As the NBA Playoffs get under way, the Los Angeles Clippers linked up with sponsor Lexus and production outfit Farm League to create a film series blending live action and animation to bring the fans closer to the team for the climax of a season during which spectators and stars have been separated more than usual due to Covid-19.
The documentary-style series, sponsored by Lexus is an additional asset for the car partner after rights reduced due to Covid-19 restrictions, rolled out during April and May as the regular season built to a climax and they aimed to offer fans insights into the players’ lives and to showcase who they are off the court as well as on it.
The last film in a three-part, documentary-style series ‘Life In The League’ launched at the end of May and focused on Clippers’ star Ivica Zubac. The 90-second video explores Zubac’s life, his past experiences and the people who have helped him elevate his game.
The two previous films focused on the lives of Terance Mann (who shared his dreams) and Luke Kennard (who talked about his deep love for the game).
The spots, which were directed by Travis Wood with animation by Blue Cerberus, were deployed across the LA Clippers’ social media channels led by YouTube and Instagram.
All three films were created over a two-month period with the shoot, animation and post process for each individual film taking just 10 days. The pivot to animation and a mixed media approach was the result of pandemic restrictions.
Farm League Director Wood explained: “Creating content during COVID is always a unique experience! Due to regulations and the NBA’s tight schedule we had limited time and access with the players, but luckily we were able to work with the team to execute a remote production despite the fact that our crew was scattered across different locations. When we read the brief and began developing the animation angle, we immediately thought of Dom Rabrun and his Black-Owned animation company called Blue Cerberus. During our research there were so many compelling stories we wanted to tell, but we tried to hone in on the stories that felt the most visual. We also wanted to be timely. For instance, when Terrance Maan told the story of how he’d held onto Rhondo’s rookie card since he was a kid, we loved the story and knew we had to see it visualised. It was such a fun way to allow viewers to learn more about Terrance, as well as celebrate Rondo joining the LA Clippers.”
“We’ve worked with the Clippers in many ways over the years, in both live action lifestyle storytelling (“Life in the League”) and on a documentary project which was released earlier this year (“Stories from Clippers Nation”),” explained Farm League Founder Tim Lynch. “Many of our directors and staff are big basketball fans, so we’ve got a niche knowledge of the game and experience working with athletes that makes us a great partner for them. We collaborate easily with their in-house team, and we work closely with them to really dig in and brainstorm the best beats to showcase the players and fan base.
“This particular project came about due to the extenuating circumstances of the last year. We were limited both in terms of stadium access and filming in Los Angeles, and in terms of player access. Travis Wood came to mind instantly as an interesting possibility to helm the next few films given his experience working with animation and mixed media, both of which seemed like perfect options to explore and to lighten our in-person production footprint,” Lynch continued. “”This campaign is the perfect blend of what we like to do — sports, creative ideation, agile and unique production models, and working with incredible creators top to bottom.”
The films were created for Los Angeles Clippers Executive Director Of Digital Media & Content Charlie Widdoes by a team at Production Company Farm League which included Director Travis Wood, Executive Producers Tim Lynch and Michael Pizzo, Post Producer Theo Fischel-Bock, Creative Director Michael Dozal, Editor Ian McGee and Automotive DP Tobin Oldach.
The animation company was Blue Cerberus with Animation Producer Mikayla Moyer and Lead Animator Dominick Rabrun.
Comment:
As well as the ‘Life in the League’ series, Farm League also created a short documentary film featuring four Clippers’ fans in Los Angeles called ‘Stories from Clippers Nation’.
Lexus, Toyota’s luxury mark, is a long-time sponsor of the LA Clippers and is the title sponsor of the LA Clippers Lexus Courtside “Pop-Up” Club.
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