June 2023 - Sport and Motion

choreographer instructing sports talent on set

A Day in the Life of a Sports Choreographer

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By: mattd

June 16, 2023

Ever wondered what it would be like to step into the Sport & Motion team’s shoes for a day?

We offer many services, including sports consultation, management, event planning and more.

Something else we provide is sports choreography.

This is the art of really putting on a show and using sports talent to captivate and engage an audience.

Sports choreography can be used in many different settings, from blockbuster movies to local events.

While you may be familiar with sports being used in advertisements and sports productions, you might not always think of the person behind the routine.

A choreographer ties everything together and turns sport into a story.

In this blog, we thought we’d show you what the normal process of sports choreography looks like.

Let’s take a look.

Assessing What you Have to Work With

All great sports choreography starts with a plan.

This is much more than just watching people freestyle or showcase their skills. It is a multi-faceted approach, and everything from the setting of the production to the music playing over it has to be taken into account as it is planned out.

It all starts with the talent.

Many sports productions revolve around the people who star in them. Depending on their skillset and experience, you will have to work out their role, and make sure the choreography is something they can achieve and thrive in doing.

Next up is the music. As mentioned above, this is an integral part of the production, and what the music is like can change the whole feel of it.

If it’s quick and upbeat, you will need choreography that is fast-paced and frantic. Something slower may require something more nuanced and will focus more on expression and emotion.

Once you have the talent and the music, and you know the setting your production will be in, you can get to work creating a plan.

Building a Connected Plan

You have all the ingredients for a great sports production, so now is the time to mix them together and create something special.

Using your knowledge of the sports talent, music, and setting you have, work out how best you can really put on a show and grab your audience’s attention.

There are many different aspects to consider here. For example, are you promoting a brand? If so, this will need to be front and centre with the production focused around that.

Are you simply trying to entertain? Then instead of a brand being at the forefront, the athletes need to be so that they can really showcase their skills.

Every movement needs to be mapped out with precision, and every second accounted for. This is especially true in advertising, where you only have a very limited time to get your story across.

Develop a plan for how you would like the production to look, making sure it is achievable and that the athletes can handle the actions given to them.

Once you have the plan, you can start to really see the production come to life.

The Rehearsal Stage

Something that is paramount to a smooth production is practise.

This is a rigorous phase, because when the cameras are rolling or the audience is watching, you may only have once chance to get it right.

Work closely with the athletes as they go through the production to get it just right. If you notice any issues or things that could be better, then now is the time to act on them and make sure they are perfect when the time comes for the final product.

While rehearsals may not always be the most fun part of sports choreography and can be a lot of time spent repeating identical actions, it is worth every second.

Not just for the fact it burns the moves into the memories of your sports talent, but because it also breeds confidence in the performers that they can get it right.

Be supportive and encouraging, and make sure everyone involved in the production is ready to perform their role in the right way and you’re sure to have a successful show.

Performance Time

Once the rehearsals are done, the time has come for the main performance.

You may think as a sports choreographer your work now is done, but that is not the case.

Everything must be well prepared and all sports talent readied. This includes calming any nerves, boosting confidence, and making sure everyone knows their roles down to the last second.

As the cameras roll, the sports choreographer will be paying close attention and making sure that everything goes to plan.

If you get multiple takes, they will be keeping a close eye on everything that works and also things that don’t work so last-minute alterations can be made until the perfect formula is found.

While this can be a stressful part of the job, it is also a very rewarding part, and seeing something you have planned in your mind and worked hard to create finally come to life is always a great feeling.

Once done, give some last-minute feedback to the talent involved, letting them know how their performance was and congratulating them on a job well done.

You work here is now done, but it’s always good to maintain a strong relationship with the good sports talent you have been working with in case you need them again on another shoot, so always be friendly and courteous and make sure to hold on to any contact details.

Sports Choreography with Sport & Motion

If you’re looking for a sports choreographer to help plan and create an amazing production for your next project, then why not get in touch with Sport & Motion.

Our team have years of experience putting on great shows and would love to help you do just that.

Want to know more? Why not check out our previous work to see the kind of stuff we can create.

How to Use Sports Stars for Your Marketing Campaign

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By: mattd

June 16, 2023

For many years, sports stars have been used in sports productions to help market new products.

From Usain Bolt advertising lightning-fast internet speeds, to Thierry Henry adding a bit of ‘va va voom’ to a car advert, these global figures make great additions to any advertising campaign.

Sports stars and influencers bring many things to an advert, including big followings and inspirational stories.

But how can you utilize them in your next production?

Well, here at Sport & Motion, we’ve worked with global stars from Anthony Joshua to Marcus Rashford to create some great marketing videos, and here’s a guide on how you can do the same.

Let’s take a look.

The Power of Sports Influencers on Marketing

Sports influencers are the perfect figures to use to market any brand, and there are many reasons why.

Whether you are a sports brand, or any other type of business, having a recognisable sports star featuring in your story is a big help in attracting a wide audience base and catching a viewer’s attention.

And they aren’t the only benefits:

Targeted Audience – If you are selling something related to cricket, for example, there is a high chance the people interested in the product will also be interested in the stars of the sport. If you can feature these in your marketing, you are appealing directly to the audience you are hoping to target which is just what you want.

Credibility – Something that helps to sell a product is endorsements from experts in the field. This means if you can get a professional cyclist to advertise a new helmet and say it works really well, many people will trust what is being said much more than if it was just an ordinary member of the public.

An Emotional Connection – Sport is a highly emotional thing. Nike has a great advertisement that takes you straight to Tiger Woods going through many steps of his career, before winning his 15^th major. Marketing like this can help to bring the exhilaration felt watching these events unfold back and create a real buzz around an advert.

Wide Reach – Sports stars have a huge global reach that encompasses much more than many brands. For famous figures in the world of basketball, football, and more, their fans and followers are in the millions. This means that if they feature in an advertisement, you already have a massive audience who will be interested which can really help in growing the reach of your company and product.

Better Engagement – The idea of marketing is to get people engaged. This can be tricky when you only have a twenty or thirty second timeslot. Using sports stars is a great way to immediately catch people’s attention and get them commenting, sharing, and liking the content, which is a great way to let it grow organically.

These are just a few ways sports influencers can boost your marketing, and if you’re now thinking of using one in your next campaign, here are eight ways you can do it.

8 Ways to Incorporate Sports Stars into Your Sports Production

Tell Their Story

If you can get a viewer engrossed in a story, then this is great for marketing. Not only will they feel the emotion throughout, but they will also remember the campaign and want to know more.

Stories are great ways of showing how a sports star has overcome adversity, achieved their goals, and forged their successful career.

If you can align this with your brand, you’re sure to capture many people’s attention.

We shot this advert with Son Heung-Min (and a sports body double) which showed a little bit of his transition to European football, and how through his skills he has shone to overcome any negativity and become a global star.

Showcase Their Skills

What many people want to see from sports influencers (check out our blog on the rise of sports influencers for extra reading) is some exceptional skills.

Many influencers may not be known on a global scale but will be well followed in their own field.

Take this advertisement we helped shoot for Toyota, in which a BMX freestyler captures the viewer straight away with some stunning skills.

In this case, the fluid motion of the bike is replicated in the car, which is what was used to really sell the product.

If you can show exceptional talent and use this to incorporate your brand into a powerful marketing message, then you’re sure to make a stunning video.

Even better if you can show them performing the skills using your product to help them.

Have Them Interact with the Public

Not all marketing campaigns have to tell a story.

Some can simply be a sports influencers getting out in the public and setting challenges.

They can compare their skills to the people they meet and allow the chosen few to be star features in the film as well.

This is a great way of making your brand feel fun, and creating something that feels really organic and natural.

We recently shot this video during the Leeds United vs Liverpool Premier League match, using a female freestyle football influencer to wander through the match-going fans setting challenges whilst incorporating the product, which makes for a really compelling watch.

This kind of approach works really well when it comes to putting videos out on Social Media channels such as Instagram and Tik Tok.

Place Them in the Heart of the Action

Not all action has to appear on the pitch.

You can also incorporate different stories that really get the heartrate rising, such as we did in this advertisement for the Barclay’s Women’s Super League.

We set the scene with a traditional photo shoot before everything burst into action with a frenzy of activity.

This was an exciting advert that not only had plenty of thrills, but also gave the sports stars a way to showcase their skill in a different way than expected.

If you want to really grab the attention of the viewer at home, then putting your stars in situations such as this which are outlandish and explosive is always a great way to do so.

Show a Different Side to Them

Many sports influencers are only ever seen in their kit taking part in sporting events.

This isn’t their whole life though, and if you can show a different side to them, such as we did in this advertisement for Nivea starring Ben Youngs, it creates a heartfelt and warming production.

By seamlessly skipping between him starring in an England rugby union shit, and also him at home playing with his children, we showed many different aspects to not just the sports star, but also the man.

This is a great way to get people to relate to your chosen influencer and be able to really see what they are like outside of the sport and what is important to them, which can be really appealing to a watching audience.

Set Them a Challenge

We’ve mentioned earlier about how a great video is made by an influencer setting the public a challenge, but what about doing it the other way around?

Sports influencers have mostly gotten to where they are through exceptional skill, so why not put this to the test.

Have a heavyweight boxer on a punching machine, or a long-distance runner trying to break records and showcase the action in your advertisement.

Alternatively, why not take them right out of their comfort zone and challenge them to something they don’t excel in.

This is a great way of creating something a little bit different and adding a touch of humour to your production, such as what we did with Jamie Redknapp when we advertised Rana.

Place the Viewer in Their Shoes

Some sports productions can feel like a really immersive experience.

If a video can pick you up from your couch and place you right in the middle of a sports scene, then this is sure to captivate you from the get-go.

We used stars from Manchester United to shoot this video for Adidas, which takes you straight into the heart of the dressing room before taking you out on the training pitch and showing you some action.

This is a great way of putting the viewer into the sports star’s shoes, and showing the exciting and sometimes brutal nature of the sports they excel in.

By doing this, your viewer can really appreciate the skills of the athlete and for a short while feel like they are the one stepping onto the hallowed turf.

Add Some Humour

Everyone likes to have a laugh, so why not use your sports star to add some humour to your advertisement?

There are many ways that you can do this, including really taking them out of their comfort zone, or getting them to overexaggerate the character traits they are well known for.

This is what we did with David Ginola, who is known for his good looks and footballing talent, and through him (plus our very own Colin Nell showcasing his football skills) we used his personality to really sell the brand and in this case the competition.

This is a great way of creating something memorable that may stand out among the other, more traditional sports productions.

Sports Production with Sport & Motion

If you would like to create stunning sports productions using amazing sports influencers, talent, choreography, and more, then Sport & Motion are here to help.

Our team can help pinpoint the perfect sports stars for your project, and even choreograph and direct the final piece to make sure it is just right for representing your brand.

Whether a short social media clip, or a long advertisement, we can help, so get in touch today to find out more.

Key Characteristics of a Good Sports Casting Agency

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By: mattd

June 16, 2023

Ever wondered how the sports talent you see on the screen finds their way into the productions they are starring in?

Well, it is often down to a sports casting agency.

This is a team that spots talented individuals and finds the perfect role for them in upcoming sports films and advertisements.

But what makes a good sports casting agency?

Well, we’ve created this guide to let you know just that.

But first, let’s start at the beginning.

What Does a Sports Casting Agency Do?

Sports talent casting is much more than just seeing an individual who possesses good skills and placing them in front of a camera.

There are many varied roles that an agency will undertake, including:

Talent Identification – An agent should have a keen eye for spotting potential sports talent. This doesn’t just mean established professionals, but also up-and-coming athletes who can really add something to a production.

Career Guidance – It can be hard for athletes to know the best steps to forge a career in this industry. A sports talent casting agent will have plenty of experience in this field and will provide advice and guidance throughout a sports talent’s career to ensure they’re always on the right track.

Finding the Perfect Role – When a role does come up, a casting agency won’t just put anyone forward for it. They will scan their database to find the perfect match not just for the production, but also for the athlete themselves.

Negotiations – There is always the business element of this industry to consider, and a good casting agency will always be by your side as you discuss contracts for roles you are working on, to make sure you always get the best deal.

Get to Know the Industry – A sports casting agent who has been working in this field for a long time will have many contacts that can help their clients fulfill their career goals. From marketers to coaches, having these opportunities to network is always valuable.

There are many other aspects to this role as well, and if you want to know more, why not check out our ‘what is a sports casting agency’ blog.

Now let’s take a look at what makes the ideal sports casting agency, and what five skills are crucial to being successful.

5 Key Skills of a Good Sports Talent Casting Agent

An Observative Eye

The first step to building a strong database of clients is knowing how to spot talent.

While some individuals may possess a strong skillset, there are other factors to consider here, such as the ability to perform in front of a camera or crowd, and the attitude and personality of the sports talent in question.

Through watching many different athletes, a sports talent casting agent will be able to notice subtle nuances in performance that may go unnoticed by an untrained eye.

They will also be able to really assess and evaluate an athlete, taking into account all of the physical and mental attributes that will allow the agent to always pick the perfect opportunity for them.

A Strong Knowledge of Sports

Another vital skill a sports casting agent should possess is to have an extensive knowledge of various sports.

This is imperative for helping to spot talented individuals as well as getting an understanding of the productions that you are working on.

When it comes to viewing talent and helping to create great sports productions, knowing the rules and key components of all sports is vital.

You may have tennis stars mixing with long-distance runners in your database, and being able to spot what makes them so skilled and how they can showcase their talent in the right way is benefitted by knowing the sports that specialise in.

A Personable Approach

We’ve mentioned networking already in the blog, and it is important that a casting agent is effective in communicating with directors, clients, and beyond.

Growing your network is vital in spreading your knowledge base and also helps to get notified of great new opportunities that you may not have been made aware of before.

Having great networking skills will mean that you are always updated on upcoming events, industry trends, and new talent.

It is also vital you can effectively get your points across to your clients and directors. This will help as you guide your clients throughout their careers and ensure that you can build a relationship that is based on trust, constructive feedback, and a friendly rapport.

Good Business Skills

You mustn’t forget that this is a business, and a competitive one at that.

While getting your sports talent in front of directors and getting them recognised is a huge part of the role of a casting agent, it is also important that you have the business acumen to make sure you can close deals and always keep both parties happy.

Managing the landscape of athlete sponsorships and branding can be tricky, and that’s why an agent has to always have a keen understanding of the sports market and how the business works.

Knowing this inside out will ensure your clients always get the best deals around and that they’re always in safe hands when it comes to the business aspect of the role.

A Flexible and Adaptable Approach

Like many industries, the world of sports is always adapting and changing.

New trends emerge and new ways of working mean a flexible and adaptable approach is always needed to ensure you’re always current and providing your clients with the best opportunities for their careers in this exact moment.

This is vital if you are looking for long-term success in this industry.

This also means being flexible to what makes a client great, and having an open mind when it comes to all different sports and all different approaches to that sport.

Having an open mind will allow you to always see the best in the sports talent in front of you and always have your finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest trends.

Sports Casting with Sport & Motion

If you’re looking for a sports casting agency that has all of these skills and more, then why not get in touch with Sport & Motion?

Our team has years of experience working with a wide range of sports talent and has a huge database of happy clients whom we constantly find great roles for.

Why not check out some of our previous work to see exactly what we can provide for you and your career?