One Big Team

Project Overview

"One Big Team" is a cinematic piece created for the University of the Cumberlands to showcase the unity of their athletic program. We brought together athletes from nearly every varsity team and staged the shoot at center court in the basketball arena. Each athlete stepped into the spotlight to represent their sport, forming a visual portrait of shared purpose and pride.

Production Design

The court was treated like a stage. With the background dropped into shadow, attention focused on the athletes. Each athlete performed signature moves that defined their sport, from quick footwork to powerful swings and stances. We worked with them directly on choreography to shape their movements into a sequence that felt organic and visually cohesive.

Lighting and Camera

We lit the court using Lekos placed high and behind the athletes to create dramatic backlight and strong separation. The lighting design gave the space depth while keeping the visual tone clean and bold.

Camera movement came from a jib, allowing us to float over the court and keep the energy fluid. Instead of relying on rapid edits, we let the motion of the camera and the rhythm of the athletes carry the piece forward.

Visual Storytelling

There’s no dialogue or voiceover. The story is told through motion, music, and timing. We cut between each athlete’s performance to build a continuous chain of movement, connecting each sport to the next. A custom-composed music track was scored specifically to match the tone of the piece and shape the pacing.

Outcome

The film captures what makes each athlete unique while tying them together through light, rhythm, and movement. It honors the spirit of competition while making it clear that at the University of the Cumberlands, every player is part of the same team.