Genre Research

Sports Drama

Overview

Sports drama is a subgenre of sports, generally focusing on a conflict (internal or external) surrounding an athlete or team. Often times, this genre highlights conflicts within the sports industry like racism, mental health, eating disorders, and sexism. This genre also often tells historical stories of athletes or teams. 

Genre Conventions

The main elements of a sports film are as following:

1) The film's narrative world has an idealistic view that anybody who works hard will succeed (claiming that the athlete being highlighted deserves to succeed, which can be unrealistic when compared to real life experiences)

2) A resemblance to the real world, meaning the sports/athletes portrayed imitate those in real life. Often times this means telling the story of a real athlete in history.

Examples

Here are some films within this genre I am looking into/taking inspiration from:

In a Psychological analysis on I, Tonya , the movie is described as "a movie about Tonya Harding who survived and went through abuse, mental trauma, and years of hard work and pain to get where she was," much like the protagonist of Runner Up. This film, like many other sports dramas, is based on a real life athlete in history.  

The Wrestler on the other hand follows the retirement of a fictional character, Randy "The Ram" Robinson, who was a professional wrestler (WWE not ACTUAL wrestling lol). In this film, he discovers how to live a life beyond his now finished career, just like the protagonist of Runner Up has to do.

Common Techniques

1. Training Montages: These are dynamic sequences showcasing intense workouts and preparation set to motivational/hype music (usually rap or metal.)

  

2. Underdog Narrative: A story of resilience, perseverance, and determination as underdogs defy the odds to achieve success in their sport. Plus who doesn't want to root for an underdog? Characters in sports dramas usually have a hard time achieving their goal.

3. Game Sequences: Climactic moments of intense sports action portrayed through dynamic camera work and sound effects.

4. Flashbacks: Insights into characters' pasts and motivations (or failures) through glimpses of significant events. (HINT HINT RUNNER UP)

5. Coach-Player Dynamics: Exploration of mentorship, conflict, inspiration, or even toxicity between coaches and athletes. 

6. Emotional Storylines: Stirring narratives that delve into themes of redemption, teamwork, and the "triumph of the human spirit."

7. Soundtrack: Carefully selected music that heightens the emotional impact and sets the tone for key moments. These include but are not limited to:

• Motivational Anthems
• Epic Orchestral Scores
• Iconic Theme Songs
• Integration of Diegetic Sound
• Emotional Ballads

8. Character Arcs: Personal growth and transformation experienced by protagonists throughout the film.

9. Cinematography: Visual techniques capturing the energy and physicality of sports through dynamic camerawork and framing. These include but are limited to:

• Handheld Cameras
• Slow Motion Shots
• Tracking Shots
• Extreme Close-ups
• Aerial Shots

10. Realism vs. Dramatization: Balancing authenticity with dramatic storytelling to engage audiences while honoring the essence of the sport.

Marketing

In the realm of marketing for sports drama films, there's a clear shift towards digital platforms and targeted engagement. Social media campaigns, collaborations with athletes, and partnerships with streaming services are key strategies. Personalized tactics and multi-channel approaches ensure maximum impact and resonance with audiences. For example, a sports drama film might partner with a professional sports league to release exclusive content on their official social media channels, capitalizing on the league's large fan base to generate excitement and anticipation. Additionally, the film could collaborate with streaming platforms to offer behind-the-scenes documentaries or virtual watch parties, creating immersive experiences for audiences and driving subscriptions.

Side Note - As much as I would love to make Runner Up tell the story of a female in the predominantly male sport that is wrestling, one that I personally relate to, in terms of resources it is more accessible for me to find two high level male wrestlers to act. This is because apart from myself, there are no women on our school's wrestling team, and I can't exactly act and direct at the same time (I am very picky when directing). I have already begun to find some (male) people to act, it would just be more tedious to find two women, and regardless this story is about the mental aspect of being an athlete and therefore has nothing to do with gender (as that's another story).

Sources - 

Course Hero. (2022, May 2). A Psychological Analysis of I, Tonya. Portland.

IMDb.com. (2018a, January 19). I, Tonya. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5580036/

Wikepedia Contributors. (2024, February 11). Sports film. Wikipedia.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_film

Encyclopedia.com. (2024, March 14). Sports Films. Encyclopedia.com. https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/sports-films