As a certified-fresh cinephile (and Cancer ♋), there’s just something about summer blockbusters that consumes my entire being. Ever since I could remember, the magic of movie-making in cult-faves such as E.T., Jaws, Back to the Future, and Jurassic Park (and their modern-day sequels!) has left me awestruck. But to go behind the scenes to discover how these iconic films are made is even more exciting if you ask me. Introducing: Ashley Jay Sandberg (she/her), EP and executive music producer of Twisters, who helps bring a bit of that movie magic to the big screen. “My favorite aspect of my job is the creative process,” she says. “From script development to post-production, each phase requires careful attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining the film’s vision. Collaboration is key, and I enjoy working closely with directors, writers, studios, and other producers to ensure that every element of the film aligns with our goals and director’s vision. I love what I do. I wake up thinking about movies. When I’m daydreaming, I’m thinking about what will make a great movie. And I’m excited to keep working on films that bring people back to the theater. Nothing beats a full house and the energy of watching films with others. I love a noisy theater with an audience reacting to what they’re watching and feeling that sense of community.”

And I have no doubt that Twisters is gonna bring that chaotic energy, just like Twister did in 1996. But what exactly is it about disaster movies that we can’t get enough of? “These types of films shine a spotlight on everyday people in extreme circumstances while tapping into deep rooted human emotions and instincts and simultaneously celebrating human resilience and spirit,” Ashley says. “The leads could be us—our friends, families, neighbors. The best disaster movies put a personal story at the core. Yes, the spectacles are incredible, but we come back to rewatch again and again for the characters and their journeys amidst the chaos. And I think we all picture what we would do if we were caught in the middle of a disaster!” I mean, she has a point. We’ve all fought over the Great Titanic Door Debate once or twice.

Speaking of Titanic, we gotta talk about how far CGI has come in cinema. (Or moreso, how filmmakers decide to use it.) For an action-packed thriller that has a ton of tornadoes, you’d think that most of the movie was shot via greenscreen. Well, you’d be wrong. “Given that we filmed in Oklahoma during tornado season, weather played a crucial role,” Ashley says. “We shot 70% of this film on the road, so weather became a real factor to consider in making our days. There were times we had to end production early if we received tornado and weather warnings from our film safety experts and former military meteorologist, Joel Martin. Each day started with our safety meeting and the location of the nearest storm shelter was on every call sheet and discussed at the meeting. Every time the sky looked just right for the scene, we knew a storm was coming and prayed that lightning would not shut us down! We had the best crew, ADs, and HODs, and we all worked together to make up the time lost when we had to shut down production for the weather. This production threw lots of curve balls between industry strikes and weather, but we were able to see it through.” Talk about braving the storm… literally.

Although the first Twister is peak ‘90s, I can’t help but remember my first love, Jurassic Park. And neither can Ashley: “Like you, I loved Twister and Jurassic Park. They both evoked that awe and wonder that ignited the imagination and made the world feel so much bigger than my corner of the world in Baltimore, Maryland. My other favorite movie of the ‘90s was Titanic. I was that teenage girl who went to see it in the theater four times! I also used my babysitting money to buy the two tape VHS as soon as it was released on home video. At the heart of this magnificent world, James Cameron created this love story that pulled every part of my young teenage self. The groundbreaking technical achievements lead me to think, ‘I want to be a part of making films like this.’ It was so well made, and even made you feel like you were on the ship with the epic romance and spirit of discovery.” I’m still more of a dinosaur girl myself, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t see the appeal in a young Leonardo DiCaprio.

Now, if you’re wondering if you need to see Twister before heading to the theaters this weekend, you kinda don’t. The film is a standalone sequel, and is not to be confused with a reboot. Although Ashley’s unpopular opinion is the same as mine: “If a reboot is done really well with a fresh, clever approach, I’m all for it.” That said, for us OG fans, she says, “There are definitely easter eggs in the film.”

Holding onto my popcorn! 🍿,
Chloe Trout, associate managing editor