Synopsis

 

Running time: 48 Minutes
Video Production Format: DCI 4K.
Primary camera: Sony FS7 (DCI 4K)
Other cameras: RED Komodo (DCI 6K), Arriflex 35-3 (Super 35mm film), Custom-made 16K video camera system.

Filming for the production began in 2017 and took place primarily in Texas, but additional content was captured in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Iowa, Wyoming and Oklahoma.

From the creator of “The Chasers of Tornado Alley” (1996) comes a new look at storm chasing. Written and directed by filmmaker and veteran storm chaser Martin Lisius, "The Chasers of Tornado Alley: Touching the Sky" (July 2024) is a documentary film about storm chasers and their quest to find answers through nature.

Lisius wrote and presents the film in these chapters:

  • Tornado Alley – Encompassed primarily by the American Great Plains, this is where a unique combination of ingredients come together to produce storms like no other place on earth.

  • The Chaser – What is a storm chaser and what compels them to hunt down these powerful storms? You may be surprised to hear what they say.

  • Guardians of the Universe – This chapter examines the contributions storm chasers make to their communities to help keep them safe from the impact of severe weather.

  • The Supercell – Cinema in the Sky – A unique type of thunderstorm responsible for producing the most power tornadoes ever recorded. Lisius incorporates some of his most spectacular cinematography here.

  • The Tornado – A rapidly rotating column of air in contact with the ground that can create wind speeds approaching 300 mph. It’s more than just a cloud of swirling water vapor and debris.

  • The Big Day – A day when all of the ingredients come together to produce a historically significant tornado event. This chapter is both adventurous and insightful.

  • Calm after the Storm – A time when these storm chasers pause and reflect.

THE PRODUCTION

Produced, written and directed by
Martin Lisius

Associate Producer
Kim George

Director of Photography
Martin Lisius

Narrated by
Rich Summers

The Chasers
Keith Brown
Cheryl Chang
Bob Conzemius
Chuck Doswell
Jennifer Dunn
Carson Eads
Marc Gebhard
Andrew George
Kim George
Steve George
Chris Gullikson
Bruce Haynie
Jason Jordan
Martin Lisius
Tim Marshall
Marcia Perez
Matt Phelps
Robert Prentice
Scott Rae
William T. Reid
Dan Schmidt
Matthew Starkey