An in-depth exclusive interview with writer/director LINDSAY GOSSLING and renowned stormchaser TRAVIS FARNCOMBE talking the riveting 13 MINUTES.
Written and directed by Lindsay Gossling, with story by renowned stormchaser Travis Farncombe, 13 MINUTES is the story of one afternoon in the small Heartland town of Minninnewah; an afternoon that within the span of 13 minutes will change forever. Grounding the story and the visuals in the realities of a “severe weather day”, it’s springtime in this region known colloquially as “Tornado Alley” where big storms are commonplace. Of course, big storms can turn into much more than thunder, lightning, torrential rains, and whipping winds. They can turn into earth-scorching tornadoes. And when those big storms hit and early warning systems sound, residents have only 13 MINUTES to get to shelter. Average spring day, that’s exactly what happens in Minninnewah when alarms sound and everyone has just 13 MINUTES to get to shelter before the largest F5 tornado on record ravages the town. Lasting mere minutes, as survivors walk or crawl out into the light of day, they are met with total devastation as they search for their loved ones and fight for their lives. As is so often the case, only the strongest will survive. But in a town like Minninnewah with diversity, differences, and interpersonal conflicts raging, can these people, these families, rise above those differences and find a common strength in order to survive.
Calling on Farncombe’s expertise, 13 MINUTES focuses on a specific type of F5 tornado and the weather patterns inherent to it, translating that not only visually, but emotionally so that the darkening skies and changing air patterns mirror not only the dramatic build of the tornado but the dramatic arc of each character’s story.
13 MINUTES stars Amy Smart, Thora Birch, Peter Facinelli, Trace Adkins, Paz Vega, Anne Heche, Sofia Vassilieva, Laura Spencer, Yancey Arias, Shaylee Mansfield, Trace Adkins, Will Peltz, and Tokala Black Elk.
As authentic and powerful as the visuals of 13 MINUTES are, it’s not as much the “disaster” aspect of the film that stands out as the heart that Gossling captures and brings to life, bringing us into this world with the power of Mother Nature, the power of kindness, and the power of humanity when it comes together.
In this exclusive interview, Lindsay and Travis delve into the crafting of the story, the diversity of the characters and their conflicts and challenges, working with a large ensemble, making the town a character, mirroring emotion of individuals to that of Mother Nature and an F5, the work of cinematographer Steve Mason, “building” and entire aftermath town and the skills of production designer Ian Phillips and set dresser Jennifer Giron, Ariel Marx’s score and the challenges of melding musicality with sound design, and more.
TAKE A LISTEN. . .
by debbie elias, exclusive interview October 22, 2021
