Two students, two schools — one goal.
That’s the idea behind second-year MFA film student Tim Jackson’s new documentary, Wrestling with Iowa. Focusing on the 2012-2013 Iowa Wrestling Tournament, Jackson will be working on his thesis for his master’s degree throughout the next few years.
In order to help complete his project, the College of Fine Arts has awarded Jackson the I. Hollis Parry/Ann Parry Billman Fine Arts Award. It is awarded to students with projects that might not have been possible due to financial restrictions.
“You enter these things, and you never know how they are going to turn out,” Jackson said. “So to win such a great award is a big stamp of approval.”
The prize carries a minimum value of $5,000 and must be used within the year after the student has received the award.
“We liked Jackson’s project because it was a compelling and interesting story,” said Jody Lamb, the associate dean of the College of Fine Arts. “It was clearly focused. He had unusual contacts from out of town, and we knew that it was going to be completed.”
The funds for this grant will be applied toward traveling and filming expenses when Jackson begins primary filming in September.
During the nomination process, two applicants are chosen from the five graduate schools of Fine Arts. Then the committee looks at each applicant and decides on which one they feel is the best for the award.
Brandon Sorenson, from the Denver-Tripoli wrestling team, is working on winning his fourth wrestling state championship. Meanwhile, Jake Marlin, from Creston/Orient-Macksburg, is also trying to reach the same goal.
Both are also working to make themselves members of the elite “4-Time Club.”
As they make their way through the new season, Sorenson and Marlin will be interviewed and followed by Jackson. Additionally, the documentary will focus on Dan Gable — a coach and wrestler who has won 16 national championships at the University of Iowa — and other various members in the Iowa wrestling community.
Jackson will begin building his crew when he heads to Iowa this fall to recruit film students, along with high-school students and other community members. Jackson will also contact the local high schools to work with them through teaching.
“From working with him outside of a film setting, I like his work ethic,” said Zach Sebastian, who composed the music used in the film’s trailer and who has worked with Jackson in the past. “He doesn’t push too hard to get things done but definitely keeps things tidy and in order,” Sebastian said. “Things don’t need to be rushed because they’ll get done when they’re ready to be done.”
Jackson plans on tracking his filmmaking progress with a Twitter account — @WrestlingWithIA — and by using Facebook and his website, wrestlingwithiowa.com. With the social-media tools, he will produce and release a Web series of the story as well.
“He has a plan, and he knows how to follow through with it,” Lamb said.
wa054010@ohiou.edu
