Tornado Alley! An IMAX 3D Experience
A review by Tracy Cameron
Staff Writer
I recently attended a screening of Tornado Alley
with my mom. I was surprised to arrive and see the producer of the
movie, Sean Casey, outside. It was a pleasure meeting him. He is an
IMAX filmmaker and professional storm chaser. He directs, stars,
and is first unit cinematographer in the documentary Tornado Alley.
He also starred in the Discovery Channel’s "Storm Chasers" reality
series. The documentary was eight years in the making. Sean
built a Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV) in 2002 to get him to the
tornadoes with his camera. His first TIV started out as a 1997 Ford
F-450 pickup truck, but only the engine, transmission, and
drive-line remained after he made modifications to it to make it
similar to a tank. He brought one of the vehicles that follows
behind his TIV and parked it in front of the theatre.
Photo by Tracy: the grand IMAX
theater in Sacramento
He
was available to speak to before the screening, spoke before the
screening, and hosted a question and answer session after the
screening. I enjoyed listening to him speak about when he got the
idea to make the film, and about his girlfriend (now wife) driving
the TIV.
VORTEX2 is funded by the National Science
Foundation and has 11 satellite trucks and scientists studying
tornadoes. Sean Casey and his researchers of VORTEX 2 (scientists
who study tornadoes) go inside tornadoes using a 70 mm camera,
special vehicles including a Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV), and
advanced weather measurement instruments to find out why some
storms turn into tornadoes and some don’t. This information could
help save lives. In this IMAX film, you go with them. I enjoyed the
hail and storm scenes. I think someone who is really into tornadoes
and storm watching would really enjoy this movie.
Photo by Tracy: one of the
vehicles that follows the a Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV),
This theatre is beautifully restored, and has a well-stocked
concession booth. The staff was very friendly, and helped my mom
find seating at the top so that she wouldn’t have to walk far. Park
free at the Esquire Plaza lot location with ticket validation;
handicap accessible. See Tornado Alley at the Esquire IMAX Theatre,
1211 K Street, Sacramento. Ticket information, call (916) 446-2333x203 or
visit www.IMAX.com to pre-order
and see schedule of upcoming shows.
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