My copy of The Storms of 2007 arrived last night and despite a few editing snafus, it's pretty good. It's too bad the Greensburg EF5 was a night tornado as the video quality is really poor for the most part but Darin Brunin still did a good job tying it all together. The Elie, MB EF5 is INSANE. Next time someone argues a tornado has to be big to be powerful, show them this video of a 30 some odd yard wide drill bit ripping the down apart. It's crazy. Overall it is a good production and hats off to all the chapter producers and contributors. Good stuff.
On the flip side, this project needs some stronger (or at least stable) leadership. I think Mick Ptak bit off a mighty big piece of steak to chew when he stepped in as the lead producer at the last minute. He was already busier than a one legged man in an ass kicking contest with his work/family stuff without taking this on. I'll probably get kicked in the nuts for this next statement by Greg Stumpf and Jim LaDue (but according to Doswell's letter, this is what we have first amendment rights for LOL). The puppet strings need to get cut on this project for the future success. If the founders of this project want it done a certain way then BE THE PRODUCERS. The communication (despite there being a private board for the producers) was fair at best. One chapter producer wasn't even aware of the board until the project was almost at the submission deadline. Wow. The marketing is horrible. They got an official press release out with the website looking like crap. This thing is ordered on line and when you go to the site, there wasn't even any of the artwork or a preview clip available. Dick McGowan had a fabulous marketing strategy in my opinion and was shot down by apparently a closed door decision. I really believe Dick's idea could have produced almost $10K in additional gross funds being raised. This all being said and after the whole project came within an eyelash of being scrubbed, it's done. I was worried about the final cut looking "rushed" but it got by. I hope the political pissing matches are done well in advance of next year's production...assuming there will be one.
***EDIT: AS OF RIGHT NOW 12-08-07 7:24PM CENTRAL, THESE ARE THE ONLY IMAGES OF THE PRODUCTION YOU WILL FIND. THEY AREN'T EVEN ON THE WEBSITE STILL!!! Hello???***
Do you trust to make purchases off the internet or a catalog without seeing what your money is going for???
