3 Sports Drama Film Openings

To get a better 'feel' for a sports drama movie opening, I have chosen to take inspiration from the experts. What follows is the analysis and discussion of three different film openings.

Warrior (2011): https://youtu.be/c5B3IBjSViM

     The opening aims to introduce two points: character and setting. The environment is displayed with softer colors, a subtle mise-en-scene element
that shows calmness and a less hectic environment. This is only further emphasized with the movie's score, containing gentle vocals accompanied by an acoustic guitar. The pacing of the shots are slow, with few cuts and little movement. The shot's don't necessarily overstay their welcome, but they certainly linger, allowing the subtleties of each character to be displayed.

The Wrestler (2008): https://youtu.be/W8vOpyGW1sA

    The film opens with a long panning of various posters and newspaper excerpts, introducing the Randy "The Ram" Robinson as a well decorated wrestler, with several title matches under his belt. The opening is accompanied by the sounds of crowds and announcers, alongside a classic rock score. The different soundbites of each commentator alternate in panning, showing that Robinson frequents the spotlight (or the ring). Without showing the character themselves, Robinson's reputation is already established.

Pumping Iron (1977): https://youtu.be/lbgh-B2jV5o

    While The Wrestler reveals Robinson's legacy through posters and flyers, Pumping Iron shows history being written. The film opens with a bodybuilding competition, starring competitors at the highest level: Lou Ferrigno,  Mike Mentzer, etc. A combination of long and medium shots are used to show the bodybuilders carrying out their posing routine, with lighting designed to emphasize their muscularity. Instead of classic rock, the film's score contains feel-good pop of the 70s; the people on stage are adored by the crowd as they whistle and cheer for them. Pumping Iron, was made with the intention of dispelling the stigmas of bodybuilding at the time, propelling the sport into pop culture.