. This seems like a good match.
ReplyDeleteWhy was Anderson ever an option when he has his own talk show (not to mention his CNN show)?
According to witnesses, he jumped without hesitation and there were lots of people taking a picture of the bridge from boats. Doubt many had time to react?
ReplyDeleteI don't know if anyone already mentioned it but after watching the documentary about people jumping off the Golden Gate bridge I'll never look at that bridge the same way ever again. Even watching the beginning of Full House where they show it makes me feel depressed. I don't know how anyone could even function after seeing that in person. I guess there really are some sick morbid people out there. Would they like it if it were THEIR family member doing it? Come on.
ReplyDelete