We’ve all seen a sports movie or television show over the years, and we can all formulate an opinion based on what we’ve seen. Now while there are going to be many different ’takes’ on this subject matter, one thing seems to be clear above all else: there are some great stereotypes and there are some awful ones within this genre.
Today, we want to try and uncover the best and the worst as we continue to back the idea that sport-based shows & movies on the big screen are, more often than not, much more fun than any of the alternatives.
HATE - Romance Angle
We understand that there sometimes needs to be a bit of added drama thrown into the mix in order to keep the story ticking along, but why does it always have to be about the romance side of things?
It’s a central component of many shows and movies but more often than not, in situations such as these, the directors make it seem as if they’ve thrown it in just for the sake of it. They aren’t willing to try and hide or disguise that fact one way or another, which is just lovely.
LOVE - A Great Comeback
Whether it’s a soccer team that needs a late goal or a football team that is down by 28 points, you need to feel like anything is possible when you’re watching a sporting phenomenon transform before your very eyes.
It shouldn’t be so ridiculous that you’re led to a point where it becomes a bit silly, but there is a certain line that many directors and writers know how and when to cross. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea and we can happily admit to that, but we’re fans of the concept.
HATE - Slow Motion
Cringeworthy is the word that comes to mind when we allow our minds to drift towards a state of slow-motion chaos. Nobody enjoys it, nobody wants to see it, and it’s overused to the point where it makes the film or scene look incredibly cheap.
It always makes it feel like the slow-mo is being utilized as a way to stretch out a scene just for the sake of it. If we want things to go in slow motion we’ll do it ourselves – but otherwise, try and find more original forms of storytelling.
LOVE - Use Of Music
Music builds up the intensity of just about any production and while it can be used poorly (and has been), there are often little gems of tracks that really make us feel something.
The cheesier the moment the more ridiculous the music tends to be, but it’s all about fitting into the expectations of the audience. If you quite literally cannot take your eyes off of the television or cinema screen as a direct result of the goosebumps you’re feeling from the choice of music, then that is as clear of an indication as any that they are doing things right.
HATE - Unrealistic Ability
It’s all well and good thinking that the unbelievable is actually doable, but when soccer players are doing overhead kicks by jumping 50 feet into the air, things start to get a little bit bizarre. We want to be totally ‘into’ what we’re watching because if we aren’t, it may as well be any other work of fiction.
We’re dealing with something that actually happens on a day to day basis around the world – not something that has been created by George Lucas. A lot of fans are going to be specific to the details.
LOVE - Great Commentary
Get real commentators in that actually commentate on the sport in question every single week. They may not be the best actors in the world, but let’s face it, most of them are acting when they’re working anyway. If the actors pretend to be commentators then they won’t be able to capitalize on certain mannerisms that come naturally to those in the job.
You could argue that certain productions don’t require the use of commentators and that’s fine because we don’t want them to be forced in there for the sake of it, either.
HATE - Cliffhangers
One minute it feels like you know what’s about to happen next, and then seconds later, the credits are rolling to ensure that you don’t quite find out what happened until the sequel or next episode actually airs (or, in some instances, the cliffhanger is left to the imagination).
Sometimes they have a genuine aim and direction for what is going to happen next, but most of the time, it feels pretty cheap. They know that the audience doesn’t like to leave things unresolved so they’re going to come back for more.
LOVE - Realistic Vocabulary
We want the characters to be using forms of communication that people in the know will understand. As we’ve been trying to make crystal clear, this is the sort of thing that will assist in getting people to believe wholeheartedly in what they are watching and listening to.
Focus too much on stereotypes and you lose the core audience that would’ve otherwise been happy to stick with you. “What a super duper touchdown!” - probably a legitimate quote from somebody in a film or TV series from people that are out of touch.
HATE - Good Guys Always Win
Sometimes the bad guys, or people who are perceived to be the bad guys, win – and that’s just part of life. We can’t always get what we want and we need to work hard for that. One series that taught us how to lose was Rocky because Balboa didn’t always come out on top.
It’s somewhat unrealistic to expect everything to go to plan, even if it is scripted. Heck, even in the world of professional wrestling you’ve got guys and girls who are ‘babyfaces’ that will lose to heels.
LOVE - Using Real Life Events
You need to be careful when using real events to tell a story in any form of media because the details are the most important part. When people get it right, though, it often turns out to be a masterpiece.
It helps us, and a whole new generation, to feel and understand what is happening. Moneyball seems to be the shining example that people use in relation to this because they didn’t make the whole thing feel all too complicated. They hit every anecdote they needed to and they did it in style and with grace.
