Luther College professor Thomas C. Johnson's documentary film "Marieke" based on the award winning Dutch Gouda cheese maker Marieke Penterman to air on IPTV

Luther College professor Thomas C. Johnson will have another one of his documentaries shown on Iowa Public Television's "The Film Lounge."

IPTV has announced it will be airing "Marieke," a documentary about the life and craft of acclaimed Dutch Gouda cheesemaker Marieke Penterman from Thorp, Wisconsin.  The documentary is the latest from Johnson, whose documentary about Decorah iron pour artist Kelly Ludeking was shown on last year's "Film Lounge" on IPTV.
 
"The Film Lounge" is produced by Iowa Public Television in partnership with the Iowa Arts Council and Produce Iowa.  Iowa Public Television will air the films during two, one-hour episodes in February. More information about the air dates will be announced as they are confirmed.

The project began a year and a half ago in March 2016 when the Dean's Office at Luther College awarded Jack Ross, a 2017 graduate of Luther College, and professor Johnson funding for a student/faculty summer research project.

Luther College Director of Visual Media Aaron Lurth, knew of Marieke Penterman and her award-winning Dutch Gouda cheese.  After a few conversations between Johnson and Lurth, they decided her story was one they wanted to tell.

Johnson and Lurth reached out to Marieke in late April 2016.  Johnson said, "Marieke took a look at some of our previous work, most notably, Ironhead (2015), and was on board shortly thereafter. In early May 2016, after I spent a day with her at Marieke Gouda, everyone involved felt good about the project moving forward.  All told, Marieke was very willing to take part in the process.  When (we were) on location, she and her staff were welcoming and gave us full access to whatever we needed."

Beginning in early June 2016, Ross and Johnson did script and research and then brought in Lurth for pre-production and production. On location, Lurth did the shooting, Ross did sound recording and Johnson directed.  After Ross and Johnson edited the film to its final cut, Johnson handed it off to Luther College Associate Professor of Music Brooke Joyce, who wrote the music.  After that, Lurth did the color.  In May 2017, Johnson began submitting the film to festivals.  

Johnson's favorite parts of making documentaries include working with a talented team of people and seeing and feeling a documentary film change from one stage to the next.  

Johnson is teaching COMS 258: Concepts of Media Production and Paideia 111: Enduring Questions this fall and is already thinking and researching on potential subjects and ideas for his next documentary.

Thomas C. Johnson

Aaron Lurth

Jack Ross

Brooke Joyce