Spring Break
University alum's doc wins film prize
CHUCK GRIFFIN
Issue date: 6/28/07 Section: Variety
Nothing screams "intrigue" like the mixture of evangelism and pro wrestling.
Athens filmmaker and Grady College alumnus Christopher Childs gained entrance into the Staten Island Film Festival with his first documentary "God's Tackle Box."
The 40-minute film examines the surreal and energetic world of Ultimate Christian Wrestling (UCW), a pro wrestling organization and ministry based out of Canton.
"As someone who had always admired the athleticism and theater of professional wrestling, I was extremely curious to venture into the world of Ultimate Christian Wrestling," said Childs.
In "God's Tackle Box," Childs follows Rob Fields, a Canton middle school teacher and former pro wrestler who found his calling in ministering the word of God through the sport.
"Where as most wrestling shows focus on blood and slamming wrestlers through tables, UCW focuses on actual wrestling, telling a story in the ring, and motivating the audience," said Childs.
UCW's driving force is good vs. evil storytelling with a single motive - to save souls.
"I've never thought of the film having any other purpose than serving to answer my curiosity of the world of evangelical wrestling," said Childs.
"There are no ulterior motives on my part, as the film is intentionally edited so both secular and Christian viewers can have completely different experiences."
Documentary filmmaking was a major ambition of Childs' ever since he began capturing footage of concerts around Athens as a hobby.
"I feel that documentary is a personal and malleable form of film making that can be tailored to one's liking," said Childs.
Getting the film into festivals is a fairly simple process, but promoting it is much more complex.
"'God's Tackle Box' will be entered into a slew of film festivals this fall," said Childs.
Athens filmmaker and Grady College alumnus Christopher Childs gained entrance into the Staten Island Film Festival with his first documentary "God's Tackle Box."
The 40-minute film examines the surreal and energetic world of Ultimate Christian Wrestling (UCW), a pro wrestling organization and ministry based out of Canton.
"As someone who had always admired the athleticism and theater of professional wrestling, I was extremely curious to venture into the world of Ultimate Christian Wrestling," said Childs.
In "God's Tackle Box," Childs follows Rob Fields, a Canton middle school teacher and former pro wrestler who found his calling in ministering the word of God through the sport.
"Where as most wrestling shows focus on blood and slamming wrestlers through tables, UCW focuses on actual wrestling, telling a story in the ring, and motivating the audience," said Childs.
UCW's driving force is good vs. evil storytelling with a single motive - to save souls.
"I've never thought of the film having any other purpose than serving to answer my curiosity of the world of evangelical wrestling," said Childs.
"There are no ulterior motives on my part, as the film is intentionally edited so both secular and Christian viewers can have completely different experiences."
Documentary filmmaking was a major ambition of Childs' ever since he began capturing footage of concerts around Athens as a hobby.
"I feel that documentary is a personal and malleable form of film making that can be tailored to one's liking," said Childs.
Getting the film into festivals is a fairly simple process, but promoting it is much more complex.
"'God's Tackle Box' will be entered into a slew of film festivals this fall," said Childs.
Be the first to comment on this story