Why did you start this series?

When I first developed the series, it was never intended to evolve into its current form. My original approach involved capturing as much footage as possible, with a very strong emphasis on creativity. Initially, the concept was to produce visually creative videos, enhancing them with detailed editing and complementing them with appealing music.

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Why is this called A Look Back?

The title “A Look Back” is a nod to my grandfather, Walter Ray “Papa” Weaver, and the life he lived and shared with me through stories. Being born during the Great Depression he had a plethora of knowledge and anecdotes that he willingly shared, all of which came to life when he was asked “Hey Pop, when you take a look back on life…”

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Who is this series really made for?

Initially, this series was intended for my personal enjoyment. Since I began storm chasing in 2011, the majority of my footage consisted of simple video compilations with music, lacking a creative direction. While I have always enjoyed sharing my passion for weather and recounting my storm chasing experiences, this series enabled me to combine both elements. It also provides a platform for me to relive some of the most remarkable moments of my life. In the future, when I am older and less active, this series will allow me to fondly reminisce about the good old days.

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You said you have been storm chasing since 2011. Where is that footage at and will we ever see it?

This is one of those questions that I am not proud to answer. First, that original footage is dispersed between a countless number of hard drives and external drives. The majority of those drives I no longer have access to as they have either been lost, destroyed, or became non functioning, unfortunately. That said, there is one place that I do have some storm chasing footage but it's not enough to tell a story in the same format that this series was structured. Believe me, I would love to have all of my past storm chasing footage in one place, so that I could figure out how to present it to all of you in a way that you would enjoy.​

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What is your biggest goal with storm chasing?

I can't say that I have one specific goal when it comes to storm chasing. My aim is to always capture quality structure, quality time lapses, and quality audio. These elements are interconnected, but I don't focus on any one specific item previously listed. I don't expect every chase to produce a tornado, nor do I anticipate every outing to guarantee a specific outcome. While it's gratifying to achieve great results, I find equal satisfaction in capturing a tornado, a powerful time lapse, or impressive lightning on camera. Tornadoes are not my sole measure of a successful storm chase.

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Is this series an original idea?

What is truly original anymore? That's the question I ask myself when I hear people accusing others of taking someone else's ideas. That said, this series does incorporate inspirational works from several other storm chasers. While I won't name them here, it's not difficult to find great content creators in the storm chasing community. As I mentioned before, this series was initially created for my own enjoyment, but then I decided to share it with anyone who might appreciate it. 

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Do you have a degree in storm chasing?

First of all, there is no such thing as a degree in storm chasing so no, I do not have a degree in storm chasing. Similarly, you don't need a degree to get into storm chasing, but it is crucial to have a solid understanding of what storms can do. 

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Where did you learn what you know?

I highly recommend taking the free Skywarn storm spotter classes provided by your local National Weather Service. Another excellent resource for similar information, plus so much more, is the MetEd website https://www.meted.ucar.edu/index.php. They offer free registration and this is where I gained the majority of the knowledge I apply and use to my storm chasing decisions today.

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Will you ever offer storm chasing tours?

To be completely honest, no. There are companies that specialize in this, many of which are run by highly skilled individuals. I have no desire to put myself in a position to host such experiences. While I am knowledgeable, many of those running the tours have decades more experience than I do, with some even holding a degree. They do excellent work, and I prefer to let those businesses continue their efforts while I focus on my own pursuits.

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Where do you see the series going?

Of course, I have many ambitious plans for this series, extending well beyond anything you have seen so far. When the time comes, you will witness the new direction this series takes, and I am grateful that you have chosen to be a part of this adventure.​