Sports Video for Fun or Profit (page 2)

3. Video Scrapbooks

Another good project for those who want to create sports videos is the creation of video scrapbooks or video yearbooks. This is a bit more involved since you will shoot a series of games or events all year or for an entire post-season to gather highlights for use in the scrapbook reel. Be sure to shoot more than just the game itself; coaches and players on the bench, victory dances, high fives and mascots can provide excellent highlight footage. Halftime shows, cheerleaders, fans in the stands and closeups of players' facial expressions would be likely shots to include in your video scrapbook tape.
After you've gathered your footage, select dramatic and interesting shots to create a music montage, or write narration to tell the story of the team's season. Watch NFL Films to see how it's done. To fill out the story, conduct interviews with players and coaches, asking them to describe key plays that you've captured on tape.
These video scrapbooks can become an excellent source of income for you, given how popular this sort of keepsake video has become. Consider marketing these videos to the players or families during the year, with delivery at the end of the season. Be forewarned, this sort of season-long project can be quite a large undertaking. Don't promise what you cannot deliver.

4. Personal Highlight Reels

You might also consider producing a tape highlighting a particular player rather than an entire team. Some players and their families would certainly be willing to pay for these highly personalized tapes; imagine how much a grandmother would enjoy getting a tape showing her granddaughter's best plays of the year. These personalized highlight tapes may be of greatest interest to talented players with professional sports aspirations. Who knows, you may have the opportunity to compile a highlight tape for the next Kobe Bryant or Tiger Woods.
A series of interviews with a featured player will add interest and provide insight to the athlete's dreams and aspirations. Have the player describe key plays, challenges and goals throughout the season.

In the End Zone

These ideas are just a starting point; once you start shooting the games that people play, you will find many ways to improve on these four approaches to sports video. Remember that experimentation is the one key to video production. Play around with your camera and other gear to learn their capabilities and to come up with even more ideas. Watch sports on television and copy what you can from the pros.
In addition to gathering video for athletes, fans and coaches, shooting sports video will provide an excellent workout of your camera skills. Following a game's action, shooting the key plays made by each side and keeping up with the frequently hectic pace of sports are all part of the game; a game in which you can hone your existing video production techniques and learn new ones. So don't just sit there, put on your sneakers and get into the game.