Short Documentary

Against The Wind

Jesse Gillett

Stafford Springs, CT

Advisor: Heather Cassano

Artist Bio

Jesse Gillett is an independent filmmaker, content creator and freelancer from New England. He holds an Associate’s degree in Media Communications from Connecticut Community College Manchester and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Connecticut. Jesse’s first feature-length award-winning documentary Storm of Passion (2025) screened in several local theaters across Kansas and Oklahoma. He also co-edited the award-winning film The Art of Being Seen (2025), which was screened at film festivals across the state. He is currently working on Against The Wind (2026), a short film about storm chaser Ryan Shepard and the challenges of navigating a tornado intercept vehicle directly into the center of a tornado.

Artist Statement

Against The Wind centers on Ryan Shepard, a storm chaser determined to drive his custom-built armored vehicle, the TIV-2, directly into a tornado. The film explores both his technical and financial challenges while chasing in the memory of his dead friend who shared the same passion for storm chasing. Shot observationally, we follow Ryan and his crew as they get close to some of the most violent winds on the planet.

I was inspired to produce this piece after being made aware of the close bond Ryan shares with not only storm chasing but his friend who passed away in 2014. I also found the act of chasing tornadoes with the goal of driving into one fascinating and an excellent base to build this story about Ryan. Especially after watching shows like Storm Chasers (2008 – 2011) which features the vehicles Ryan uses to get in close proximity to twisters.