As I delve into this captivating narrative about NFL Films, I can’t help but feel a sense of admiration for the pioneering spirit that drives this organization. The story of NFL Films is not just about football; it’s about the art of storytelling, the courage to take risks, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
The background of the sports documentary series can be found adorning the walls and echoing through the corridors of a business park located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, which is situated just beyond Philadelphia.
Recently, I had a chance to tour NFL Films’ headquarters in South Jersey, where the walls are decorated with vintage football magazine covers, newspaper headlines, and original artwork by Steve Sabol, who was once president of NFL Films. Inside, there’s a temperature-controlled film archive filled with footage from live games, interviews, and various other recordings that span several decades – a vast collection that fuels their documentary productions.
Walking the corridors was Bill Belichick, the ex-coach of the New England Patriots, who was running a delivery bay (in his iconic hoodie), collecting items to ready himself for his upcoming spot on ESPN’s Manningcast that night. An embodiment of football lore and sports broadcasting history.
Sports documentaries are abundant across various platforms. They can be found in feature films, docuseries, access shows, and on every streaming platform. Moreover, live sports television channels are constantly seeking more of them. With sports taking a larger role on both TV channels and streaming services, content related to sports is also increasing in significance.
NFL Films, established in 1962 by Ed Sabol and his son Steve, played a significant role in shaping the sports documentary format we recognize today, including innovations like instant replay. However, this league-owned production studio, which delivers Hollywood-caliber quality, is not hesitant to challenge its own conventions.
Steve Sabol’s former office has been transformed into a conference room, yet his original desk remains untouched, much as it was before his passing from brain cancer in 2012. Inside the room is a message penned by Sabol, which Ken Rodgers, NFL Films’ executive producer, occasionally peeks at. The note encourages those at NFL Films to preserve tradition while simultaneously being innovative, according to Rodgers.
He also mentioned that the discussion seemed to revolve around style and bravery. It’s quite simple to blindly replicate what has worked well before.
Given the escalating interest in sports content, NFL Films is adapting its business approach as well. A significant aspect of this change involves focusing more on programming that showcases personalities, which is a departure from their usual style of cinema verité-style documentaries, for which they are widely recognized.
Starting in January, they will debut their initial late-evening program titled “They Call It Late Night” featuring Philadelphia Eagles legend Jason Kelce as its host. Last year, NFL Films released the documentary film about the former NFL star, “Kelce“, which is now available on Prime Video. Keith Cossrow, vice president and head of content for NFL Films, mentioned that they developed a rapport with him through this movie. When Kelce began discussing potential NFL analyst roles with various networks, he had the idea for a late-night show lingering in the back of his mind.
Reflecting back, there’s one dream that always accompanies me wherever I go – creating a late-night show. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been captivated by the wit and humor of legends like Conan O’Brien, David Letterman, and Bill Maher. Their work inspires me, especially the panel discussions on Friday nights on HBO. So, my vision is to host a late-night show focused on sports, airing once a week. I envision it having a live band with a horn section, just like they have in Philly. Overhearing this, the team was instantly on board, ready to make it happen. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.
As a dedicated fan, I’d say that being on the late night show feels like a thrilling, nerve-wracking experience, teetering precariously without any safety net, just like Ross Ketover, the senior executive at NFL Films, described it.
Comedy can be tough, and combining it with sports is even harder. However, our live studio show is a fresh and thrilling endeavor. Jason’s natural talent makes him a powerful gust of wind, and we’re overjoyed to collaborate with him. Our partnership with Peyton and Eli Manning has led us into uncharted territories in terms of working with talent, which seems to have rejuvenated our team here.” (Ketover)
It’s equally clear when wandering through Belichick’s customized studio at the NFL Films headquarters. This coach has a private office and conference room, yet his studio serves as a versatile production center for his podcasts, collaborations on the Manningcast and The Pat McAfee Show, as well as other media engagements.
Rodgers believes his passion lies in having a workspace,” he notes. “He serves as our resident coach at the National Football League, spending three days each week here at NFL films… The coach aimed to design a place that felt like stepping into his office, and it’s quite similar to what his New England office used to be.
Truly, my place is overflowing with keepsakes and accolades, ranging from autographed sports balls to a colossal pair of Yao Ming’s size 18 kicks. I feel incredibly fortunate to be a fan who can proudly display such treasures!
Ketover notes that discussing just one play with him could lead to a two-hour conversation. To make the most of this, we should emphasize his strengths and interests rather than pushing him beyond his comfort zone. So, let’s capitalize on what he excels at and is passionate about when utilizing his talent.
In the modern era of sports broadcasting, ventures like those of Kelce and Belichick exemplify a shift where athletes and coaches take center stage as content creators, owning their productions. For instance, look at the business agreements struck by Pat McAfee and Peyton Manning (both ex-NFL players), who air their shows on ESPN under licensing contracts.
According to Cossrow, Kelce appears to be inspired by Peyton Manning, LeBron James, and others who’ve blazed trails, and he seems to believe that many athletes today aspire to create their own brands, generate content, and maintain control over it, forming their unique entities.
NFL Films is collaborating with Skydance as a partner, with the league investing in their joint venture, Skydance Sports – a studio specializing in sports-related content. According to Ketover, his team is currently engaged in talks with Skydance Sports about potential contributions they could make. This might range from providing footage captured during games to enhance the authenticity of scripted shows, or offering unique ideas and creative concepts.
However, NFL Films is modifying the manner in which it creates its primary offering – the football documentary series.
In the year 2001, when the series “Hard Knocks” first aired on HBO, it stood out as something uncommon, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at their beloved football teams, which was then without parallel in terms of access.
Rodgers notes that ‘Hard Knocks’ was a response to NFL films from the 70s and 80s which glorified players and made them seem almost superhuman. In contrast, we aimed to reveal the real people behind the uniform in 2001. This included not just the players on the field, but also those in the front office, ownership, and now even off the field. Our aim was to portray the individual, the person beneath the uniform, rather than creating a mythical version of someone and making them seem larger than life.
19 seasons and numerous Emmy Awards under its belt, the HBO series continues to thrive rather than slow down. Interestingly, NFL Films extended this show last year, introducing an off-season version that trailed the New York Giants’ front office. This edition captured surprising instances such as a conversation with the team and star running back Saquon Barkley, who eventually chose the Eagles in the end.
Ketover remembers that skeptics might have said, ‘There’s nothing happening, no football,’ but he explains that the essence of these access series lies in guiding people into unfamiliar territories.
“The offseason show has a lot fewer players, and it’s a workplace drama,” Rodgers says.
To be honest, I’ve been thoroughly impressed by Cossrow’s claim that numerous executives from diverse sectors have expressed their astonishment over the level of access granted, yet they’ve never witnessed a portrayal of a high-pressure workplace as captivatingly as in this show.
He mentions that numerous individuals working in influential positions within corporate settings have told us how amazing the Giants show is,” he states.
However, the main drive is set for December 3rd, as HBO unveils a fresh take on “Hard Knocks”: This time it’s an in-season version, focusing on not just one team but four from the AFC North division.
If the offseason version of “Hard Knocks” resembles a workplace drama, and the traditional training camp edition plays out like a reality competition series, deciding who stays on the team and who gets released, then the in-season installment presents a fresh concept – teams collaborating to capture their division title, with a definitive victor determined by the season’s end.
As a passionate football enthusiast, I can’t help but feel that someone will triumph in that division, and let me tell you, it adds an extra layer of excitement! It’s a more compelling way to narrate the climax of a football season.
According to Ketover, NFL Films is setting up numerous automated cameras at various team locations within the AFC North “to avoid disturbance, rather than being right on top of someone with a camera above their head or a microphone in their face.
He clarifies that we won’t be disclosing any of their confidential information, nor will we reveal their play calls to the entire sports league.
It’s an intricate ballet involving the league, its 32 member teams, and countless players.
Jessica Boddy, Vice President of Commercial Operations and Business Affairs, emphasizes that we always want any club or player involved in our shows to feel they have equal control, not feeling dominated by the platform managing the event. This is the trickiest aspect to handle.
As I eagerly awaited the release of this game, I could sense the behind-the-scenes hustle and bustle from the interviews with NFL Films executives in The Hollywood Reporter. Even just weeks before its launch, they were still working out the intricate dance of narrating such a complex tale within the tight deadlines they faced.
It’s going to be quite challenging, as there’s a lot we still need to work out, but I believe the best part of our work lies in being engrossed in a creative process, collaborating with a dedicated team. It’s exciting, isn’t it? And when you tune into HBO, you anticipate something exceptional, top-notch storytelling, and that’s exactly what we strive to deliver each time.
He mentions that we can all expect some imperfections in the beginning, but assures us that as we progress through each episode, the rough edges will smooth out. His ultimate goal is to produce something exceptional and captivating, appealing not only to dedicated fans but also to those who might not typically watch television, because it’s simply high-quality content.
It’s crucial for NFL Films and the league itself that they cater to non-fans as well. Last year, Netflix’s show “Quarterback” attracted more women than expected, and the league is keen on broadening the sport’s audience. Notably, both “Quarterback” and its successor “Receiver” topped the Netflix charts.
As a devoted sports enthusiast, I’m captivated by productions that resonate with a diverse array of viewers beyond what “Hard Knocks” offers. It seems the league is taking a strategic gamble, aiming to expand the fan base for this beloved game through these innovative shows.
Rodgers asserts that our company embraces a tradition of taking bold risks, a trait instilled by the Sabol family, which continues to resonate with every team member.
Every year, Steve would award $500 in cash to the most extraordinary example of a failed attempt. In his words, ‘If your endeavor was a flop but it was magnificent in its failure, I’d hand you five hundreds.’ This practice aimed at motivating risk-taking, a crucial aspect in creative pursuits.
That is present in NFL Films’ weekly video meetings.
As soon as you enter the main foyer, there’s an auditorium located on your right side. Every week, Cossrow, Rodgers, and other high-ranking officials convene with producers and employees from different departments to scrutinize videos. They might screen a work in progress by NFL Films or something distinctive created by a rival company.
The only rule is that people give feedback, and don’t feel afraid to hold back.
Rodgers notes that it’s surprising when someone who’s been here for 30 years shares an opinion and another person, who’s only been here for 30 days, disagrees. This happens in our environment where diverse viewpoints are highly valued. It’s empowering to know that expressing your own perspective is not just tolerated but actively promoted, even if it goes against the majority.
Without a doubt, football reigns supreme as the most-watched television program, potentially the final remnant of shared cultural interest amidst an era where entertainment is fragmented across social media platforms and streaming services.
However, NFL Films serves as a passageway into these realms, narrating tales beyond the field’s boundaries, all while continually innovating within the sports documentary genre that it played a pivotal role in creating six decades past.
This tale was initially published in the December 4th edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. If you’d like to get the magazine, simply click [here](link_to_subscribe) to subscribe.
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2024-12-04 01:27