Sports documentaries aim to provide a factual and in-depth exploration of people, events or issues related to sports.
- They are real. Sports documentaries focus on actual events, athletes, teams, or issues within the realm of sports. They often delve into the lives and experiences of athletes, coaches, or other individuals associated with the sports world.
- They tell a story. Sports documentaries tell a compelling story. This may involve the use of narrative techniques, character development, and plot structure to captivate the audience.
- They are authentic. Sports documentaries strive to present an accurate and truthful representation of the events or individuals they cover. This includes interviews that contribute to an authentic portrayal of the subject.
- They are cinematic. While grounded in reality, sports documentaries often employ cinematic techniques to enhance the experience for the viewer, including well-composed shots, creative editing, and the right music.
- They are emotional. Successful sports documentaries evoke emotions, whether it’s joy, triumph, sadness or inspiration.
- They offer an insider’s perspective. Many sports documentaries offer viewers an insider’s look into the world of sports, revealing behind-the-scenes moments, personal struggles, and the human side of athletes.
- They have a social impact. Sports documentaries often explore the broader social and cultural implications of sports. This can include issues such as race, gender, politics, and the role of sports in society.
These aspects make up a good sports documentary.
Source:
Malitsky, Joshua. “Knowing Sports: The Logic of the Contemporary Sports Documentary.” Journal of Sport History, vol. 41, no. 2, 2014, pp. 205–14. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/jsporthistory.41.2.205. Accessed 14 Nov. 2023.
More scientific sources, for future use:
Ourand, John. „Underexposed No More: Inside the Rise of Sports Documentaries.“ Sports Business Journal, 27 Apr. 2020, https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2020/04/27/In-Depth/Sports-docs.aspx.
Spangler, Todd. „Data: A Deep Dive into Sports Documentary Viewership.“ Variety, 2023, https://variety.com/vip/data-a-deep-dive-into-sports-documentary-viewership-1235015077/.
Zahran, Omar. „Balancing Act: The Evolution of Sports Documentaries from Journalism to Propaganda.“ Medium, 2023, https://omarzahran.medium.com/balancing-act-the-evolution-of-sports-documentaries-from-journalism-to-propaganda-3ec646b611ad.
„The Power of the Sports Doc.“ Broadcast Magazine, https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcast-magazine/the-power-of-the-sports-doc/5164913.article.
