Introduction
The 1996 blockbuster movie Twister tells the story of a group of storm chasers as they battle the forces of nature. Directed by Jan de Bont and starring Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, and Cary Elwes, the film follows meteorologist Dr. Jo Harding and her team as they attempt to launch a groundbreaking device into the eye of an approaching tornado. The movie was a commercial success, grossing over $494 million worldwide, and it has become an iconic staple of ’90s pop culture.
This article will explore the filming locations of Twister. We’ll look at the Midwest landscape captured in the film, how Twister brought Hollywood to Oklahoma, and the making of Twister. By the end of this article, readers should have a better understanding of how the filmmakers managed to bring the world of Twister to life.
A Look at the Filming Locations of Twister
When discussing the filming locations of Twister, one must first consider the Midwest landscape captured in the film. Twister was filmed primarily in three states: Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado. While it’s easy to recognize the fictional town of Wakita, Oklahoma (where much of the action takes place) as being set in Oklahoma, other settings such as the abandoned farmhouse, the underground bunker, and the field of tall grass are also located in Oklahoma.
In addition to Oklahoma, Twister was also filmed in Kansas and Colorado. Much of the tornado footage was filmed in Dodge City, Kansas, while some of the outdoor scenes were shot in Denver, Colorado. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, director Jan de Bont said, “We really wanted to get the real atmosphere of the wide open spaces of the Midwest. That’s why we ended up shooting in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado.”
How Twister Brought Hollywood to Oklahoma
As previously mentioned, much of Twister was filmed in Oklahoma. This was significant for a number of reasons. First, it allowed the filmmakers to capture the beauty and vastness of the Midwest landscape. Second, it provided an opportunity to showcase the state of Oklahoma to a worldwide audience. Finally, it gave the local economy a much-needed boost.
According to the Oklahoma Film & Music Office, Twister spent over $20 million in Oklahoma during its production period. This included hiring hundreds of local crew members, renting equipment from local businesses, and staying at local hotels. In addition, the production team donated $25,000 to the local school district in order to fund a new library.
Behind the Scenes: The Making of Twister
The making of Twister was no small feat. The production team faced numerous challenges due to inclement weather and the unpredictable nature of tornadoes. To make matters worse, they had to recreate the storms of “Tornado Alley” in an environment that was not prone to tornadoes.
In order to recreate the storms of Tornado Alley, the production team used a variety of techniques. One of the most effective methods involved the use of large fans mounted on the ground. These fans created powerful wind gusts that could be directed at the actors, allowing them to experience what it would feel like to be in the middle of a tornado. Additionally, the production team used a variety of special effects to create the illusion of a tornado or thunderstorm.
The production team also revisited some of the iconic locations featured in Twister. This included the abandoned farmhouse, the underground bunker, and the field of tall grass. While these locations were not actually in Tornado Alley, they still managed to capture the essence of the Midwest landscape.
Conclusion
Twister is a classic ’90s film that has stood the test of time. Its success can be attributed to the filmmakers’ ability to capture the beauty of the Midwest landscape, bring Hollywood to Oklahoma, and recreate the storms of Tornado Alley. By exploring the filming locations of Twister, we can gain a better understanding of the behind-the-scenes work that went into making this classic movie.
In summary, this article examined the filming locations of the 1996 blockbuster movie Twister. We looked at the Midwest landscape captured in the film, how Twister brought Hollywood to Oklahoma, and the making of Twister. Through this exploration, readers should now have a better understanding of how the filmmakers managed to bring the world of Twister to life.
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