Gridiron Heights
season 3
Episode 3
Medium: 2D Animation
project overview
ProjProject Overview: Gridiron Heights Episode
Project Details
Commission: To direct an episode of Gridiron Heights for Bleacher Report.
Season: Season 3, Episode 3
Date: 2019
Roles and Responsibilities
Director: Led the creative vision and direction of the episode.
Producer: Managed the production process, ensuring the project stayed on track and met quality standards.
Writer: Developed the script and storyline for the episode.
Voice Actor: Voiced two characters in the episode.
director Notes
As the director of this Gridiron Heights episode, I wanted to create a piece that truly captures the blend of satire and sports news, while also being deeply personal. Having recently retired from the NFL and transitioning into animation, this project allowed me to merge both worlds seamlessly.
The concept revolved around a retirement home full of football players, providing a humorous and satirical take on current NFL events. The challenge was to pack major headlines from around the NFL into a single, one-minute episode. Every element in the scene, from easter eggs to posters on the wall and players in the background, became an opportunity to tell a story. Gridiron Heights is known for its brilliant storytelling, and I wanted to ensure this episode lived up to its reputation.
The process was extremely enjoyable, however, it required sharp focus, laborious attention to detail, and a deep commitment to the craft. Flying to New York to work closely with the Bleacher Report writing team was an incredible experience. We wrote the episode in an afternoon, ensuring it was both personal and relevant to current NFL events. The same day, we recorded the voice-over, and I voiced two characters in the episode. The collaboration was seamless and full of laughter. We laughed a lot.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was seeing how the limitations of the format pushed our imaginations to new heights. The one-minute constraint forced us to be creative and concise, packing a lot of information and humor into a short time frame. There were a lot of ideas that we couldn't use because of production and time constraints. I believe great storytelling and design only emerge because of the constraints. Working on this project was a brilliant exercise in storytelling and satire.
The episode was a hit, garnering over one million views on YouTube and is now available on MAX. It successfully blended satire and sports news, creating an engaging and entertaining show.
Seeing the final product come together was incredibly satisfying, and the team's dedication and creativity truly shone through.
over one million views on YouTube and is now available on MAX.
Final Cut
I feel that there isn't enough sports satire; everything has become so analytical, but sports are full of characters. Athletes are very interesting characters, as are the coaches, owners, and fans. There's a lot of humor in the sports world, but it is rarely pursued.
The people who talk about sports wear suits, which is fascinating. No one going to the sports event is in a suit, but the guys talking about it are. That in itself is an opportunity for comedy. I hope the art of sports media grows to include more animation, sports, and comedy.
The experience of creating this episode was incredibly fun and rewarding. I would love to do more work that blends satire and sports news together, exploring new creative possibilities and engaging with audiences in playful ways. The potential for storytelling in this format is limitless, and I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.
Adventure Awaits...
with love + imagination
-MR. TOMONOSHi!