By John Busbee

 

When a major feature film is launched to the public, it already has experienced months, if not years, of preparation for that announcement. Before that, in reverse order, was post-production, production and pre-production. At the earliest stages, was the selection of a good script … in other words, one that is profitable. Add funding and securing marquis above-the-line talent (director, stars) to the mix, too. Between the final three elements of making a film and those initial three elements comes a challenge for many pictures: finding the right locations to make the cinematic magic happen.

 

Almost any interior can be replicated in a production studio. Exteriors are different. The look of a movie must resonate with audiences. The locations become a character in their own rights. Courting a film production to Iowa has its own challenges along the way, but it has been home to some great cinema.

 

This final part of “Heartland to Hollywood” will share insights into the making of cinematic magic. Iowa’s success in bringing major productions within its borders required determination, grit and serendipity. The following two landmark films — “Field of Dreams” and “The Bridges of Madison County” — identified with Iowa provide telling stories of the arduous journey to bring film production to the state.

 

Where to build the baseball field?

The script for 1989’s “Field of Dreams” features the iconic exchange: “Is this heaven?” “No, it’s Iowa.” In the business of making this movie, the location where that line ultimately was to be delivered went through a rigorous vetting, wooing and selling process. “Field of Dreams” producers considered many states, even Canada, for the iconic baseball field location. Iowa had some special people championing it as the selection for the film — Wendol Jarvis and Brian Frankish. 

 

Jarvis was the first manager of the Iowa Film Office, from its founding in 1984 until 2002. His energy and savvy skills served Iowa well, as he brokered the filming of 59 feature films during his tenure. “Field of Dreams” arguably was the crown jewel.

 

“Although Shoeless Joe (the source novel W.P. Kinsella wrote while attending the Iowa Writers Workshop) is set in Iowa, many states and even Canadian provinces vied to attract the project. But after compiling photographs of a host of farms across the state throughout 1987, Iowa Film Office Manager Wendol Jarvis was able to offer what proved to be the ideal site,” wrote Brett Mandel in his book, “Is This Heaven? The Magic of the Field of Dreams.”

 

Jarvis’ network of contacts included Sue Reidel from Dubuque, who first approached the Joe Lansing family who owned the picturesque farm house nestled into a pastoral hillside. That location was just part of the puzzle.

 

Enter the production’s Executive Producer Brian Frankish. The Ohio native producer and director had a Midwestern understanding coupled with an appreciation of Kinsella’s original story; this film had to be shot in Iowa. He stood firm, the location near Dyersville was perfect, and Jarvis supported the production. The path to begin filming “Field of Dreams” in Iowa was set. 

 

TO READ THE ENTIRE STORY AND OTHER FASCINATING STORIES ABOUT IOWA HISTORY, subscribe to Iowa History Journal.