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STARZ Premieres Extraordinary Documentary About the NBA’s Transformative 2020 Season ‘Game Change Game’
LOS ANGELES, June 7, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Created by THINK450, Game Change Game, a poignant documentary about the extraordinary 2020 NBA season, which carried on in the face of COVID and a social justice reckoning, is out today for digital release on STARZ, the streaming network dedicated to narratives by, about and for underrepresented audiences.
The monumental film, which premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival for its theatrical release, is directed by Spike Jordan and Maxime Quoilin with the bi-coastal creative production studio Good Company and created by veteran media leader Christina Norman for THINK450, the partnership and innovation engine of The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).
"The creation of this film came from our core mission as an organization to amplify the players and their collective voices," said Que Gaskins, President of THINK450. "As we saw our players come together to stand up for change, we knew we had the unique opportunity to document this powerful moment in time from the players' perspective. Game Change Game is a remarkable film, and we are excited to share it with more viewers this month through our partnership with STARZ."
The film affords viewers privileged access to "The NBA Bubble," the infamous bio-secure hub where the elite athletes carried out the 2020 basketball season during the pandemic shutdown. As it highlights their struggle with unforeseen sacrifice, loss, and their own morality amidst disturbing current events of the time, the documentary displays the players' bonds of fierce brotherhood while they use their platform to demand change.
"Game Change Game really captures all of the emotions that we were experiencing as players and as Black men during that very intense and pivotal time in our society," said CJ McCollum, NBPA President and one of the players featured in the film. "With so many different player perspectives in the film, it is truly a unique expression of our collective experience, and I am honored to be a part of it."
Threading together interviews with more than 40 notable stakeholders, directors Quoilin and Jordan highlight the series of events that led to the creation of the "bubble." They blatantly expose viewers to the waves of police brutality that took place during the same era and how many NBA players decided to take a stand and speak out against injustice - despite the pervasive cultural narrative that sports and athletes are, and should remain, apolitical. The interviewees include athletes like NBPA President CJ McCollum, Chris Paul, Jaylen Brown, as well as leading activists and artists.
Without the use of a narrator, the co-directors expertly craft a fluid storyline, by weaving, amongst the interviews, vital contextual footage from both the archives and the players themselves, including special family moments.
"The meaning of the film shifted as we lived through one cataclysmic event after another. Shot in real-time, it became a deep race conversation, on top of the already deep COVID conversation," said co-director Quoilin. "Ultimately, we hope that the documentary continues to spur an ongoing dialogue about racism and policing in the US and how we can each do our part to make equity a reality for everyone."
Good Company's impeccable reputation for culturally-relevant work and Quoilin and Jordan's bold visual storytelling style made them the perfect fit for a non-traditional sports documentary. Philadelphia native Jordan is known for his music videos like Nas' "Ultra Black" and Future & Juice WRLD's "WRLD on Drugs," while Belgium-born Quoilin is known for his work on Beyonce's Formation World Tour and the fiery Kanye West video, "Come to Life."
When tapped by THINK450, it was an easy yes for the filmmakers, who are both passionate basketball fans and frequent collaborators with uncanny creative sympatico. Together, the pair have previously collaborated on a variety of music videos, including Gunna's "Dollaz On My Head" and Meek Mill's "Believe."
"Max and I have this chemistry; we're on the same wavelength. During the shooting, I would turn to say something, and it was like Max already knew what I was going to say. We had the same intuition about what was needed on-screen," said Jordan.
One of the first shoots to go remote during the pandemic, Game Change Game was filmed in two phases. At first, the co-directors utilized a robust remote filming technology inspired by Errol Morris's Interrotron, which allowed up-close, face-to-face interviews with the players living in the bubble. Once the season ended and COVID restrictions eased to some extent, the directors filmed additional in-person interviews and incorporated a wealth of contextual footage.
Good Company had a hand in every aspect of the film's production. Despite unimaginable flux and emotion, they tirelessly documented the uncommon NBA season as well as spent an additional year honing the story's look and feel in post-production.
"After living through that intense, paradigm-shifting time, and now, coming out the other side of it with this release feels almost cathartic. We could've never expected the journey the world would go through, but it was all hands on deck for this project from the get-go," commented Producer Jonathan Lia, Good Company's Co-Founder. "I hope this beautiful portrait of the NBA's journey will remind viewers of the power of our collective voices and the strength and healing that can be found when we lean on each other."
The documentary can be found on STARZ across all platforms, including in their Juneteenth programming and throughout the month on STARZ linear channels.
Watch the trailer for Game Change Game on STARZ.
About the NPBA:
The National Basketball Players Association is the union for current professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Established in 1954, the NBPA's mission is to protect and support the rights and talents of our players, magnify the power of their collective will, and amplify their voices as leaders who will transcend sport and society globally.
The NBPA advocates on behalf of the best interests of all NBA players, including through the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, the filing of grievances on behalf of the players, and counseling players on benefits, educational and post-NBA career opportunities. Business opportunities are generated by THINK450, the subsidiary of the NBPA charged with managing the players' group licensing rights.
Dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members, the NBPA Foundation provides support and assistance to persons, communities, and organizations around the world that seek to improve the lives of those in need.
About Good Company:
Good Company is a bi-coastal creative production studio that develops and produces content and experiences at the intersection of art, music and cinema. They are behind some of the most iconic music videos and films of our time, including Beyonce's Lemonade. They also produce award-winning ad campaigns for brands like Meta and Nike and create breathtaking live performance visuals for artists such as Adele, Pharrell and Miley Cyrus.
Contact Information:Olia Ougrik
Raconteur LA Partner / Director of Public Relations
[email protected]
Crystal B. Williams
STARZ Executive Director, Corporate and Brand Communications
[email protected]
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Original Source: STARZ Premieres Extraordinary Documentary About the NBA's Transformative 2020 Season 'Game Change Game'
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Women’s Golf Day Reaches New Heights and Countries
Women's Golf Day Acuschnet @NYSE Opening Bell(R)
The New York Stock Exchange welcomes Women's Golf Day & Acushnet May 31, 2023, to the podium. To honor the occasion, Elisa Gaudet, Founder, Women's Golf Day joined by Tara Dziedzic, NYSE Head of Listings U.S. Sectors, rings The Opening Bell\u00ae. @NYSE
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., June 7, 2023 (Newswire.com) - The first weeklong Women's Golf Day (WGD) Celebration drew to a close as the last event finished at Moorea Green Pearl Golf Club in French Polynesia on Tuesday evening, the 6th of June. More women and girls were able to access these celebratory events in 2023 than ever before given the new weeklong format and the increase in the number of participating countries and venues. Over 1,300 locations in 84 countries have hosted WGD. Starting with WGD Palooza Digital Day and the NYSE Opening Bell, the celebration continued throughout the week. New and existing female golfers around the globe dressed in red and white to share their experiences on social media with a collective joy that perhaps can only be measured in smiles.
"Every year, we work to increase the number of facilities that host Women's Golf Day and it was very exciting to welcome the 139 courses from Japan and watch on social media in real time the impact WGD has on golf around the globe. I experienced first-hand how important it is to have new and existing female golfers participate in WGD events to build confidence, new friendships and skills that do last a lifetime. Our goal is to create more opportunities and unity and we are achieving that on a global level," commented Elisa Gaudet, Founder of Women's Golf Day.
She continued, "Growing demand for additional days from host locations prompted us to expand to a weeklong format, resulting in impactful and significant activation on each day this week. Starting on May 30th with the WGD Palooza digital day and May 31st ringing the opening bell at the NYSE with Acushnet (Titleist and FootJoy). It is important to have retail engagement and in-store activation from both PGA TOUR Superstore and Golf Town as well as championship courses around the world hosting events. Having lived in NYC for 10 years, it is thrilling to see WGD and Acushnet billboards running for a few weeks in Times Square and Silicon Valley. This support includes our partners, RBC, who are hosting the RBC Canadian Open this week."
Key highlights of Women's Golf Day 2023 included:
- WGD Palooza - a specially curated USGA Museum Tour, Instruction from Callaway and Titleist players, an interview with founding members of Project Ukraine and giveaways from WGD partners, including The USGA, PGA, R&A, Callaway, Titleist, FootJoy, PGA TOUR Superstore (PGATSS), Imperial, Marco Simone, and Make Golf Your Thing
- NYSE Opening - WGD Founder, Elisa Gaudet, was joined by a delegation including representatives from Acushnet and LPGA player Danielle Kang as Gaudet rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange
- New Countries - Gambia, Greece, Peru, and Zambia joined the WGD community for the first time in 2023 taking the total number of participating countries to 84
- Japan Growth - after running three events in 2022, WGD and The Japanese Golf Federation worked in collaboration to grow the number of host locations in Japan from three to 139 in under 12 months
- Championship Venues - More than 1,300 locations have hosted the event since 2016, including high-profile venues like Marco Simone, host of the 2023 Ryder Cup, Pinehurst, host of the 2024 US Open, TPC Sawgrass - The PLAYERS Championship, Firestone Country Club - the World Series of Golf, TPC Scottsdale - WM Phoenix Open, Evian Resort - The Amundi Evian Championship in France, Taiheiyo Club Minori Course in Japan, and Aphrodite Hills Golf & Country Club in Cyprus
- PGA TOUR Superstore (PGATSS) - Official Retailer of Women's Golf Day held in-store activation events. PGATSS held events at all stores across the USA, excluding California, Saturday, June 3rd. There were driving contests in the simulators and basic instruction for new golfers as well as putting contests and the chance to win a Women's Golf Day branded Callaway Golf Bag.
- Golf Town - Canadian retailer hosted WGD on Tuesday, June 6th at all 47 locations across Canada.
Locations are invited to register now for 2024, allowing them to make full use of the promotional opportunities the Women's Golf Day platform offers them throughout the year. Registered locations are encouraged to update their location page regularly throughout the year to promote other offerings at the club, including travel/ trips, instruction, and ongoing events. They will also receive additional support through the WGD social media channels and direct marketing opportunities. For location registration, visit www.womensgolfday.com/register.
Media Information, Images and Video Files here: https://womensgolfday.com/press/
WGD Social Media - @WomensGolfDay
Women's Golf Day Official Partners
Callaway Golf, FootJoy, Titleist, PGA of America, PGA TOUR Superstore, RBC, The R&A, and USGA.
Women's Golf Day is also proudly supported by: All Square, Annika Foundation, Asian Golf, Chronogolf, EGCOA, European Tour, European Tour Properties, The First Tee, Gallus Golf, The Golf Channel, GolfNow, GloveIt, Golf Town, Imperial Headwear, International Golf Federation, LET, Make Golf Your Thing, Modest Golf Management, National Golf Foundation, NGCOA, NGCOA Canada, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, Prestige Flag, Sky Sports, TopGolf, TopTracer, TPC Properties, Troon Golf, Troon International, WE ARE GOLF, Women & Golf, The World Golf Foundation and more.
Contact Information:Nicole Wheatley
Medi8
[email protected]
+44 (0) 7507 556794
Mary Kay Willson
Marketing, WGD
[email protected]
15612526023
Elisa Gaudet
Founder
[email protected]
+1 (305) 610-9558
Original Source: Women's Golf Day Reaches New Heights and Countries
U.S. Polo Assn. Delivers Record $2.3 Billion in Revenue, Shattering $2 Billion Milestone
