Novice director of 'Wrestling' grapples with first film fest
It's not his style.
With a beat-up backpack and a beard the size of Noah's, this first-time Sundance director seems more like a local than a man in the middle of one of the biggest film festivals in the country.
That could be because Cowley graduated from Brigham Young University and filmed his short flick, "The Loss of a Wrestling Match," in Orem with a high school student who had never before acted. Or it could be because Cowley is still a little insecure — like the character in his film who is obsessed with winning, who cries when he loses.
Or maybe it's because Cowley is so far from jaded that he's excited, even for a high-school English class to watch his first and only film. Whatever the reason, Cowley is different.
He's talented. He's normal — and his normality makes attending the Sundance Film Festival for the first time, with all the parties and press junkets and screenings and publicists, pretty normal, too.
"I think I make films because I like people and I like to think about life and our situation here as human beings and how crazy it is to live on this earth," Cowley says. "It's been kind of hard to associate myself with all of these other filmmakers (at the Sundance Film Festival). It's been hard to be confident about my film and pass out fliers and say, 'Come see my film,' but once I got past that and realized they're just people who are trying to tell stories, it's been easier to be comfortable."
In 2006, as a senior at BYU, Cowley paid $3,000 to fund his 11-minute film. "I haven't made any money as of yet," he says.
That's why Cowley is trying to enjoy his festival experience on a budget, staying with family in Utah County and commuting to Park City every day for his appointments and screenings.
It's a stark contrast to the number of A-list Hollywood celebrities who bunk in multimillion-dollar condos and are smothered in free gifts for the duration of the festival. When Cowley's presentation at Treasure Mountain Middle School ended, he was simply looking for something to eat.
"I wonder if there are any places where filmmakers can get free food," Cowley said lightheartedly.
He had to settle for a free Balance bar and bottle of juice, but Cowley wasn't bothered. Later, there would be a wine party, and Cowley, who doesn't drink alcohol, thought he might find some morsels of food there.
Recent comments
Congrats Jed! How exciting!!
Good Luck at Sundance.
Traci | Jan. 29, 2008 at 11:34 p.m.
Proud of you Jed.
Nice to be enjoying a good wrestle w/o cutting...
Keith W | Jan. 29, 2008 at 8:53 p.m.
As this future star's older brother, I just wanted to say Jed...
Jared Cowley | Jan. 29, 2008 at 3:19 p.m.
