Today’s episode of the Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience is hosted by VSL alumni Alex Cocoros, who sits down with filmmakers Peter Pan and Kaylee Smith to discuss their documentary, Hoops of Heritage. Kaylee, a VSL alumni, and Peter, who will be working with Vegas Summer League (VSL) this year alongside participating in the Summer League Film Festival (SLFF), reflect on the past few months of filming and what this experience has meant to them.
In the episode, they discuss:
If you’re a filmmaker looking to submit your work or want to learn more about the SLFF experience, be sure to stay connected!
Follow SBC: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
In the episode, they discuss:
- The unforgettable basketball culture in Serbia and how the atmosphere exceeded expectations.
- The impact of VSL connections on their filmmaking journey and career growth.
- What makes the SLFF unique and how filmmakers can improve their chances of selection.
If you’re a filmmaker looking to submit your work or want to learn more about the SLFF experience, be sure to stay connected!
Follow SBC: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome to the Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience. I'm Alex
Kacorros and in this series, we're diving into the journeys
of professionals who are making an impact in the sports industry,
from executives to innovators. Each guest will share their story,
the lessons they've learned, and the strategies that help them succeed.
(00:24):
This isn't just about the business of basketball, It's about
life sports and the mindset it takes to thrive in
a competitive world. Each conversation will provide insights and actionable
advice you can use to take your own career to
the next level. Whether you're looking to break into the
industry or sharpen your skills, this series is here to
(00:45):
help you achieve your goals. Let's jump in and learn
from the best. Hello, and thank you for tuning into
the Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience. My name is Alex
Kcoros and it's a special interview today as we're live
at the Whole Pass Media Studios here in Cosa, Mesa, California.
Happy to be joining with filmmakers Kaylee Smith and Peter Pan.
How are you guys doing today?
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Doing well? Thanks for asking how you doing.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Yeah, yeah, no, I'm excited we've made this happen. I
know you guys have been busy. Let's just get right
down to it. These past couple of months have really
been quite the journey for you guys, traveling all the
way to Serbia to shoot your upcoming documentary Hoops of Heritage,
that will be playing at the NBA Summer League Film Festival.
Just kind of talk about that these past two months
and what this experience has really meant for you guys.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Yeah, So, Serbia is an amazing place. We went to
Belgrade and the people there are some of the most
friendly individuals that we have ever met, and especially they're
passion for basketball. It is on a different level. Man.
They will have these big games called Derby's, and they
(01:49):
bring the energy that you only see in soccer games
to these basketball games. It's they will light up fire stakes,
they will light of like flash bangs, they will everyone's smoking,
and it's all packed with twenty thousand people's. Man Like,
the footage looks absolutely something that we have never seen
(02:12):
on American television.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Definitely something we can't compare to in the United States.
It was crazy. Like Peter said, there's flares going off,
there's people smoking inside, everyone's jumping in unison, there's leaders
of the crowds and all of the fans that are
like conducting like all sorts of chants and all movements
and everything. It was. It was wild to say the least.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
And I know, you guys got to go out a
pretty lucky weekend. It was the Red Star versus partisan rivalry.
Our friend Mina from VSL kind of recommended you guys
go during that weekend. Was it as you expected or
just blew your expectations of how that game was and
just the atmosphere of it.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Yeah, it blew us out of the water completely. I
know Mina has been such a huge help on this project.
She's also been co directing and co producing with us,
and it is She warned us for sure, but we
took that lightly, I think a little too lightly, And
it was just absolutely unreal of an atmosphere and it
was just crazy to be down there on the floor,
we were in the stands and just being immersed in
(03:09):
that culture and everyone's so excited. It was craziness.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
The first night we landed, we went to a basketball
game and that was a ABO League game with the
team rest Star. That was what we will call a
normal game here, right, But Mina's you know, giving us
like these expectations that for the for the derby, it's
(03:35):
going to be so many more people, it's going to
be absolutely packed and a player is going to be
a lot harder. And that was absolutely the ch Oh.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Yeah, it was wild.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
That first game that we went to, it was an
OBDE league game with just Red Star and another team.
I forget where they're from, but we were just location
scouting seeing what the arena looked like. Did not compare
to the game that we filmed on the thirty first
of January. That was so much different and it was crazy.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Must have been quite the experience this is, I mean,
for the people who don't know, this is a school
project for you guys. You guys are seniors at Chapman University,
way ahead of your time or way beyond your years,
I should say. I mean, Kaylae, I know we met
at Summer League. You kind of had a pass for basketball,
But how did this you know, interest spark and and
why why did you want to create the story? Ultimately
(04:21):
totally so.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Actually last Summer League we had roommate assignments and my
roommate was Minya, which I was so fortunate and so
happy that that worked out that way, and she was
telling me all about Serbia. I think at this time
I couldn't even tell you where Serbia was on a map,
I'll be honest. But we were rooming together and we
like for two weeks. We always like talked adn'tight, and
we always told each other about like what we did
(04:45):
like back home and everything. And she told me about
the rivalry between these two teams, and I was so
interested and it was so awesome, and we kind of
both came up with like one night, like after a
long day of Summer League, like we came back and
we were talking and we were like, what if we
made a dog metory on this, Like that would be
kind of crazy, and it just was like, ah, like
maybe it'll happen, like through it in the back of
like our head. And then come senior year for me,
(05:09):
I was like, oh, like I'm trying to think of
like thesis ideas, like what is something that I could
make that could turn into something bigger post college? And
so Peter was so awesome to hop on this project
as well. He was amazing on the technical side and
also story structure of this as well. Couldn't have done
it without either two of them. But we hopped on
(05:29):
and we were like, I think this is a great story.
Maybe we should just shoot for it, Like maybe we
should try it. And sure enough, like we went through
the whole process of green light and everything through Chapman
and we were able to go, which was awesome to
see her again in Serbia and you know, didn't have
to wait a full year to see her again.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Full circle moment. Is that that kind of touches on
how the VSL connection runs deep. And you've done two
years at some league now just talk about you know
what VSL has meant for you and all those connections
that you made.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Yeah, I mean it's oh my god, it's been everything.
It has changed so much and also has taught me
so many things as well, valuable valuable skills. I've been
there for two years and I've been a part of
that video content creative team for those past two years
and just learning how workflow works, things to shoot, how
to shoot basketball to it. Especially at a high professional level.
(06:20):
It's not just like high school sports anymore. You're at
professional sporting events and there's famous people there, and how
do you interact with people? You know, it's really important
to have those like social skills and also like those
communication skills as well. One kind of organizing and working
with a team in that manner when there's so much
to do in such a short amount of time, and
(06:40):
then the quick turnarounds too. It's just it's like one
dysfunctional family, but in the best kind of way. Working
together with everybody and the networking has been incredible. I mean,
me and I are still very close friends, and everybody there,
all the other interns as well, like all have my heart.
They're all awesome and they're all doing great things too.
So just keeping touch with everybody is just so great.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
It's a long two weeks, but by the end of
it you're pretty sad that it's over because you're like,
this is this is family for the past fourteen days. Peter,
I want to ask you, because Kaylee said, Oh, I
asked my good friend Peter, if you want to come
on this trip to Serbia where you little hesitant at first,
or this is an experience for that you would you know,
take with you for the rest of your life.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
You know, to be honest, when you told me about Serbia, I'm.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
Like Siberian little hesitant at first, right, I can imagine.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Yeah, And you know, like I did a little research
and I was amazed by how much cultures they're in Serbia, uh,
with the you know, it was part of the Ottoman Empire.
Now after the break break apart of Yugoslavia, they're a
new nation. But this story that we made a film
(07:51):
about is so so much of their core pride as
a nation today and their passion for where and that's
what really attracted me about this story. And especially when
Minya talks about the sport, the sports scene in Serbia
(08:13):
and her whole phase just lights up with pride, and
it's just it's incredible to see that culture, especially in basketball. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
So you guys, we both have kind of got an
idea glimpse of what the second year of the NBA
Summer League Film Festival will be. Like, why do you
think it stands out compared to other sports festivals and
what can filmmakers take from it when they submit their film.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
I think just the fact that the Summer League Film
Festival is a part of the Summer League where you know,
you have stars that just you know, went through a
draft and you know the early stars where they get
discovered and really get tested with their skill. And that
same concept applies to filmmakers in terms of projects that's
(09:02):
still early in the development or the filmmaker who is
looking to get more attention. And I think Summer League
is just the same for the filmmaker as the players
that place during Summer League. And this year especially is
the first year that the Summer League Film Festival we
opened to submissions from any filmmakers on film Freeway, and
(09:27):
so far, all the works that that's been coming in
are amazing, amazing in terms of diversity, amazing in terms
of quality, amazing in terms of the different types of
sports that the story is about. And I'm really excited
to see how this continues to receive more submissions and
(09:52):
as we program the festival.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Yeah, yeah, it was really exciting. I think I was
there last year for the very first year that like
the Film Festival was a thing in Vegas, and it
was really special. And I think like the first year
kicking it off, it's always like Okay, like here's what
we're gonna do, here's the plan. Now it's like see
how it goes and everything, and I think it went
so well. It was awesome to see like the filmmakers
(10:15):
up on the panel after their film screen And I
think having like it like be an event, Having that
be an event alongside Summer League is just really impactful too,
because it's like there's more things to do. You can
walk around the games that are going on, and you
can also stop buy and see a film. Well, like
people love to watch documentaries nowadays. I think that's just
a big thing that's grown, especially sports docks. So like
(10:38):
bringing those people together is just really it's been great.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
Right.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
It's unique because in terms of the fan experience, like
what other festival in the world really can Like a
foot away from the film festival, you have Papa shot,
you have people being an interview at the studio. It's
a unique experience. So that comes with it too. What
do you think in terms of the selection process, what
would what should a filmmaker for in terms of getting
selected and their film being shown.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
I think, you know, with the Summer League Film Festival,
the overall theme and concept is to tell, you know
a good story about sportsmanship, about the sports culture, and
about the hard works that each athlete has to go
through to achieve their goal and to achieve respect and
(11:28):
to achieve the performance that they want in their in
their craft. And just telling that story, whether in the
documentary format, whether in a narrative format, to the most
authentic form is what this film Festival is looking for.
And you know that connects really well with what's happening
(11:51):
right next to the festival, which is the court of
you know, new stars, new drafts, playing to the hardest
to showcase what they're made off, to showcase their skill.
And let's reflect that in the films that's being played
next right.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
So what about because we were talking about the film
festival as a whole, and Kayla, you've been at some
league for two years and fast forward you're one of
your films is gonna be played at the Film Festival.
And Pete, I know you were this is a new
experience for you, but has it hit you yet that
thousands of fans are going to come into Las Vegas
and see your guys film and all hard work that
you put into it.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
It's kind of surreal. It's like kind of like I like,
I feel like it's gonna hit me when I get there.
You know what I'm saying, Like, right now, I'm thinking
about it, and I'm kind of thinking like, oh yeah,
like lots of people come like the opening weekend, and
there's all sorts of activations happening on the concourse and
there's all sorts of like different things happening, and I'm like,
oh yeah, like and then I walk past, like the
film festival, I'm like, oh yeah, like that's going on,
(12:46):
and then I feel like this year, I'm gonna walk
by and go, wait, my film's literally playing there.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
That looks familiar.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
That's really interesting. Yeah, So I think, like, honestly, it'll
be such an exciting thing, especially to like premiere our
basketball themed film in this basketball themed film festival and
just have that really showcase to a lot of people.
And I hope they really enjoy it.
Speaker 3 (13:09):
You know. Kay told me a lot of great stuff
about the festival, what it feels like to be there
and they go experience, and I just can't wait for
the summer. Man, I just can't wait for the for
the But the moment when our film start playing, as
a filmmaker get nervous and you're watching very closely at
the audience to see you know how they receive the film.
(13:32):
And that's the best part about being a filmmaker is
when your work gets shown on a big screen in
front of a crowd and you know, hopefully they like it.
But that's why we have festivals.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
We were saying, you could be starstruck on day one,
but who knows Lebron or Steph might walk in and
see your guys documentaries you got. You gotta be ready
for that. There's no no, can't be starstruck at Summerly
because you turn the corner right and your favorite players there.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
You see Yokich walking, just like see it and they're like,
he's like, oh that looks familiar. Yeah, Oh my.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
Gosh, is Yokich. He's like, uh, you can't even describe
how much, how how loved he is in Serbia, right,
it's it's on It's unworldly.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Yeah, oh my gosh. They love him, Yeah, they love
him and they love Luca. Yeah, definitely, that trade got them.
We left. I think like a couple of days before
that trade happened the MAVs. Yeah, yes, yeah, two days
was January thirty first, Yeah, so we got back Sunday
(14:34):
and I think it happened Monday or Tuesday.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
February, right, wow.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
And then New Jersey. Yeah, we followed like some of
our Serbian friends and subjects on Instagram and we just
see like the posts and we're.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Like, oh no, wait, oh because this was before wow,
So this was what January thirty first?
Speaker 2 (14:56):
Yeah, so we got back Sunday and I think it
happened Monday or Tuesday, right.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
I think Luca got your right beginning of February, So
that's wow.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
We followed like some of our Serbian friends and subjects
on Instagram when we just see like the posts and
we're like, oh no.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
Wait, what overall message do you want people to take
from it? Because, like you guys said, the game's expanding
and you guys are kind of getting it at the
right time and hitting the spot. So what message you
want to take from your documentary?
Speaker 2 (15:23):
Ultimately, I think like just to keep it super short
and sweet. Basketball unites and it really brings people together,
and I think that not only goes just for that,
but it goes for all sports, and I think it
shows how important that is to such a community and
for Serbia, that nation, they love basketball and it brings
them all together. I know there's that rivalry and even though,
(15:44):
like you know, you're either a Red Star fan, you're
a partisan fan, you're a Yokic fan, like whatever the
case may be, you are all coming together and you
are united by your love of basketball. That is like
the national sport. They love it and because of that,
you know, it brings them all together rather than divides
the nation.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
I think for the amount of love that we American
audience have for Serbian players, you know, I think the
Serbians deserve a film that really showcases their culture and
showcases what the country represents and what the local fans
is like. And this is what that film is about.
(16:26):
With what our film is about to really showcase that
subculture that they have over there.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
Well, I'm excited to see it this upcoming summer. It's
gonna be great. Last one here then we'll wrap it up.
But in terms of the NBA Summer League Film Festival,
what do you expect just the audience or people submitting
applications to get in, Like, what can they expect from
it in the overall experience?
Speaker 3 (16:48):
For someone who has been to over thirty film festivals
as a participant as a filmmaker, I will say this
one is going to be unique because you have this
attachment with the league. You know it's it's gonna be
a completely different experience. You get to have the opportunity
to not only network with other filmmakers, but network with
(17:09):
potential buyers from different networks that loves sports content. You
get to network with you know, players and their agents.
And this really well expand what a film festival is
the concept of a film festival because you know you're
in Vegas, You're at the Summer League, and your film
(17:31):
is playing. You know what else could you ask?
Speaker 1 (17:33):
Well, Kayley and Peter, thank you guys so much for
taking the time. It's going to be a fun summer.
You got to buckle up. NBA Summerleague Film festval happening
July seventeenth to nineteenth. My name is Alex, of course,
and thank you so much for tuning to the sports
business class from audio experience.
Welcome to the Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience. I'm Alex
Kacorros and in this series, we're diving into the journeys
of professionals who are making an impact in the sports industry,
from executives to innovators. Each guest will share their story,
the lessons they've learned, and the strategies that help them succeed.
(00:24):
This isn't just about the business of basketball, It's about
life sports and the mindset it takes to thrive in
a competitive world. Each conversation will provide insights and actionable
advice you can use to take your own career to
the next level. Whether you're looking to break into the
industry or sharpen your skills, this series is here to
(00:45):
help you achieve your goals. Let's jump in and learn
from the best. Hello, and thank you for tuning into
the Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience. My name is Alex
Kcoros and it's a special interview today as we're live
at the Whole Pass Media Studios here in Cosa, Mesa, California.
Happy to be joining with filmmakers Kaylee Smith and Peter Pan.
How are you guys doing today?
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Doing well? Thanks for asking how you doing.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
Yeah, yeah, no, I'm excited we've made this happen. I
know you guys have been busy. Let's just get right
down to it. These past couple of months have really
been quite the journey for you guys, traveling all the
way to Serbia to shoot your upcoming documentary Hoops of Heritage,
that will be playing at the NBA Summer League Film Festival.
Just kind of talk about that these past two months
and what this experience has really meant for you guys.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Yeah, So, Serbia is an amazing place. We went to
Belgrade and the people there are some of the most
friendly individuals that we have ever met, and especially they're
passion for basketball. It is on a different level. Man.
They will have these big games called Derby's, and they
(01:49):
bring the energy that you only see in soccer games
to these basketball games. It's they will light up fire stakes,
they will light of like flash bangs, they will everyone's smoking,
and it's all packed with twenty thousand people's. Man Like,
the footage looks absolutely something that we have never seen
(02:12):
on American television.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Definitely something we can't compare to in the United States.
It was crazy. Like Peter said, there's flares going off,
there's people smoking inside, everyone's jumping in unison, there's leaders
of the crowds and all of the fans that are
like conducting like all sorts of chants and all movements
and everything. It was. It was wild to say the least.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
And I know, you guys got to go out a
pretty lucky weekend. It was the Red Star versus partisan rivalry.
Our friend Mina from VSL kind of recommended you guys
go during that weekend. Was it as you expected or
just blew your expectations of how that game was and
just the atmosphere of it.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Yeah, it blew us out of the water completely. I
know Mina has been such a huge help on this project.
She's also been co directing and co producing with us,
and it is She warned us for sure, but we
took that lightly, I think a little too lightly, And
it was just absolutely unreal of an atmosphere and it
was just crazy to be down there on the floor,
we were in the stands and just being immersed in
(03:09):
that culture and everyone's so excited. It was craziness.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
The first night we landed, we went to a basketball
game and that was a ABO League game with the
team rest Star. That was what we will call a
normal game here, right, But Mina's you know, giving us
like these expectations that for the for the derby, it's
(03:35):
going to be so many more people, it's going to
be absolutely packed and a player is going to be
a lot harder. And that was absolutely the ch Oh.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Yeah, it was wild.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
That first game that we went to, it was an
OBDE league game with just Red Star and another team.
I forget where they're from, but we were just location
scouting seeing what the arena looked like. Did not compare
to the game that we filmed on the thirty first
of January. That was so much different and it was crazy.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Must have been quite the experience this is, I mean,
for the people who don't know, this is a school
project for you guys. You guys are seniors at Chapman University,
way ahead of your time or way beyond your years,
I should say. I mean, Kaylae, I know we met
at Summer League. You kind of had a pass for basketball,
But how did this you know, interest spark and and
why why did you want to create the story? Ultimately
(04:21):
totally so.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Actually last Summer League we had roommate assignments and my
roommate was Minya, which I was so fortunate and so
happy that that worked out that way, and she was
telling me all about Serbia. I think at this time
I couldn't even tell you where Serbia was on a map,
I'll be honest. But we were rooming together and we
like for two weeks. We always like talked adn'tight, and
we always told each other about like what we did
(04:45):
like back home and everything. And she told me about
the rivalry between these two teams, and I was so
interested and it was so awesome, and we kind of
both came up with like one night, like after a
long day of Summer League, like we came back and
we were talking and we were like, what if we
made a dog metory on this, Like that would be
kind of crazy, and it just was like, ah, like
maybe it'll happen, like through it in the back of
like our head. And then come senior year for me,
(05:09):
I was like, oh, like I'm trying to think of
like thesis ideas, like what is something that I could
make that could turn into something bigger post college? And
so Peter was so awesome to hop on this project
as well. He was amazing on the technical side and
also story structure of this as well. Couldn't have done
it without either two of them. But we hopped on
(05:29):
and we were like, I think this is a great story.
Maybe we should just shoot for it, Like maybe we
should try it. And sure enough, like we went through
the whole process of green light and everything through Chapman
and we were able to go, which was awesome to
see her again in Serbia and you know, didn't have
to wait a full year to see her again.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Full circle moment. Is that that kind of touches on
how the VSL connection runs deep. And you've done two
years at some league now just talk about you know
what VSL has meant for you and all those connections
that you made.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Yeah, I mean it's oh my god, it's been everything.
It has changed so much and also has taught me
so many things as well, valuable valuable skills. I've been
there for two years and I've been a part of
that video content creative team for those past two years
and just learning how workflow works, things to shoot, how
to shoot basketball to it. Especially at a high professional level.
(06:20):
It's not just like high school sports anymore. You're at
professional sporting events and there's famous people there, and how
do you interact with people? You know, it's really important
to have those like social skills and also like those
communication skills as well. One kind of organizing and working
with a team in that manner when there's so much
to do in such a short amount of time, and
(06:40):
then the quick turnarounds too. It's just it's like one
dysfunctional family, but in the best kind of way. Working
together with everybody and the networking has been incredible. I mean,
me and I are still very close friends, and everybody there,
all the other interns as well, like all have my heart.
They're all awesome and they're all doing great things too.
So just keeping touch with everybody is just so great.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
It's a long two weeks, but by the end of
it you're pretty sad that it's over because you're like,
this is this is family for the past fourteen days. Peter,
I want to ask you, because Kaylee said, Oh, I
asked my good friend Peter, if you want to come
on this trip to Serbia where you little hesitant at first,
or this is an experience for that you would you know,
take with you for the rest of your life.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
You know, to be honest, when you told me about Serbia, I'm.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
Like Siberian little hesitant at first, right, I can imagine.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Yeah, And you know, like I did a little research
and I was amazed by how much cultures they're in Serbia, uh,
with the you know, it was part of the Ottoman Empire.
Now after the break break apart of Yugoslavia, they're a
new nation. But this story that we made a film
(07:51):
about is so so much of their core pride as
a nation today and their passion for where and that's
what really attracted me about this story. And especially when
Minya talks about the sport, the sports scene in Serbia
(08:13):
and her whole phase just lights up with pride, and
it's just it's incredible to see that culture, especially in basketball. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
So you guys, we both have kind of got an
idea glimpse of what the second year of the NBA
Summer League Film Festival will be. Like, why do you
think it stands out compared to other sports festivals and
what can filmmakers take from it when they submit their film.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
I think just the fact that the Summer League Film
Festival is a part of the Summer League where you know,
you have stars that just you know, went through a
draft and you know the early stars where they get
discovered and really get tested with their skill. And that
same concept applies to filmmakers in terms of projects that's
(09:02):
still early in the development or the filmmaker who is
looking to get more attention. And I think Summer League
is just the same for the filmmaker as the players
that place during Summer League. And this year especially is
the first year that the Summer League Film Festival we
opened to submissions from any filmmakers on film Freeway, and
(09:27):
so far, all the works that that's been coming in
are amazing, amazing in terms of diversity, amazing in terms
of quality, amazing in terms of the different types of
sports that the story is about. And I'm really excited
to see how this continues to receive more submissions and
(09:52):
as we program the festival.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Yeah, yeah, it was really exciting. I think I was
there last year for the very first year that like
the Film Festival was a thing in Vegas, and it
was really special. And I think like the first year
kicking it off, it's always like Okay, like here's what
we're gonna do, here's the plan. Now it's like see
how it goes and everything, and I think it went
so well. It was awesome to see like the filmmakers
(10:15):
up on the panel after their film screen And I
think having like it like be an event, Having that
be an event alongside Summer League is just really impactful too,
because it's like there's more things to do. You can
walk around the games that are going on, and you
can also stop buy and see a film. Well, like
people love to watch documentaries nowadays. I think that's just
a big thing that's grown, especially sports docks. So like
(10:38):
bringing those people together is just really it's been great.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
Right.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
It's unique because in terms of the fan experience, like
what other festival in the world really can Like a
foot away from the film festival, you have Papa shot,
you have people being an interview at the studio. It's
a unique experience. So that comes with it too. What
do you think in terms of the selection process, what
would what should a filmmaker for in terms of getting
selected and their film being shown.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
I think, you know, with the Summer League Film Festival,
the overall theme and concept is to tell, you know
a good story about sportsmanship, about the sports culture, and
about the hard works that each athlete has to go
through to achieve their goal and to achieve respect and
(11:28):
to achieve the performance that they want in their in
their craft. And just telling that story, whether in the
documentary format, whether in a narrative format, to the most
authentic form is what this film Festival is looking for.
And you know that connects really well with what's happening
(11:51):
right next to the festival, which is the court of
you know, new stars, new drafts, playing to the hardest
to showcase what they're made off, to showcase their skill.
And let's reflect that in the films that's being played
next right.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
So what about because we were talking about the film
festival as a whole, and Kayla, you've been at some
league for two years and fast forward you're one of
your films is gonna be played at the Film Festival.
And Pete, I know you were this is a new
experience for you, but has it hit you yet that
thousands of fans are going to come into Las Vegas
and see your guys film and all hard work that
you put into it.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
It's kind of surreal. It's like kind of like I like,
I feel like it's gonna hit me when I get there.
You know what I'm saying, Like, right now, I'm thinking
about it, and I'm kind of thinking like, oh yeah,
like lots of people come like the opening weekend, and
there's all sorts of activations happening on the concourse and
there's all sorts of like different things happening, and I'm like,
oh yeah, like and then I walk past, like the
film festival, I'm like, oh yeah, like that's going on,
(12:46):
and then I feel like this year, I'm gonna walk
by and go, wait, my film's literally playing there.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
That looks familiar.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
That's really interesting. Yeah, So I think, like, honestly, it'll
be such an exciting thing, especially to like premiere our
basketball themed film in this basketball themed film festival and
just have that really showcase to a lot of people.
And I hope they really enjoy it.
Speaker 3 (13:09):
You know. Kay told me a lot of great stuff
about the festival, what it feels like to be there
and they go experience, and I just can't wait for
the summer. Man, I just can't wait for the for
the But the moment when our film start playing, as
a filmmaker get nervous and you're watching very closely at
the audience to see you know how they receive the film.
(13:32):
And that's the best part about being a filmmaker is
when your work gets shown on a big screen in
front of a crowd and you know, hopefully they like it.
But that's why we have festivals.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
We were saying, you could be starstruck on day one,
but who knows Lebron or Steph might walk in and
see your guys documentaries you got. You gotta be ready
for that. There's no no, can't be starstruck at Summerly
because you turn the corner right and your favorite players there.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
You see Yokich walking, just like see it and they're like,
he's like, oh that looks familiar. Yeah, Oh my.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
Gosh, is Yokich. He's like, uh, you can't even describe
how much, how how loved he is in Serbia, right,
it's it's on It's unworldly.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Yeah, oh my gosh. They love him, Yeah, they love
him and they love Luca. Yeah, definitely, that trade got them.
We left. I think like a couple of days before
that trade happened the MAVs. Yeah, yes, yeah, two days
was January thirty first, Yeah, so we got back Sunday
(14:34):
and I think it happened Monday or Tuesday.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
February, right, wow.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
And then New Jersey. Yeah, we followed like some of
our Serbian friends and subjects on Instagram and we just
see like the posts and we're.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Like, oh no, wait, oh because this was before wow,
So this was what January thirty first?
Speaker 2 (14:56):
Yeah, so we got back Sunday and I think it
happened Monday or Tuesday, right.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
I think Luca got your right beginning of February, So
that's wow.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
We followed like some of our Serbian friends and subjects
on Instagram when we just see like the posts and
we're like, oh no.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
Wait, what overall message do you want people to take
from it? Because, like you guys said, the game's expanding
and you guys are kind of getting it at the
right time and hitting the spot. So what message you
want to take from your documentary?
Speaker 2 (15:23):
Ultimately, I think like just to keep it super short
and sweet. Basketball unites and it really brings people together,
and I think that not only goes just for that,
but it goes for all sports, and I think it
shows how important that is to such a community and
for Serbia, that nation, they love basketball and it brings
them all together. I know there's that rivalry and even though,
(15:44):
like you know, you're either a Red Star fan, you're
a partisan fan, you're a Yokic fan, like whatever the
case may be, you are all coming together and you
are united by your love of basketball. That is like
the national sport. They love it and because of that,
you know, it brings them all together rather than divides
the nation.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
I think for the amount of love that we American
audience have for Serbian players, you know, I think the
Serbians deserve a film that really showcases their culture and
showcases what the country represents and what the local fans
is like. And this is what that film is about.
(16:26):
With what our film is about to really showcase that
subculture that they have over there.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
Well, I'm excited to see it this upcoming summer. It's
gonna be great. Last one here then we'll wrap it up.
But in terms of the NBA Summer League Film Festival,
what do you expect just the audience or people submitting
applications to get in, Like, what can they expect from
it in the overall experience?
Speaker 3 (16:48):
For someone who has been to over thirty film festivals
as a participant as a filmmaker, I will say this
one is going to be unique because you have this
attachment with the league. You know it's it's gonna be
a completely different experience. You get to have the opportunity
to not only network with other filmmakers, but network with
(17:09):
potential buyers from different networks that loves sports content. You
get to network with you know, players and their agents.
And this really well expand what a film festival is
the concept of a film festival because you know you're
in Vegas, You're at the Summer League, and your film
(17:31):
is playing. You know what else could you ask?
Speaker 1 (17:33):
Well, Kayley and Peter, thank you guys so much for
taking the time. It's going to be a fun summer.
You got to buckle up. NBA Summerleague Film festval happening
July seventeenth to nineteenth. My name is Alex, of course,
and thank you so much for tuning to the sports
business class from audio experience.
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