What Storm Chasing Taught Me About Filming in High‑Pressure Environments
- Mike Forrester
- May 3
- 3 min read
Most people hope for calm skies and predictable weather. I spent years chasing the opposite.
Long before Orlando Corporate Media existed, I was behind the camera in some of the most extreme environments in the country — tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, and everything in between. That work eventually led to a live, in‑studio interview on CNN, where I talked about storm‑chasing tours, severe weather, and the technology that made it possible to safely get close to some of nature’s most violent events.
“This year, we're chasing with Josh Wurman and the Center for Severe Weather Research and his Doppler on Wheels trucks. So we'll actually be able to see up close, high‑resolution Doppler images live of any tornadic activity.”
That moment on CNN was a highlight, but it was only one chapter in a much larger story.
Getting Started: Shooting for The Weather Channel
I began filming storms while living in Atlanta, shooting video for The Weather Channel. That work quickly expanded into covering hurricanes, tornadoes, and winter storms as a field videographer. Severe weather doesn’t wait, and it doesn’t give second chances — you learn to work fast, stay aware, and make decisions under pressure.
Those early assignments taught me how to operate in unpredictable environments while still delivering clean, usable footage. It was the foundation for everything that came next.
Chasing Independently — and With the Best in the Field
As I met other storm chasers, I began chasing independently and collaborating with some of the most respected names in severe‑weather research.
I chased with Josh Wurman and the Center for Severe Weather Research, riding alongside the Doppler on Wheels teams — the same mobile radar trucks featured in countless documentaries and scientific studies. Seeing high‑resolution Doppler data in real time while positioning for a tornado was an experience few people ever get.
I also chased with Sean Casey, riding in his Tornado Intercept Vehicle while he filmed scenes for his IMAX productions. Being inside a reinforced vehicle designed to withstand tornadic winds is something you never forget.
Over the years, I filmed more than 50 tornadoes, each one different, each one demanding total focus.
National Geographic and Hurricane Katrina
My work eventually led to assignments with the National Geographic Channel, including coverage of Hurricane Katrina. That experience reinforced the importance of documenting events accurately, safely, and with respect for the people affected.
It also taught me how to operate in chaotic, high‑stakes environments where communication, preparation, and technical reliability matter more than anything else.
The CNN Interview
In 2006, CNN invited me to their Atlanta studio for a live interview about storm‑chasing tours and the growing interest in severe‑weather experiences. We talked about safety, forecasting, technology, and the people who traveled from around the world to witness tornadoes up close.
The interview highlighted how storm chasing had evolved — and how technology like mobile Doppler radar was changing what was possible in the field.
Watch the interview at the end of this post.
How Storm Chasing Shapes My Work Today
Storm chasing may seem worlds apart from corporate video production, conference coverage, and live streaming — but the skills translate directly:
Preparation matters. You don’t chase storms without a plan, and you don’t walk into a conference without one either.
Situational awareness is everything. Whether it’s weather or a live event, you stay ahead of what’s coming.
Technical reliability is non‑negotiable. In the field, equipment failure isn’t an option. The same is true for live streams and corporate productions.
You learn to stay calm under pressure. Storms don’t care about your timeline. Neither do live events.
You adapt quickly. Conditions change. Schedules shift. You adjust and keep rolling.
These experiences shaped how I work today — and they’ve even shaped my business in unexpected ways.
When I lived in Atlanta and ran a different company, I landed my largest client ever simply because he was a weather enthusiast who followed my storm‑chasing posts. All it took was a few photos and stories on my website — proof that authentic experience resonates, and that the work you do outside your main business can still build trust and connection.
Looking Back — and Looking Forward
Storm chasing was an unforgettable chapter of my career, and the experiences I gained continue to influence how I approach production work today. Whether I’m filming a keynote, building a multi‑camera interview setup, or live streaming a corporate event, the lessons from those years are always with me.
If you’d like to see the full CNN interview, I’ve included it below.
Here's the YouTube link to the CNN interview: https://youtu.be/kim2BKgqfXY
