Tough Girl Studios

Equinox Women’s Film Festival

Jennifer Hawks, Director & Cinematographer

“My goal for Everything It Takes was to create an incredibly visual story packed with emotional highs and lows but without a Hollywood budget or production crew.”

Mary Helwig

“When I’m out mushing is when I feel closest to God. And to be out in nature with some of my best friends, God’s creation, that’s very spiritual.”

Gary Paulsen

“The maximum expression of running dogs is the Iditarod. You enter a state of primitive exaltation, and you never return. You’re never normal again.”

Lou Holtz

“Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I’ll show you someone who has overcome adversity.”

Everything It Takes Is Now Available

Tough Girl Studios is proud to announce that Everything It Takes is now available for purchase or rental. Mary Helwig stars as herself in this award winning documentary. Shortly before she signed up for the 2016 Iditarod, a 1,000-mile long sled dog race across Alaska, Mary lost nearly everything she owned in the Sockeye Fire. Everything It Takes documents the year of Mary’s life leading up to race day as she and her dogs struggle to ready themselves for the challenge of a lifetime. This high-definition digital film runs 59 minutes and is suitable for all ages.

Jennifer Hawks
Director
Cinematographer
Editor

Jennifer Hawks studied film theory and history at the University of California at Santa Barbara while pursuing her B.A. in literature. As a lifelong storyteller, until recently her tools were limited to photographs and the written word. Everything It Takes is her first full-length feature film.

“Today’s digital cinematography world is very different than it was even a few years ago. It’s now a perfect storm of high tech and low prices. One of my goals for Everything It Takes was to create an incredibly visual story packed with emotional highs and lows but without a Hollywood budget, or a Hollywood-sized production crew.”

With a budget of less than $5,000 and a crew of only herself, Jennifer shot the award-winning Everything It Takes using a simple video camera and two GoPros. However, the lack of resources didn’t detract from her excitement about fulfilling a lifelong dream to write and direct a film. She also enlisted a well-known character actor to join the cast: the scenery of Alaska. From Denali’s snow-covered peaks to its remote and pristine valleys, Alaska was the perfect backdrop for this documentary about persevering despite overwhelming challenges in a harsh environment.

Mary Helwig
As Herself

Mary Helwig always wanted to work with dogs, but while growing up in southern California, mushing never crossed her mind. After her 2006 graduation from North Park University in Chicago with a B.A. in Psychology, she moved to Alaska to work for the Christian non-profit organization, Covenant Youth of Alaska (CYAK.org). She moved to Unalakleet to work as a youth leader in the local church during the winters and head cook at the Covenant Bible Camp 10 miles upriver during the summers.

She also spent many weekends in the villages on the coast from Unalakleet to Nome cooking for youth retreats and working with the local youth. “I had my first experience on a sled during a short women’s dog sled race put on by the Norton Sound Sled Dog Club. I was instantly hooked. After moving from Unalakleet, I worked as a part time handler for Jonrowe Racing Kennel to explore my interest. In 2011, I moved back to Unalakleet to work for Siku Kennel and 2010 Iditarod musher William ‘Middy’ Johnson. I ran my first mid-distance race that season (the Portage 200) and I knew I was all in. I formed my own team in 2013.” Mary is a financial analyst and studying to be a veterinary technician.

Mary continues her recovery from 2015’s Sockeye Fire which burned her Willow, Alaska house to the ground, along with most of her belongings. Mary runs Bravo Kennel, her mid- and long-distance racing sled dog kennel.