Interests

Favorite Sport:

Football

Jackson’s love for football blossomed during his time as a Film Manager for the UNC-Chapel Hill Football Team. From studying game footage to observing practices, Jackson gained a deep understanding of the sport’s intricacies, which sparked his fascination for football’s strategic element. Moreover, he couldn’t help but admire the camaraderie and teamwork displayed by each team. Despite a few stray balls that may have hit him in the head over the years, Jackson’s passion for football continues to thrive.

Favorite Athlete:

Tom Brady

Tom Brady’s journey from a struggling college football player to the most successful quarterback in NFL history is nothing short of inspiring. Despite facing numerous setbacks and challenges, he never gave up on his dream of playing professionally. What Jackson admires most about Brady is his unwavering commitment to self-improvement, his tireless work ethic, and his ability to lead his team to victory time and time again. In Jackson’s opinion, Brady’s impressive record of seven Super Bowl wins and countless individual awards solidifies his place as the greatest underdog in sports history.

Experimenting with Virtual Reality

Jackson is captivated by the seemingly limitless potential of virtual reality technology. From the moment he first tried Google Cardboard, he knew that VR was a game-changer. His passion for the medium only grew when he had the opportunity to create his own VR world under the guidance of Dr. Steven King. The experience not only honed Jackson’s technical skills but also solidified his belief that VR is the future of entertainment, education, and beyond. With advancements in technology and increasing accessibility, Jackson can’t wait to see what the future holds for virtual reality. Whether it’s exploring new worlds, pushing the boundaries of storytelling, or developing cutting-edge applications, he is eager to be a part of the VR revolution.

Photography

For Jackson, photography is more than just a hobby; it’s a way of life. From the excitement of Kenan Stadium to the serene landscapes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, he is constantly on the lookout for moments of unexpected beauty and visual storytelling. Whether it’s experimenting with composition, playing with light and shadow, or exploring new perspectives, Jackson finds joy in the process of capturing the essence of a subject or scene. His passion for photography has led him to undertake a wide variety of projects, from documenting local festivals and events to creating stunning nature landscapes. Through his lens, Jackson aims to share his unique perspective on the world and inspire others to see the beauty in everyday moments.

Researching History

Jackson is endlessly fascinated by the stories and lessons of the past, constantly seeking out new insights and discoveries. His interests span a wide range of historical periods and topics, from the rise and fall of the late Roman Republic to the daring pioneers of aviation in the 1920s and 30s. He is drawn to the rich complexity of these eras, and is particularly fascinated by the triumphs and tragedies of the people who lived through them. Despite his deep appreciation for the weightier aspects of history, Jackson also has a soft spot for “funny” historical stories – the quirky and unexpected moments that reveal the humanity behind the headlines. For Jackson, studying history is not just an intellectual pursuit; it’s a way to connect with the past and gain a deeper understanding of our shared humanity. Through his studies, he has learned valuable lessons about the cyclical nature of human behavior, the power of resilience in the face of adversity, and the importance of embracing change.

Favorite Movie

Deadpool 2

Jackson is utterly captivated by the irreverent humor and clever subversion of genre tropes that makes Deadpool 2 such a standout film. His favorite aspect of the movie is the way it pokes fun at post-western style movies, with a particular focus on “Logan.” From the very first scene, where Deadpool quips about needing to one-up Logan by dying twice, to the film’s gleeful skewering of post-western clichés and themes, Jackson found himself constantly entertained and delighted by the movie’s irreverent spirit. Beyond its surface-level humor and satire, however, Jackson also appreciated the movie’s deeper themes about redemption, self-acceptance, and the importance of finding one’s place in the world. For him, Deadpool 2 represents the very best of modern filmmaking: bold, daring, and unafraid to break the rules in service of telling a great story.

Runner Ups

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Jackson loves Monty Python and the Holy Grail for its clever and irreverent take on medieval story clichés. The movie’s humor and satire never fail to leave him in stitches, especially during standout scenes like John Cleese’s iconic taunting Frenchman routine. But what really makes the movie a runner-up for his favorite is the way it subverts expectations and constantly surprises the viewer with its absurd twists and turns. From the opening credits, which hilariously feature “moose bites” and “self-defense against fresh fruit,” to King Arthur’s comically inept attempts to follow the will of God by lobbing a Holy Hand Grenade at his foes, the movie is a nonstop riot of wit and humor. For Jackson, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a testament to the power of comedy to make us see the world in a new and refreshing light, and a timeless classic that never fails to brighten his day.

Dr. Strangelove

Dr. Strangelove is one of Jackson’s favorite movies because of its absurdity. The movie jokes about the threat of Mutually Assured Destruction. It jokes about how easy MAD could be triggered and the entire world could be turned into a barren wasteland. One of the most memorable scenes in the movie is when Dr. Strangelove nonchalantly starts spitting out figures about how many men and women could be saved and suggesting that there would be a ratio of ten to one females per male. He’s spitting out all of these facts while fighting not to perform the Nazi salute. Even though the world as we know it was ending, the President and Pentagon were already worried about a gap in mine shafts between the US and USSR to house the survivors.

Favorite TV Show

House of Cards

Jackson considers House of Cards as his favorite TV show, largely due to its ability to create complex characters that evoke both attachment and repulsion. He admires how the show tackles various issues present in contemporary politics, including the role of media in politics, the influence of donors and lobbyists, and how art and theater are employed to enrich the storytelling. One of the most intriguing aspects of the show is its use of art to allude to historical events and stories that resemble the plot. For instance, during a scene where a character discusses the possibility of impeachment, a portrait of President Nixon hangs in the background. Overall, House of Cards is a masterful political thriller that captures the complexities of power and corruption in modern politics.

Favorite Character: Francis (Frank) Underwood

Frank Underwood is an amazing character. He is a ruthless and hypocritical character, but no matter how evil he can be you still are drawn to him. Jackson hopes to one day visit Frank’s grave in Gaffney, SC, while wearing his t-shirt inspired by his campaign.

Runner Ups

Gotham

Gotham is a runner-up for Jackson’s favorite TV show because he admires the show’s overall aesthetic, which evokes an 80s crime drama set in modern times. The level of detail put into the production and storytelling is what captivates Jackson the most. The production team pays attention to every detail, both on set and in the storyline, which makes the show feel immersive and engaging.

Favorite character: James Gordon

In every episode, Gordon is in conflict with himself. His fight between justice and the urge for revenge always makes Jackson question which side of him will prevail in that episode and what the consequences will be.

Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones is a runner-up for Jackson’s favorite TV show because of its captivating plot and unforgettable characters. The show kept him on the edge of his seat, constantly questioning who would die next and who would end up on the Iron Throne. Despite the fantasy setting, the show’s exploration of themes such as power, family, and loyalty felt relatable and grounded.

Favorite Character: Tywin Lannister

Tywin Lannister is Jackson’s favorite character in Game of Thrones because of the way Tywin leads. Tywin prefers to play the long game when trying to acquire power in Westeros. He also didn’t seek power exclusively for himself, rather for his son and daughter as well.