What makes a sports video actually work

Most people assume a good sports video just capturing what's happening in front og you . It doesn't. It comes down to what happens before you even press record.

Know the story before the whistle

Every match, race or event has a story running underneath it, a underdog story, a rivalry, a first appearance, a last one. My job before I film anything is to find out what that story actually is, usually by talking to the people involved rather than reading a fixture list. It allows me to deliberately capture the shoots that i need to make that story evident.

Framing for emotion, not just action

It's tempting to chase every ball, every sprint, every goal. But the moments that make people feel something are usually the ones either side of the action, a coach's reaction on the line, a parent in the crowd, the quiet seconds after a final whistle. I try to leave room in the frame for those. Especially if i am a one man shooter, i keep a mental note of what i captured and read the game to see how another shot i foresee coming will match.

Edit for pacing, not length

A three minute edit that never lets up beats a six-minute one that drifts. I cut hard, keep the rhythm matched to the energy of the event, and never let a shot sit on screen longer than it's earning its place.

If you're planning something, a tournament, a marathon, a brand activation and want it to actually land with people who weren't there, get in touch.