The Teams
an Undergraduate videography team and Graduate transmedia marketing team were behind the documentary project.
documentary team
Eleven undergraduate students contributed to this documentary and related transmedia campaign. Two started in Summer 2019; all contributed throughout Fall 2019; a few have continued their involvement into early 2020. Each has a declared major in either journalism or telecommunications, and while about half had prior documentary-production experience, some have just finished their first experience with this form of storytelling. Students ultimately directed the final look and feel of the documentary. They were given the freedom to make key decisions about its overall tone, story arcs, interview settings, visuals and music as well as creation of graphics and/or animations.
Moreover, this project represented a transformative experience for students in key ways. First, They had access to the best athletes and coaches in the country as well as the opportunity to tell an important story of growth in one of the country’s fastest-growing sports. This presented a reporting opportunity that few college students get, and it allowed them to explore unique issues of diversity in their reporting and storytelling efforts. Additionally, students gained important experience with project management, interdisciplinary collaboration and teamwork. For media students, there is no better way to harness and enhance these types of soft skills than through the development of a dynamic documentary intended for a national audience.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to meet & interview Coach Speraw as well as players for Team USA. I like sports, and I like documentary production, so this experience to work with a national nonprofit such as First Point Volleyball Foundation has provided me with a unique chance to blend both of these interests and lead this project. “
“Projects like this provide faculty and students with an amazing opportunity to collaborate in meaningful ways. This project has a special place in my heart because my husband is a Division I men’s volleyball coach. The opportunity to help tell this story is very special.“
“Coming into this project, I didn’t have much history with the sport of volleyball, and throughout the process of creating this story, I have truly fallen in love with the sport.“
“The thing I enjoyed the most was working with multiple people from different backgrounds to make something that is fantastic. “
“I gained a lot of social media and transcribing experience from working on this documentary, and I think that makes me a more well-rounded journalist.“
“My favorite thing about this project was being able to hear about how everyone’s love for volleyball started and how that led them to where they are today.“
“Realizing the value of this sport and our ability to make it grow has been a real great learning moment for me. What we are pushing for in this project is real and achievable. “
“What I liked most about this project was being able to spread awareness to the sport of volleyball and go to Chicago to help film the interviews for this project. “
“In the end, my whole career will revolve around storytelling. This project allowed me to tell a story on the biggest stage of my career thus far, and the fact that we were able to do this successfully gave me a lot of confidence. “
“The most important thing I learned was learning how to use equipment on the fly. Being able to take a device or a piece of equipment that I wasn’t comfortable with and mastering it in a few minutes was a key point to me.“
“What I enjoyed most about the project was traveling to Chicago for the interviews with Ed Wrather and Jamion Hartley. It really put into context the gravity volleyball holds in some communities.“
“I plan on going into an industry that involves a lot of teamwork and communication, and those two things are largely stressed in this class. “
“Directing and producing this documentary on the sport I love was a surreal experience that I’m so proud to say I was a part of.”
“I really enjoyed working with creative and hard-working friends/classmates.“
Transmedia team
Match Point is not just a documentary. It is an organized, transmedia effort to bring awareness to the sport of men’s volleyball in the United States of America. The “Match Point” campaign features a website, social media presence, blog, podcast and a volleyball gaming app.
These channels of communication will be used to give people access to the sport of boys’ and men’s volleyball like never before. Original content will be sent out through these channels to give sports fans access to interviews with the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team, unique volleyball stories, and insight into the dynamic and powerful nature of the game.
This transmedia campaign is being organized and implemented by graduate students from The Center for Emerging Media Design & Development at Ball State University.
“It has been rewarding to be part of a project that tells the story of the power a sport can play in one’s life and to show the difference it can make.”
“My favorite part of the Match Point project has been all of the different channels and opportunities to tell stories and to connect with people within different media. This project has definitely pushed me to expand my skill sets, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such a great team!”
“I have enjoyed having to figure out how to reach a very specific target audience.“
“The thing I love about this project is that there are so many unique stories to tell, and we’ve been able to incorporate so many different platforms into the campaign to tell those stories.“
“Being part of this team allowed me to put some of the many things I’ve been learning into practice. I’ve gained insight into recognizing the great stories all around us.“