A sport film is a movie genre which makes use of sport as the central theme of the movie. It’s a fictional production where a fictional sport, sporting occasion, player, or supporter of sport are heavily featured, and that depend heavily on sport for their plot line resolution or motivation. Many modern movies make heavy use of this style of storytelling to great effect. This is particularly the case with action movies, as they often take place entirely within the sport of sport itself, rather than relying on stories revolving around other elements. It’s this kind of story which can be told using a sport film template. Here’s a guide to some of the more popular kinds of sport film templates.
spectator sports It’s possible to tell a story about any number of games and sporting occasions – from tennis to cricket, football to horse riding, basketball to aerobics. In order to tell an engaging and successful tale, a film needs to focus on a single game or competition, and so the sport element should be central to the story. One very popular form of spectator sport is basketball, which has been depicted in films since the turn of the century, most notably in Michael Jordan’s comeback victory against his former rival; as well as in the Michael Bird movie of the same name. Another example of a story that relies on the sport element is the movie The Perfect Storm, which centres on how the NBA championship series between the 1996 and 1997 NBA finals was won by the Seattle Super Sonics.
Non-physical sports Another element that many modern movies make heavy use of is the element of athletics in sport. Not all forms of sporting endeavour need to make use of athletes, of course; in many ways it’s possible to tell a great story simply from the competition and rivalry between the different teams. One example of this is the long running soap opera That 70s Show, which features a female contestant who competes against other women for the affections of her boyfriend. She uses her physical prowess and skills to win competitions, and also to tease other contestants. The show makes sport an interesting part of a fictional soap opera, and is achieved through jokes about the characters’ training regimes, jibes at their own ability and skill sets, as well as the way they are always trying out for their sport clothes and make-up. As well as using athletes to tell their stories, some films will include images of certain famous sport stars such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Montana and Arnold Schwarzenegger, to highlight certain aspects of the stories.
Popular sports As previously mentioned, one of the factors that makes sporting events fascinating is the level of competition that the various games or competitions have. One of the most popular sports in the world is tennis, with its famous grand slams, and the numerous other low-level competitions, such as Wimbledon and the Aegon Championships. Tennis also tends to feature several famous and popular sports celebrities, including Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Kim Clijsters. The popularity of these sporting icons ensures fair competition throughout the year, ensuring a never-ending stream of television coverage and advertisements for the sport. Other popular sports include football, golf, hockey, motor-bike racing, sailing, cricket and swimming.
Spectator sport Taking part in any sporting activity can be an extremely fun time, which can help people to relax and take a step back from the daily grind. However, sometimes the game itself can be highly competitive, which can take its toll on players and teams. Some popular spectator sport activities include auto racing, motor-bike racing, water skiing and ice skating. While these sports can be incredibly dangerous and exciting, they do help promote professionalism and team spirit, which can prove a boon for the country involved. Many governing bodies exist to ensure the safety of those taking part in any sporting events, and there are many rules and regulations in place to ensure the safety of spectators and participants alike.
Professional sport When it comes to the world of professional athletics, there is no doubt that the most famous teams and athletes earn large paychecks, receive world-class facilities and travel around the world to compete. This kind of exposure and respect cannot be achieved through anything else. Many countries rely upon their professional sports teams and athletes for inspiration and development. Many talented young athletes throughout the UK are motivated to pursue a career in the sports industry once they see what the big boys are doing.