LOS ANGELES — The world of live camming is abuzz over the latest mobilization technologies that allow cam models to broadcast to fans anytime, anywhere — but of all the challenges this new tech poses, one that was likely never considered was “shark attack.”
Yet that is exactly what happened on Florida’s sunny seacoast when CamSoda’s Molly Cavalli was testing the company’s new 4K mobile hardware solution by being lowered into a shark cage surrounded by lemon sharks, a normally docile breed.
Unfortunately, Cavalli was attacked in the process and immediately rushed to a local hospital where she received 20 stitches to close the wound.
“I want to thank my fans for their outpouring of support as I heal my foot following the shark bite,” Cavalli says. “Luckily it only required 20 stitches.”
“I’m fine. It’s not that bad,” Cavalli adds. “I had a great experience anyway and now I have a story to tell forever.”
CamSoda VP Darren Press says the company has been diligently working on the development of a mobile hardware solution that will allow its models to broadcast live from anywhere in the world — land, sea or air.
“After a tedious developmental process, we wanted to test it out with an underwater broadcast,” Press explains. “We figured having some sharks circle by would only enhance the overall quality and make it that much more engaging.”
As a result, Press tapped Cavalli, Camsoda’s Head of Models, to partake in the inaugural broadcast and set sail off the coast of Florida with a shark cage.
“Our intention was to have Molly quickly dive into the shark cage with the camera and begin broadcasting as lemon sharks circled nearby,” Press explains. “From what we gathered, lemon sharks are predominantly docile and relatively harmless. During the broadcast, a shark approached the cage which made Molly nervous. She swam up to the surface as the shark approached. Her foot rose above the protective net and was bitten.”
Press notes that staff immediately pulled Cavalli out of the cage and rushed her to shore, where she ended up receiving 20 stitches at her local hospital.
“We are especially grateful to the doctors and staff for their exceptional care,” Press adds. “While this was a serious incident that we are gravely distraught over, we do intend to continue to test our mobile hardware solution in the coming weeks.”
It is a practical approach, but this random incident is not likely to be the last eyebrow-raising episode to hit this new form of communication — or to stifle its growth.
“This is a technology that will surely have a major impact on the industry at large, taking the camming experience out of strictly the bedroom and into our everyday lives,” Press says. “We owe it to our fans to continue to forge ahead and make this readily available to the masses.”
XBIZ Miami attendees participating in the annual Scuba Spectacular later this month will likely see lemon and other sharks, providing industry members with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience these impressive animals in the wild, sans cage — bring your own camera.
