Latest news with #TheTwister:CaughtintheStorm
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois' film industry bounces back after 2023 strikes
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) – Is Illinois the new Hollywood? Not quite, but the state's film industry continues to grow. After a production slowdown during the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild strikes in 2023, the state's film industry bounced back in 2024, bringing in $653 million in expenditures and generating $354 million in wages since the Film Production Tax Credit was passed. This marks the second-highest in state history. Netflix movie 'The Twister: Caught in the Storm' scenes shot in Champaign Co. Director of the Illinois Film Office Peter Hawley said the tax credit has been key in expanding the job market in the industry. 'You have to think about the film production tax credit as a job creation act,' Hawley said. The tax credit, which was extended through 2032 now allows out-of-state crew members to be part of the incentive. The program provides a 30% tax credit on production spending—from wages and food to post-production. Unlike other states, Illinois does not have a cap on film and television tax credits. This is to encourage more companies to film in Illinois and help expand workforce training programs. Many organizations and small independent filmmakers are already benefiting from the Illinois Film Office's media training program grant. Organizations like Free Spirit Media are already seeing the impact of investing in youth. Free Spirit Media is a nonprofit organization on the West Side of Chicago that trains young adults and connects them with production companies. The executive director of the organization, Aurora Toshiko King, said the funding and tax credit have been transformative. 'When we started out with this project, we worked with approximately 20 young people. We did not have funding that first year from the Illinois Film Office,' King said. 'The funding came in the second year, and we worked with 60 young people in the intensive program. We had some other workshops where other young people could connect with young adults through the Creative Pathways program, and now we are offering a more robust, holistic year-long experience.' The program offers internships and job placements on major shows like Chicago Fire and The Chi. While Chicago is the main hub of the state's film industry, Hawley said the office continues to push investment in other parts of the state. 'We want to bring production opportunities to every corner of the state. There's a film coming up that's a small independent film filming at Pere Marquette State Park outside of Saint Louis on the Illinois side,' Hawley said. 'So we want to bring in more work. We have more soundstages than we ever had before. There's more studio production and production in the Marion and Carbondale area. There are some soundstages coming up in Rock Island.' Six horror movies with ties to Champaign Co. Last year, about 18,200 workers were hired, excluding extras. The Illinois Film Office's workforce training program trains over 250 people through grant funding provided by in-state productions. 'So I would say not only have the numbers increased, but also the kind of depth, the number of hours,' King said. 'The investment in these artists—really vouches for the power of the work. Now out of this project [Creative Pathways program] emerged an alumni space where they are working together to support each other in their careers, collaborating on film projects.' From 2017 to 2024, the tax credit brought in over $4.5 billion and witnessed successful shows and independent films such as Dark Matter on Apple TV+, The Bear, the award-winning comedy-drama, and Ghostlight, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The Illinois Film Office is expected to announce more grant funding for filmmakers next month to continue its goal to grow the film workforce in the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mirror
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Harrowing Netflix documentaries about real-life American tragedies you can watch now
Among the streamer's many powerful documentaries are three viewers say everyone should see Netflix's documentaries are always a hit with viewers, but picking the cream of the crop can be a tough task. A handful of fresh releases have already made their way into the streaming giant's library, including one show that's being touted as the 'best docu-series of 2025. ' We've put together a brief list of must-see documentaries, focusing on events that unfolded in America and subsequently shook the world. From catastrophic weather events to the passing of an LGBTQ+ legend, these shows are available for streaming now on Netflix. The Twister: Caught in the Storm Launched back in March, The Twister: Caught in the Storm delves into the horrific tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri, in 2011. The storm descended upon Joplin on May 22 and claimed the lives of 158 people, making it one of the deadliest in American history, reports the Mirror US. Helmed by Alexandra Lacey, the documentary revisits this natural disaster, featuring first-hand accounts from weather forecasters and a group of survivors who found themselves at the heart of the storm. Even though the tragedy took place 14 years ago, this Netflix series provides viewers with a deeply immersive experience of the event. A Rotten Tomatoes reviewer described it as "immersive, thrilling and frightening," continuing: "This documentary very well shows the vulnerability of all us humans when confronted with the mighty force of nature." The Twister: Caught in the Storm is available for streaming now on Netflix Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer This three-part series has been praised by viewers as the 'best docu-series of 2025' just two months after its release on Netflix. It explores the hunt for an alleged serial killer, following a string of murders that took place over several years without being detected by law enforcement. In 2010 police began to suspect a killer was on the loose after 23-year-old escort Shannan Gilbert made a panicked 911 call claiming someone was pursuing her, only to vanish shortly after. An extensive search of the area led to the discovery of four victims, known as the Gilgo Beach Four, and sparked a thorough investigation. Shannan's remains were eventually found in December 2011. Directed by Liz Garbus, the documentary delves into the events leading up to the 2023 arrest of an architect, who is set to stand trial later this year charged with the murders of seven women. He maintains he is not guilty. Viewers have taken to Rotten Tomatoes, where the series boasts a rare 100% score, with one reviewer writing: "Netflix Delivers the Best Docu-Series of 2025. 'Gone Girls' does something unexpected with its empathetic approach to true crime as director Liz Garbus gives a voice to the voiceless [...]." Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer is now available to stream on Netflix The Death and Life of Marsha P Johnson Marsha P. Johnson, a trailblazer in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, met a tragic end in July 1992. The transgender icon was part of the pioneering Gay Liberation Front, which started in New York during the tumultuous late '60s. Initially thought to have taken her own life, a new documentary delves into the persistent suspicions that she was actually murdered. The film's blurb states: "Filmmakers re-examine the 1992 death of transgender legend Marsha P. Johnson, who was found floating in the Hudson River. Originally ruled a suicide, many in the community believe she was murdered." Highlighting the significance of the documentary, an IMDb reviewer wrote: "I was originally going to say that this should be required viewing for young LGBTQ people, in order for them to have a better understanding of our history. "But correct that to say that EVERYONE should watch this in order to better understand a segment of our society that has been brutally mistreated since forever."
Miami Herald
01-04-2025
- Climate
- Miami Herald
Netflix Documentary Explores Joplin Tornado, Deadliest in Recent US History
Netflix's latest documentary The Twister: Caught in the Storm, turns a powerful lens on the 2011 tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri-revisiting the deadliest tornado in modern American history. The EF-5 twister, which tore through the heart of the city on May 22, 2011, killed at least 158 people, injured more than 1,000, and displaced over 9,000 in a community that had little time to prepare for the destruction. The new film arrives as Joplin reflects on recovery efforts over the past 14 years, underscoring the resilience of a town that saw a third of its buildings destroyed. With extensive footage and firsthand accounts, the documentary explores not just the force of nature, but the human stories behind the headlines. The 2011 Joplin tornado reshaped how emergency managers across the country issue tornado warnings because it revealed critical gaps in both public communication and behavioral response. According to a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) study cited by despite a 17-minute lead time from the National Weather Service's warning, many residents delayed taking shelter because the tornado was rain-wrapped and did not resemble the classic funnel shape. This visual ambiguity, combined with public confusion over warning messages, led to what experts later identified as "confirmation delay"-a dangerous tendency to wait for additional cues before taking action. "Warnings aren't enough when it comes to violent tornadoes," Greg Forbes, former severe weather expert at The Weather Channel, told "Homes are no match for a violent tornado." In response to these failures, emergency managers nationwide began reassessing how warnings are disseminated, placing more focus on behavioral science to ensure that alerts not only reach people but also spur immediate, life-saving action. Netflix's The Twister: Caught in the Storm uses both archival footage and new interviews to document the tornado's path and its impact. The storm carved a path nearly a mile wide and six miles long through Joplin. According to TheGuardian, it destroyed 4,000 homes and more than 500 businesses. The documentary revisits these numbers with visual evidence and survivor accounts, giving fresh gravity to statistics that once stunned the nation. In the aftermath, federal and state agencies coordinated the delivery of more than $2 billion in aid and recovery funds. The response became a benchmark for subsequent disaster planning across the Midwest. Joplin remains one of the largest cities in southwest Missouri, although its size is modest compared to other urban centers. It is located in the southwestern corner of Missouri and serves as a regional hub for commerce and healthcare. At the time of the tornado, Joplin's population was around 50,000. As of 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that the town has grown by 6 percent or to 53,095 at last estimates. Despite the population rebound, scars from the storm remain visible both physically and emotionally across the city. What Time Did the 2011 Joplin Tornado Hit? The tornado touched down around 5:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, May 22, 2011. It formed just outside of Joplin and quickly intensified as it entered the city limits. According to reports cited by USA Today, the tornado reached its peak intensity within minutes and continued for about 48 minutes before dissipating. According to the NOAA, the tornado directly killed 158 people, but USA Today reports that it also caused "indirect deaths" that bring the total number of fatalities to around 162. It was the deadliest single tornado in U.S. history since modern record-keeping began, according to the National Weather Service. The death toll was exacerbated by the tornado's path through densely populated neighborhoods and a busy commercial corridor. According to the Associated Press (AP), emergency workers and local volunteers pulled victims from the wreckage for days, with some of the dead found far from where they had last been seen. Just before the tornado touched down, 445 graduates of Joplin High School had just completed their graduation ceremony and had to scurry to find cover. The celebratory day was cut short as many students were impacted by the tornado. Will Norton, 18, had just left his high school graduation when it struck. As he rode in his family's SUV, he was pulled out through the sunroof despite his father's attempts to hold on. His body was found five days later in a pond nearby, reported the AP. More than 1,000 people were injured, and entire families were affected. The 2011 tornado was also one of just a few rated E-5 ever recorded, with winds estimated at over 200 miles per hour, reported the AP. The event reshaped how emergency managers across the country issue tornado warnings, as the Joplin tornado highlighted failures in public communication systems and the public's response to warnings. Then-principal of Joplin High School Kerry Sachetta told AP on the evening of May 22, 2011: "You see pictures of World War II, the devastation and all that with the bombing-that's really what it looked like." Director of 'The Twister: Caught in the Storm' Alexandra Lacey posted to Instagram: "Thank you again to the community of Joplin and the young contributors who have shared their stories with such authenticity and bravery." As the anniversary of the tornado approaches, the film is expected to serve both as historical documentation and a call to continued vigilance in communities vulnerable to extreme weather. Related Articles Peering Into the Deadliest, Most Destructive Tornadoes with SupercomputersPictures of Hurricane Ian Aftermath Show Damage and Flooding in FloridaWhat Caused Deadly L.A. Wildfires? Faulty Electrical Equipment In Spotlight 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
6 most costly tornadoes to hit the U.S.
Tornado season is ramping up in the United States. As cool, dry air from Canada collides with warm, moist air from the Gulf, it creates ideal conditions for tornadoes. Recently, the National Weather Service issued an unusually far-in-advance alert, covering a wide swath of the Midwest and the South, from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Birmingham, Alabama. The Storm Prediction Center warned of a 'moist warm sector' that could suggest 'severe storms including supercells, and attendant, all-hazards severe potential.' A tornado that hits a populated area can cause damage in the billions of dollars and cause fatalities. Here are six of the costliest U.S. tornadoes. The F5 tornado that chewed through Joplin, Missouri, in 2011 remains the costliest twister in U.S. history. The tornado, which claimed over 150 lives, will be revisited in a Netflix (NFLX) documentary released this month, 'The Twister: Caught in the Storm.' According to the Associated Press, the tornado scattered X-rays and medical records from one of the city's destroyed hospitals 75 miles away, and winds roared at an estimated 200-plus mph. A month before Joplin's costly and deadly tornado, a strong F4 tornado ripped through Tuscaloosa. With winds peaking at 190 mph and a path over 1.5 miles wide, this tornado laid waste to the city, causing over 60 deaths. In early June 2013, an F5 tornado laid waste to Moore, killing over 20 residents. Moore sits in the heart of the 'tornado alley,' so this wasn't the city's first brush with a deadly twister. According to the National Weather Service, the massive 1966 Topeka tornado killed 17 people and injured over 500. At the time, it was the costliest tornado in American history, and with inflation factored in, it still ranks as one of the costliest on record. About 800 homes were completely destroyed citywide, and nearly 3,000 were damaged — the state Capitol dome sustained damage from flying debris, as did many downtown buildings. The intense destruction classified the tornado as an F5 (the top of the Fujita Intensity Scale) with winds estimated at over 250 mph. A devastating tornado struck Lubbock on May 11, 1970. It was the second of two that struck the city that night — it touched down around 9:30 p.m. southwest of downtown and moved northeast, causing catastrophic damage along its path, until it lifted around the Lubbock Municipal Airport shortly after 10:00 pm. The F5 tornado killed 26 people and injured more than 1,500 along its 8.5-mile track. This tornado that hit Dallas on October 19, 2019, proved that destructive tornadoes don't just happen in the spring. According to the local NBC (CMCSA) affiliate, the tornado was on the ground for 32 minutes, carving out a 15-mile path of destruction in north Dallas. Hundreds of structures were damaged or destroyed, including schools, large retailers, homes, and infrastructure. The storm caused an estimated $1.5 billion in damage, making it the costliest tornado event in Texas history. The tornado was an F3, but it was such a costly one because it hit a densely populated area. Remarkably, there were no fatalities. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
First reaction to ‘The Twister: Caught in the Storm'
Most folks in the Ozarks will never forget May 22, 2011, when a catastrophic tornado ripped through Joplin, MO. 161 people were killed by the mile-wide tornado that came with winds over 200 MPH. This storm changed the lives of so many Ozarkians and a new documentary from Netflix is hoping to share some of the stories from that day. 'The Twister: Caught in the Storm' is currently streaming on Netflix. The documentary follows several people who were directly impacted by the tornado. Some had just graduated high school, some were visiting Joplin for the first time, and some were just going to work. All seemed business as usual. All of that changed at 5:37 PM when the tornado formed west of Joplin. It grew into a monster and tore a 22-mile-long path through the heart of the city. The documentary gives a full account of those who found themselves truly caught in the storm and is worth a watch on Netflix. Join Ozarks First Meteorologist Tom Schmidt and photojournalist Tim Leimkuhler to hear a firsthand account of the events that happened on May 22, 2011, and their first reactions to the must-watch documentary. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
