Discovery Channel - Storm Chasers

me, Joel Taylor, Chris Chittick, Reed Timmer


The email I received was a little misleading – or maybe I’m just anxious for stardom. I was asked if I could be available for a filming that was to be in Norman one morning last week. I read it as a nationwide Bud Light commercial. Gleefully, I thought to myself, “I am getting ready to hit the big time – my talent has been noticed and I’m going nationwide in a popular beer commercial.” Maybe the Norman pub should have been my first clue: Bison Witches. I could just see those of us who were to be filmed imbibing in this glorious liquid while the shoot was progressing. Falling off our barstools might be a deterring factor. In my joy, I probably read the now erased email incorrectly. It was probably worded Nationwide / Bud light.

All slicked up and smelling good, with my three changes of clothing in tow, when I reached Norman I realized that both Nationwide Insurance and Bud Light were sponsors of the television series “Storm Chasers”. This was to be a promotional spot for the upcoming series on the Discovery Channel. Still it is going to run nationwide – but there was no foamy Bud Light on hand.

The three men, who are heavily involved in the show, were filmed telling about their experiences. Chris Chittick, Reed Timmer, and Joel Taylor all live in Norman and travel the country following hurricanes and tornadoes. Their photos are next to “WACKO” in the dictionary! What a fascinating avocation they have. Chris is the lead videographer for the team and tour director of Extreme Tornado Tours. Reed is in the process of finishing his PhD in Meteorology at the University of Oklahoma this year. Joel is owns two real estate companies in the area and spends his spare time chasing these tornadoes. Both Reed and Joel chased the F5 tornadoes that hit Oklahoma City, Moore, and Midwest City on May 3, 1999 - the strongest one ever recorded. Those of us who were extras in the filming sat in booths close to the three of them. We had to move our mouths in silent talking as WE were to be seen and not heard. Their stories were vivid and fascinating, and I can’t wait to see the show.

These young men chase the tornadoes in a specially converted 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe. They have named their Storm Research Vehicle (SRV) the Dominator. Macho, intimidating, and tough - a very strange looking automobile. It has bulletproof sheet metal and transparent lexan armor. I assume that is to protect them from wayward rocks or cows. It even has radar and air cannons that shoot data-collecting probes directly in a funnel. You can read more about this interesting vehicle on their website http://tornadovideos.net.

My fellow thespians (are we considered thespians if we do not talk?) were Tom Stephenson, Josh Bonzei, Yazzie Barve, and Emily Tabb. Emily Tabb is a buddy from a Winstar Casino shoot earlier this year. It was good to see Emily again. My favorite Assistant Director, Lance McDaniel was there.

PS – I can change the “?” in my last blog title to a 1. I was awarded the part of “Steve” in Bryan Cook’s movie, “Touching the Sun.” I will be writing about that soon.