Storms Of 2010 DVD?

[Wes Carter]

I want to help with this in any way I can. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew, but I want to contribute something. I'd be glad to do the cover, liner notes/sleeve, or something of that sort. Also, I could help build the website if needed. I am just now getting into editing video and by no means am I near anywhere as accomplished as most of you, but could help if that's where I'm needed.

 

[Bill Hark]

A few thoughts on SO2010.

I think this is a very good project considering the worthwhile cause of helping victims of storms. There have been several deadly tornadoes so far this year. SO2010 is also an opportunity for some good chaser publicity. I would rather see an article about chasers raising money for storm victims than chasers getting in the way of EMS or VORTEX vehicles.

There is a lot of great video out there but as said earlier, the difficulty is the editing, distribution and marketing of the project. It is crucial that most of the work is divided by a large group of people yet have a very small group in a leadership role. Greg makes a great point about the importance of big team. I know many chasers tend to be rather individualistic. Those who are working on the project should make an extra effort to be cooperative and if something they don't like happens, just suck it up and go on with a smile.

For marketing, there is much potential for spreading the word about the project and selling DVD's. A press release could be sent out to newspapers and television stations especially those with weather blogs. There are a lot of people who follow Stormchasers (TV series) and VORTEX on social networking sites and maybe they could put in a word about the SO2010 when it is completed. There are also a number of independent weather related blogs and message boards that could be used for promotion.

I think there will be a lot of decent video which should remain focused on tornadoes with maybe a small hurricane bonus section if we get a big storm landfall with good video. Ideally, the SO2010 should be about 1-1 &1/2 hours on a single layer DVD but that may not be possible with the amount of potential video. Options include a two DVD set or a single dual-layer DVD. There are advantages and disadvantages to both options that can be discussed later. I've dealt with both when releasing my own chase highlights. Blu-ray was mentioned earlier but I don't think it is cost effective at this time.

For up front costs of replication and production, having one or more underwriters would be helpful. Maybe even The Weather Channel could donate though big corporate entities operate on a much slower timescale than we have. Other possibilities include local television stations, small businesses and chasers.

As for myself, I have a lot of great video this year. I could also produce a chapter and help with some research and promotion. Finally, I am willing to make a donation to help off set intial replication costs. Isn't there still a 501(c) organization associated with this? I am looking forward to this endeavor.

Bill Hark

 

[Scott Olson]

I'm with Shane, I would like to see SO XXXX die off and a more ambitious project put in it's place.

Something that uses proffesional production, something that is more targetted in how the charity money is distrubuted. And I mean no dis-respect to those who have spearheaded this project in the past Greg, Mickey, Verne you all rock. I just would like to see a wider effort that has bigger disturbution takes advantage of press releases, interviews and most of all, tells a broader story about not just the storms but the people who chase them. The whole experience.

 

[NickSeyour]

TVN will probably make a storm chase 2010 video later this year if that's what your asking about I'll so buy it

 

[rdale]

TVN will probably make a storm chase 2010 video later this year if that's what your asking about

No. That's not at all the discussion.

 

[Rob H]

I don't see why SO XXXX can't morph into something more ambitious, unless there is some stigma attached to the name that can't be shaken. I'm a proud Sundance-rejected filmmaker and a project manager at work, so I'm not frightened by the prospect of doing at least a chapter. I'll Rochambeau someone for dibs on doing 5/10/10

 

[Bill Hark]

I don't see why SO XXXX can't morph into something more ambitious...

I think the actual production of the SO series has been very ambitious and overall of very high quality. A lot of work has gone into those segments. Increasing the advertising and distribution would be the best way to be more ambitious.

In past years, having different people edit each chosen tornado day has worked well along with having the chapter editors or others do the background music and radar animations. In past years, specific closed message board has been used for producers, editors, sound folks etc.

As for this year, there are a lot of potential days for the production. I think March 8, April 22, May 10, 19, 22, 24, 25, 31, June 5, 10, 16, 17, 20 and
maybe April 24 (if enough tornado video can be found) are good choices to consider.

Bill Hark

 

[Jason Foster]

I don't see why SO XXXX can't morph into something more ambitious, unless there is some stigma attached to the name that can't be shaken. I'm a proud Sundance-rejected filmmaker and a project manager at work, so I'm not frightened by the prospect of doing at least a chapter. I'll Rochambeau someone for dibs on doing 5/10/10

Actually this was something I was in the mindset of as well. In part, retitling and remaking the format and such. At one point, I had in my head of actually just taking the project leadership 100% myself (with or without ties to the SOx folks). But since folks have decided to reinitiate the series (or so it appears) this is the kind of project to work together on, no compete with. I truly hope that those that have stepped forward (or others not seen here) will be utilized, as needed. It is a large undertaking considering the amount of film/video that will be submitted and good project management is certainly key.

 

[MatthewCarman]

Since there was so many dates maybe we can have two discs and add 2 more hours of footage? Have a few bonus chapters for 2009 and a few for members who passed away like Eric Flesher and that would make a good 2 disc pack. You could even have a bonus chapter for a historical outbreak that occured before 2004. The more the better im my opinion. I would be willing to pay a little more money for that. Just an idea.

 

[Bryan Stokes]

Since there was so many dates maybe we can have two discs and add 2 more hours of footage? Have a few bonus chapters for 2009 and a few for members who passed away like Eric Flesher and that would make a good 2 disc pack. You could even have a bonus chapter for a historical outbreak that occured before 2004. The more the better im my opinion. I would be willing to pay a little more money for that. Just an idea.

Matthew,

I don't know if you realize it, but that would be a LOT of additional work for the person who takes on this project. Perhaps it would be best to keep it focused on 2010 events and not outbreaks from years past.

Bryan

 

[Scott Hammel]

I think another key would be for whomever takes a certain event or day to make as a chapter submits as finished of a product as possible. I have a lot of interest in doing a chapter about the Las Animas, CO tornadoes on April 22nd and have the resources to get audio, music, post production, narration, and animations all done myself. Obviously I know not everyone has those resources but submitting as polished a project as possible saves a lot of other people work. So I guess what I'm saying is; don't volunteer to do a chapter unless you know for sure that you can get it done and don't get in over your head...

 

[Bill Hark]

I think another key would be for whomever takes a certain event or day to make as a chapter submits as finished of a product as possible. I have a lot of interest in doing a chapter about the Las Animas, CO tornadoes on April 22nd and have the resources to get audio, music, post production, narration, and animations all done myself. Obviously I know not everyone has those resources but submitting as polished a project as possible saves a lot of other people work. So I guess what I'm saying is; don't volunteer to do a chapter unless you know for sure that you can get it done and don't get in over your head...

Scott is right though in past years there was collaboration on some chapters. In many cases, one person would edit the video and a different person would add music or a score. For exaple, I did a chapter on the Enterprise, Alabama tornado in 2007 and it was scored by a different person. There are a number of very talented individuals who either didn't want to or couldn't edit video but did a great job adding music. There were also some who were helpful in getting radar animations or Google flyovers.

Bill Hark

 

[Shane Adams]

Matthew,

I don't know if you realize it, but that would be a LOT of additional work for the person who takes on this project. Perhaps it would be best to keep it focused on 2010 events and not outbreaks from years past.

Bryan

I agree with Bryan...

Although I'm basically against it because every year it seems we have 23,000 people wanting it and about 3 volunteering to actually do the work (video submissions don't count), I think if the project does happen it should be 2010.

2009 got left behind because nobody wanted to do the work. IMO trying to implement the year that nobody cared about into the 2010 version is just a reflection of the overall "it'd be great to do this and that" attitude but not wanting to put any of the work in. I say screw including anything from 2009 because nobody stepped forward when it WAS 2009. Move on and focus on the year at hand...or once again....just scrap it altogether.

 

[Rob H]

I'm also for leaving out 2009. Eric and Matt need something in a 2010 DVD, and maybe having more events/less time per event all on one disc would make the chapters more manageable for those working on them.

 

[cdcollura]

Good day all,

I like everyone's input after I started this thread. I will be more than happy to do a chapter, and even one showing damage footage, from April 24, and / or May 22.

Now the next step will be to see how much tropical footage we can get too!