STORM CHASERS!

Presenter Voice over
Inspired by the thrilling exploits of ‘Indiana Jones-like’ meteorologists on America’s ‘hurricane alley’, the UK’s own amateur ‘Storm Chasers’ are every bit as enthusiastic in facing the might and drama of Britain’s weather in the raw.
In the heart of Devon I met up with Brian, or ‘Hurricane’ Edwards, as he is known by his rag-tag team of tornado amigos.

Exterior day, moor land. The disparate bunch of 5 losers in quasi-military/survival gear are stood around a crappy old Landrover which ifestooned with improvised meteorological equipment; wind socks, anometer made from cups and gaffer tape, aerials, ZX Spectrum and tourist maps etc. Brian at front in fatigues with belts of equipment all over. Cocky cowboy pose.

Presenter
So Brian...

All ( in over-excited jingoistic Marine kinda' way)
Wooo - yeah man - Hurricane! its Hurricane - Storm Chaser extraordinaire!

Presenter
Sorry...’Hurricane’. What is it that drives you all to be storm Chasers?

Brian (with OTT reverence and emotion)
It’s humbling man. Confronting mother nature’s power up close and personal. Like Nitchze said ‘ when you look into the storm - the storm looks into you’

Bubba (patting Brian meaningfully on the shoulder)
It changes you dude. I wasn’t the same person after my first level three shower.

Mary (clutching clipboard and ‘Girls Bumper book of the weather’)
It’s the scientific contribution that motivates me.

They all nod enthusiastically

Mary
With what we learn about these storms, we can increase warning times, we can save lives.

All (looking slightly more humble than Mother Teresa)
We just want to make difference

Film montage of a day with the team inc. driving around countryside, watching skies with binoculars, pouring over maps, scrambling, talking on mobiles and closely examining completely limp wind sock and taking notes.




Presenter Voice over:
During our day with Brian and his team I could not help but wonder how the mild, temperate ‘tornado-free’ climate in which they lived affected the likely hood of finding the violent nature they sought.

Presenter
Brian - sorry, ‘Hurricane’....I am in awe of your team’s enthusiasm, but I was wondering, considering we are in Devon, just what is the likelihood of you ever finding a real tornado?

Bubba (jumping in defensively and thrusting a blurred grey polaroid forward)
This was a level four light shower that we chased last bank holiday!

All
Chased for hours/amazin man/nearly to tavistock/we were there dude!/fantastic data/awesome!!

Bubba
I tell you...I’ve never been so scared!

Presenter
Er..yes, but surely....

Brian holds his hand up for silence and looks to the sky. they all look up eagerly and then to Brian in thrilled expectation. a beat

Brian
INCOMING!! LETS GO!!
They all scramble - jump into the Landrover and gun the engine

Title Card
2 hours later

View inside stationary, but noisy landrover containing entire team whopping and yelling as windscreen wipers beat noisily. Mary is crying with excitement!
All (high-fiving and punching the air)
This is it! / we got Debris! / Oh my God! / Jeez! / It’s a level FIVE!! Oh my God!!

Presenter
A group of brave individuals dedicated to the pursuit of the most violent phenomena that nature can throw at us. We can only marvel at the courage of Brian ‘Hurricane’ Edwards and his rag-tag team.
They are....Storm Chasers

Outside view of slightly rocking landrover (we can hear them whopping from inside). we pull back to reveal Landrover is in a muddy car park next to a play park.
In foreground a woman with dog/kids walks past barely concerned at the light shower.
Fade to black.