Former Northern Illinois Wrestler Discusses Planning, Production and Future of Independent Wrestling Film
By Matt Krumrie “Senior Editor
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Northern Illinois University alumnus James “J.D.” Oliva, who wrestled over five seasons for Coach Dave Grant, is directing a feature-length independent movie titled “7 Minutes“ a reference to the length of a collegiate wrestling match. All of the actors who will portray wrestlers in the film actually did compete at the collegiate level.
The cast and crew began shooting at various locations on the NIU campus and in DeKalb, IL., Wednesday, June 22. The movie’s climactic scene will be shot at the NIU Convocation Center.
“There aren’t really any good wrestling movies out there,” says Oliva, who graduated in 2003 with a degree in communication. “The wrestling community is starving for something like this.”
“7 Minutes,” which also will be shot at locations in Ottawa, New Lennox [two towns in Northern Illinois, I assume — Mark] and Wisconsin, already is generating some buzz. The Chicago Sun-Times published a write-up on the project in May, and the Web site for the movie 7 Minutes has received tens of thousands of hits. Oliva says three corporate sponsors are on board, along with a group of private backers who are financing the project.
The idea for the movie came to Oliva early into his wrestling career at NIU. He collaborated on the script with longtime friend and NIU alumnus Joseph Ziegler (Communication, ’02). Oliva is originally from west suburban Bartlett and coached this past year at Streamwood High School. He will return to NIU in the fall, where he has accepted a post in the Division of Media Services as a videographer/editor for Inside Huskie Sports.
He recently discussed the movie with The Wrestling Mall. Here is a synopsis of the movie and an interview taking an inside look at 7 Minutes:
7 Minutes Synopsis
An athlete on edge of greatness and a program on the verge of elimination. Some people will wait their whole lives for an opportunity, others take their best shots. 7 Minutes is the story of the Owens State University Cougar wrestling team. A program teetering between success and total elimination, thanks to government sponsored Title IX laws.
Eric Anson has worked his whole life to become an NCAA National Champion. It seems that every time he takes a step toward seeing his dream come to fruition, circumstance and a seemingly unbeatable adversary, stand in his way. As the stress of his senior year begins to mount, a knee injury sidelines Anson and forces him to miss the beginning of the season. Then he meets a girl who helps him realize that the only opponent he has trouble beating is the one that lives inside his own mind. However, after another disappointing loss to his rival, Anson turns his back on his teammates and his new found love.
Continue reading at the source.
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