CX agency Definition 6 (D6) and Paramount Plus released a trailer for its feature documentary film, titled ‘The Only’, which chronicles the inspirational story and hard-won victories of US Women’s National Team (USWNT) and Hall of Fame soccer goalkeeper Brianna Scurry.
Customer experience agency D6 promoted the sports film, created in partnership with VP of Editorial, and 12-time Emmy Award winner Anthony J Cortese, streaming on Paramount+.
The docu-film includes interviews with US soccer legends such as Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain and Abby Wambach, as well as with Scurry herself to tell the story of the player who was the first openly gay player and the only Black starter for the US side in USWNT history.
The promotional campaign spanned streaming, TV, online video, social content and a Paramount+ PR push.
Produced by My Moon Productions and executive producer Pete Radovich, ‘The Only’ was developed and shot in coordination with CBS Sports and Pacific Northwest-based production team Wildly.
The director admits to being “mindful of crafting an honest and challenging portrayal of the athlete) and “eschewing the types of documentaries where subjects dictate their own film’s message”.
“I normally prefer editing in a more narrative format, but fortunately, Scurry’s life story comes with this great built-in three-act arc,” said Anthony about his debut as a feature documentary maker. “You witness her initial rise to fame, the sharp fall after her concussion, and then her triumphant return. So, the story came together very naturally in the cutting room. Hitting send to Briana on the final cut was one of the scariest moments of my career. But she loved it.”
Anthony and crew found themselves able to speak with many of Briana’s former teammates, as well as younger women of colour who have been inspired by her iconic soccer career. Because he also served as the film’s editor, the bulk of the interviews and verité moments were conducted around the country by producer Nils Clauson and director of photography Curran Ferrey, with Anthony listening in via Zoom.
“Producer Nils Clauson and DoP Curran Ferrey have a lot of great relationships in the soccer world, particularly with players from the Women’s ‘99 team,” added Anthony. “So that helped to land key interviews with many of the superstar players featured.”
Shot and edited through a tight three-month production schedule in early 2022, the George Flloyd killing and protests informed part of the process.
The trailer and film was helmed by Director Anthony J Cortese, with Executive Producer Peter Radovich, Producer Nils Clauson, Cinematographer Curran Ferrey, Editors Anthony J Cortese, Jeff Fisher and Gabriella Loutfi and sound design and mix by Dan O’Sullivan.
Leave a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.