StormStock remains the world's premier source for weather footage
Founded in 1993 by filmmaker Martin Lisius, StormStock continues its position as the first choice for TV and film producers around the world who need only the best weather footage. Lisius, also the collection's primary cinematographer, captures hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, turbulent seas, unique time-lapse and breathtaking storm clouds on premium formats to meet the needs of any production. "In 1993, we were shooting on Betacam SP, then on Super 35mm to prepare for HD," Lisius said. "We were early adopters of HD video, and finally ultra high resolution formats like 4K and 6K."
StormStock includes the only HD collection of Hurricane Katrina making landfall, shot by Lisius, and significant material from other named storms such as Sandy, Ike and Matthew. This summer, Lisius captured a series of photogenic tornadoes in Iowa on DCI 4K. "I have fun shooting storms probably because I understand them so well. I've been doing it so long it's like I am part of it, part of nature. It's not an adrenaline rush for me, but rather a refueling, a reunion with Mother Nature. Maybe I'm a little like John Muir or Thoreau in that way," he said.
Producers use StormStock in TV documentaries and reality programs for Discovery, BBC and Nat Geo. And, in top tier TV commercials and theatrical releases including "Cinderella," "Lucy, "The Giver," and Terrence Malick's "Voyage of Time."
Lisius says, "When it comes to the distribution and licensing part of StormStock, I'm pleased when clients contact me and say, 'Thank goodness I found you!' It's even more satisfying when I can help them locate exactly what they need. Sometimes, it's just a clip or two, or a sky plate or other element for composition in a movie or commercial. Other times, I gather and deliver dozens of clips for productions about weather. It's good to know the effort we place on quality really ends up benefiting our clients. It shows in the finished piece."
What's next for StormStock? "I'm exploring new ways to look at weather and storms," Lisius said. "I want to see it from every angle and in ways never experienced." To that end, he has captured various views of severe storms from aerial positions and through unique time-lapse techniques. Some of his new material can be viewed in a short film he produced titled "Wakinyan," which has been selected for exhibition by several film festivals.