Kristian Ferrell
Kobe Bryant's Oscar-winning short film, Dear Basketball, is an animated film written and narrated by Bryant himself. The film is based on a letter Bryant wrote for The Players' Tribune in 2015, announcing his retirement from basketball. The film was released in 2017 and has a runtime of 5 minutes. It carries the same name as Bryant's retirement letter and was made in partnership between Bryant's own Granity Studios and Believe Entertainment Group.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Dear Basketball |
| Year | 2017 |
| Genre | Animation, Short, Biography |
| Rating | 7.4 |
| Director | Glen Keane |
| Music Director | John Williams |
| Narrator | Kobe Bryant |
| Based on | Kobe Bryant's poem 'Dear Basketball' |
| Running time | Not found |
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The movie's duration
The movie "Dear Basketball" is an animated short film with a duration of around 5 minutes. The film was written and narrated by Kobe Bryant, directed and animated by Glen Keane, and features music by John Williams.
"Dear Basketball" is based on a poem of the same name written by Kobe Bryant in 2015 as a farewell letter to the sport. The poem was announced on the eve of his retirement from the National Basketball Association (NBA) and describes his love for the game since childhood. The animated short film brings this poem to life, jumping back and forth between a young and adult Kobe following his professional basketball dreams.
Given the short duration of the film, it is designed to be a concise and impactful tribute to Kobe Bryant's career and his love for the sport. The combination of animation, narration, and music works together to create a poignant and emotional experience for viewers.
The film's duration allows it to be easily accessible and shareable, contributing to its popularity and impact. It is a testament to the ability to convey a powerful message and evoke emotions within a short time frame.
"Dear Basketball" serves as a lasting legacy to Kobe Bryant's remarkable basketball journey and his passion for the sport that inspired and touched the lives of many.
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The poem
Kobe Bryant's poem, "Dear Basketball", is an emotional farewell letter to the sport he loves. The poem, written in 2015, coincided with his retirement from the National Basketball Association (NBA) and was later adapted into an animated short film of the same name. The film, released in 2017, is a touching tribute to Bryant's illustrious basketball career and showcases his passion, dedication, and love for the game.
In the poem, Bryant reminisces about his childhood dreams and his unwavering dedication to the sport. He describes how, as a six-year-old boy, he was driven by his passion for basketball:
> "I never saw the end of the tunnel / I only saw myself running out of one".
He goes on to express how this passion translated into his relentless pursuit of excellence on the court:
> "And so I ran. I ran up and down every court / After every loose ball for you / You asked for my hustle / I gave you my heart / Because it came with so much more."
As the poem progresses, Bryant acknowledges the physical limitations that come with age and injury, signalling that it is time to say goodbye to his career:
> "My heart can take the pounding / My mind can handle the grind / But my body knows it's time to say goodbye."
He accepts the end of his basketball journey with a heavy heart, expressing his gratitude for the sport and acknowledging that it will always be a part of him:
> "We have given each other / All that we have [...] / No matter what I do next / I'll always be that kid / With the rolled-up socks / Garbage can in the corner / Five seconds on the clock / Ball in my hands."
"Dear Basketball", both the poem and the film, is a poignant and inspiring testament to Kobe Bryant's remarkable basketball career. It showcases his talent not just as a player but also as a writer, with the ability to convey deep emotion and reflect on his journey in a heartfelt manner. The film's animation, score, and narration further enhance the impact of the poem, bringing it to life in a visually stunning and affecting way.
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The animation
Keane experimented with new techniques, such as animating sweat. To do this, he laid a separate sheet over the drawing where a soft layer of graphite was added. By taking pictures with his iPhone and turning them into negatives, the white turned black and vice versa, creating the appearance of sweat running down the character's face.
The film follows a young and adult Kobe Bryant, jumping back and forth between his childhood and his professional basketball career. The animation adds an imaginative look to the short film, with one source noting that it added to the emotional impact of the film.
The combination of the animation, John Williams' score, and Kobe Bryant's narration make the film a potent love letter to the titular sport.
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The score
John Williams is a well-known and Oscar-winning composer, and his involvement in the film is noted as a highlight. The score is described as "soaring", and it captures the melancholy, inspiration, and perseverance that are central to the film's themes.
The combination of the score and the animation creates a powerful and lovely tribute to Kobe Bryant and his love for the sport of basketball. The music adds depth to the animation, elevating the film and making it more than just a conventional short film or sports tribute.
Overall, the score of "Dear Basketball" is an important and impactful element of the film, contributing to its emotional impact and overall success as a tribute to Kobe Bryant and his remarkable career.
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Kobe Bryant's retirement
Kobe Bryant, one of the most intense and disciplined pro athletes of all time, retired from the NBA in 2016. He announced his retirement in 2015 through a poem titled "Dear Basketball", which he also narrated in an animated short film of the same name. The film, directed by Disney legend Glen Keane, won an Academy Award in 2017.
Following his retirement, Bryant built a thriving second career based on his variety of interests. He started a series on ESPN+ called "Details", which broke down key players and games in-depth from his experience and perspective. He also created a production company, Granity Studios, and developed "Dear Basketball".
Bryant was extremely driven and ambitious, and his ability to intensely focus on what he wanted stood out. He was multilingual, speaking Italian, Spanish, and English fluently, and had a range of interests beyond basketball. This foundation set him up for success in his second act career.
Tragically, Bryant's life was cut short in 2020, and his sudden death shocked and saddened many. He left behind a compelling legacy and reminded us that even the most talented and successful athletes are human and mortal. His retirement and post-retirement pursuits offer valuable lessons and inspiration for those planning their own life after their initial career.
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Frequently asked questions
The Oscar-winning short film 'Dear Basketball' has a runtime of around 5 minutes.
The animated short film is based on Kobe Bryant's poem of the same name. It is a love letter to basketball and serves as a tribute to the sport that was such a large part of Kobe Bryant's life.
'Dear Basketball' was previously available to watch online on YouTube, but it has since been taken down. You can, however, watch Showtime's 2015 documentary 'Kobe Bryant's Muse' on Hulu, Sling TV, Amazon, YouTube, and Google Play.
