Gregg Therieau
December 4th, 2003, 01:04 PM
This is the first documentary that I know of about collegiate style youth wrestling. I shot it with a Sony PD-100 set at a 30 sec shutter with the x0.7 wide conversion lens. The wrestling matches were all recorded with an Audio Technica AT-100 wireless lav. The practices and some interviews were recorded with a Sony ECM 670 shotgun mic. Framed for 16x9 but cropped with Final Cut 3.
This film is currently being edited for a 50-90 minute cut. The film was also one of the selections at this year's IFP Market in NYC this past September in the "Works in Progress" category. I'm still looking for finishing funds. So any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Sorry, but this trailer is best viewed with a high speed connection on windows media player. The trailer is 10 minutes long, so if you could take time out of your schedules to watch it, I'd appreciate it. Thanks again for your comments.
http://161.58.78.36/asx/dvinfo/gladiatorschool/GLADIATORSCHOOL500K.asx High Speed
http://161.58.78.36/asx/dvinfo/gladiatorschool/GLADIATORSCHOOL56K.asx Dial Up
Synopsis:
Like the gladiators of ancient Rome, collegiate style wrestling accentuates the strengths and weaknesses of the individual combatant. Yet, when wrestlers engage on the mat, each knows that they have a crowd of people cheering them on along with their coach. A coach who has such an intense passion for the sport, his shouts of encouragement and position strategies are felt as well as heard.
Gladiator School is a film that shows the emotional journey of just such a coach, Don Calabrese, and his team, The Black Sheep. Coming to Atlanta, Georgia from his native New Jersey, Don brings his high-energy, combative style to a group of kids ranging in age from five to fourteen years old.
You follow their journey as they learn the art and science of wrestling. The team learns to deal with pain and pride during the emotional rollercoaster ride of defeat and victory. Don’s “in your face” approach to life brings him into conflict with officials, opposing coaches and, yes, even parents. Yet, the kids of The Black Sheep team fiercely believe in him and fight each match mirroring his intensity for competing.
Youth wrestling clubs are one of the fastest growing competitive sports rivaling youth baseball, football and soccer. Unlike the traditional sports, wrestling is a close, intense and intimate sport creating a cauldron for controversy. Due to the emotional and physical demands, questions arise concerning the participation of the younger aged kids. How much is too much when it comes to high intense competition for a 5 year old? Parental involvement is also a large debate. How far should a parent push their child to win? The implementation of Title 9 allows girls to participate in male dominated sports. Girls can now wrestle, not just against each other but also against boys. During an age when hormones are beginning to run amok, the opinions on whether girls and boys should wrestle each other are diverse and extremely heated. Title 9 has been said to be the major cause of numerous sports programs to be cut from high schools as well as colleges; wrestling being one of them.
Gladiator School investigates and debates these controversial issues while taking the viewer on an intense journey with The Black Sheep, and their first season as a team. This is a film about heart and determination. About not quitting when the cards are stacked against you. It’s about working towards a goal despite very difficult obstacles. Gladiator School is a film about the true American Spirit!
This film is currently being edited for a 50-90 minute cut. The film was also one of the selections at this year's IFP Market in NYC this past September in the "Works in Progress" category. I'm still looking for finishing funds. So any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Sorry, but this trailer is best viewed with a high speed connection on windows media player. The trailer is 10 minutes long, so if you could take time out of your schedules to watch it, I'd appreciate it. Thanks again for your comments.
http://161.58.78.36/asx/dvinfo/gladiatorschool/GLADIATORSCHOOL500K.asx High Speed
http://161.58.78.36/asx/dvinfo/gladiatorschool/GLADIATORSCHOOL56K.asx Dial Up
Synopsis:
Like the gladiators of ancient Rome, collegiate style wrestling accentuates the strengths and weaknesses of the individual combatant. Yet, when wrestlers engage on the mat, each knows that they have a crowd of people cheering them on along with their coach. A coach who has such an intense passion for the sport, his shouts of encouragement and position strategies are felt as well as heard.
Gladiator School is a film that shows the emotional journey of just such a coach, Don Calabrese, and his team, The Black Sheep. Coming to Atlanta, Georgia from his native New Jersey, Don brings his high-energy, combative style to a group of kids ranging in age from five to fourteen years old.
You follow their journey as they learn the art and science of wrestling. The team learns to deal with pain and pride during the emotional rollercoaster ride of defeat and victory. Don’s “in your face” approach to life brings him into conflict with officials, opposing coaches and, yes, even parents. Yet, the kids of The Black Sheep team fiercely believe in him and fight each match mirroring his intensity for competing.
Youth wrestling clubs are one of the fastest growing competitive sports rivaling youth baseball, football and soccer. Unlike the traditional sports, wrestling is a close, intense and intimate sport creating a cauldron for controversy. Due to the emotional and physical demands, questions arise concerning the participation of the younger aged kids. How much is too much when it comes to high intense competition for a 5 year old? Parental involvement is also a large debate. How far should a parent push their child to win? The implementation of Title 9 allows girls to participate in male dominated sports. Girls can now wrestle, not just against each other but also against boys. During an age when hormones are beginning to run amok, the opinions on whether girls and boys should wrestle each other are diverse and extremely heated. Title 9 has been said to be the major cause of numerous sports programs to be cut from high schools as well as colleges; wrestling being one of them.
Gladiator School investigates and debates these controversial issues while taking the viewer on an intense journey with The Black Sheep, and their first season as a team. This is a film about heart and determination. About not quitting when the cards are stacked against you. It’s about working towards a goal despite very difficult obstacles. Gladiator School is a film about the true American Spirit!