Ah, National Awkward Moments Day—a time to reflect, cringe, and laugh at the moments that didn’t quite go as planned. At Crystal Pyramid Productions, we’ve had our fair share of oops experiences over the years, and in the world of video production, awkward moments are practically an occupational hazard. Here’s a look back at some of our most hilariously awkward encounters behind the camera.
A Light, A Fire, and a Very Quick DP
Lights, camera… FIRE?! 🔥 One particularly explosive moment came during a shoot when a light decided to turn itself into a miniature firework in the middle of the final take. The bulb burst, sparks flew, and the crew collectively held their breath as our DP leapt into action like a special effects wizard (except this was not in the script). Crisis averted, shot ruined, lesson learned—always have a fire extinguisher handy.
Nick Simmons, Extra!… and a Plagiarism Scandal
We once had the opportunity to interview Nick Simmons (yes, that Nick Simmons—Gene Simmons’ son) for Extra!. The interview was professional, the footage looked great, and we were feeling pretty good about it. And then… the news broke. Nick was accused of plagiarism for his comic book Incarnate, with fans pointing out its eerie similarities to well-known manga like Bleach. The kicker? The interview never aired. Imagine if we had asked just one more question: “So tell us, did you write this all by yourself?” 🤔😂
Teleprompting for Tom Hiddleston… and Total System Failure
Picture this: Tom Hiddleston, standing in front of the camera, ready to deliver his lines. Our seasoned teleprompter operator, Patty Mooney, is prepared—except, instead of using her own trusted teleprompter gear, she’s working with the producer’s laptop and a less-than-reliable software app per his request. And just as Tom prepares to speak… the software freezes. Cue internal screaming. 😱
Patty is troubleshooting like mad, Hiddleston is waiting ever so patiently, and time is ticking away. The segment eventually got back on track, but let’s just say that was the last time Patty didn’t bring her own professional gear. (On the bright side, she does remember that Tom smelled absolutely amazing, so at least there’s that. 🤷♀️)
San Diego Comic-Con: When the Curtain Came Down (Literally)
San Diego Comic-Con is known for its epic panels, celebrity sightings, and pop culture mania. But sometimes, the real drama happens behind the scenes. During one panel we were covering, a massive curtain came loose and crashed to the floor mid-discussion. No one was hurt (thankfully!), but the gasps from the audience were unforgettable. It was like a scene straight out of a superhero movie—except the only superpower in the room was the moderator’s ability to keep a straight face.
San Diego Comic-Con: The Great Audio Blackout
As if one Comic-Con mishap wasn’t enough, there was also the time a local news station’s audio op made a very unfortunate decision. Right before a major panel began, he unplugged the mult box—the very box that had all the transmitters for multiple crews’ audio plugged in. One by one, sound feeds went dead, panic set in, and Mark had to sprint back to plug everything back in before the panel even started. Crisis averted, but only just. Next time? Maybe label the “DO NOT UNPLUG” cables in neon.
Awkward Moments? Roll With ‘Em!
In the world of video production, awkward moments are inevitable. Whether it’s a technical mishap, an unexpected controversy, or a set piece that just won’t stay put, the key is to roll with it. Every misstep makes for a great story later, and honestly, who doesn’t love a good behind-the-scenes blooper?
Got an awkward moment of your own? Share it with us—we’re always up for a good laugh.
#CrystalPyramidProductions #AwkwardMomentsDay #Bloopers #Oops #VideoProductionFails #RollingWithIt 🎬🔥😂
