The Passing Game

The Long Game

In this episode, Brooks and Phil reconnect after a long hiatus to catch up on life, new projects, and the ongoing journey of The Passing Game. Since they last spoke, Phil has been juggling a handful of projects, including a documentary on the craft brewing industry, but the focus here returns to the story of Coach Arritt. They talk about the tricky balance of staying true to a story’s core while pitching to potential partners, and how recent shifts in sports culture only highlight the unique legacy of Coach Arritt—someone who chose impact over fame. Want to help make this film happen? Visit our 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor, The Southern Documentary Fund, and make a 100% tax-deductible donation. Donation URL: https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/the-passing-game/ [https://southerndocumentaryfund.org/the-passing-game/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philwall.substack.com [https://philwall.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

A Silent Symphony

In this episode Phil Wall and Brooks Berry contemplate the virtues of the silence that characterized practice, and much of life, while playing for Fletcher Arritt at Fork Union. From the meditative warmup routine to the contemplative bus rides, Coach Arritt's unconventional coaching methods encouraged introspection and transformation. They also discuss the importance of context, intimacy, and authenticity in storytelling and the challenge of bringing some of Coach Arritt’s counterculture philosophies to the big screen. Make a 100% tax-deductible donation to support the film's completion by visiting www.thepassinggame.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philwall.substack.com [https://philwall.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Beginning again...and again

Welcome to "The Passing Game Podcast," where filmmaker Phil Wall peels back the curtain on his documentary's creative process. In this episode, Wall, joined by co-host Brooks Berry, unravels the intricate dance of crafting the film's opening. The duo navigates through the challenges of maintaining a distinct point of view, choosing narrative devices, and clarifying the film's overarching intent. As Wall delves into the complexities of avoiding the tribute trap, drawing parallels to sports coaching, he emphasizes the necessity of preserving one's creative vision amid external pressures. The duo's exploration extends to the crucial decision of whether Wall should narrate the film himself, pondering its potential impact on the audience. This episode offers a peek into the filmmaker's struggle with the fine balance between personal taste and commercial interests, providing a compelling narrative of the art and challenges of documentary filmmaking. Want to help make this film happen? Make a 100% tax-deductible donation at www.thepassinggame.com [http://www.thepassinggame.com]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philwall.substack.com [https://philwall.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Whatever happened to that Fletcher Arritt documentary?

Phil Wall has been crafting the same elusive documentary for a whopping 16 years—filmed hundreds of hours of footage, traveled thousands of miles, written countless emails, and carted bins of materials across state lines on multiple occasions. It’s been a crazy ride, made possible by the support of friends and strangers alike. Now knee-deep in the edit, he finally gets to revisit the question that started it all: “Why?” Cue his friend Brooks Berry and the return of "The Passing Game” podcast. The show will be a discussion diving headfirst into the process of making a documentary film on Fletcher Arritt, the legendary postgraduate basketball coach at Fork Union Military Academy with an unorthodox approach and unrivaled impact. In the first installment, they consider the 16-year quest, the challenges of pitching a film about a not-so-famous guy, why the film is about principles and not just a run-of-the-mill “tribute,” and the secret sauce of impactful documentaries. Also discussed is the role that momentum plays in making films, and the fact that Wall made three other feature docs while keeping this project alive. There was a previous iteration of this podcast hosted by Coach Arritt, and this episode marks the beginning of a new intimate discussion that goes beyond basketball and making the documentary—think leadership, impact, and the love of the game. Want to support the final stage of this cinematic odyssey? Make a 100% tax-deductible donation at www.thepassinggame.com [http://www.thepassinggame.com]. -- Phil Wall is an award-winning filmmaker known for “The Book Keepers” and “The Standard.” He played for Fletcher Arritt’s Fork Union team prior to attending Williams College. He lives with his family in Brooklyn, NY where he works on commercial and independent narrative content. -- Brooks Berry played four years of basketball at West Virginia University after attending Fork Union Military Academy as a member of Fletcher Arritt’s postgraduate team. He has extensive experience in the sports world as a coach, administrator, and television and radio commentator. He lives with his family in Charleston, SC where he works as an insurance advisor. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit philwall.substack.com [https://philwall.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]