In my previous blog post, I looked back on my self-employed placement year, stating that it had been a 'brilliant opportunity' and that I was looking forward to my final year at university. However, just when I thought my placement was over and I'd achieved everything I hoped I would, I never would have guessed that an even bigger opportunity was just around the corner.
As you may have seen, I've been working with Hoopsfix for the past two years. In 2016, I reached out to Sam Neter (founder of Hoopsfix) asking about any video production work opportunities that were available. Fortunately, a few months later, I was given the task of editing the BBL Top 10 Plays videos every week, a role that I later continued into my placement year. As well as this, I took on extra work such editing video content for the EABL and WEABL, filming at the BBL Cup Finals in Birmingham and assisting with the video coverage of the Hoopsfix All-Star Classic 2018. I'm very grateful to have had a mentor like Sam, who has not only provided me with work but has also taught me a lot about producing social media content.
Recently, a job was offered to Hoopsfix by none other than 2K Sports. They were going to be showcasing the launch of NBA 2K19 at a special event in New York and therefore, were looking for to take several representatives from UK basketball and gaming media companies on an all-paid trip to New York for three days. With the gaming franchise celebrating its' 20th anniversary, this was arguably one of the most anticipated titles of the year. Not only that, but some of the NBA's biggest stars would be in attendance at the event. As a huge basketball fan, this was understandably the trip of a lifetime and I was honoured to be asked by Sam if I'd like to accept the offer on his behalf as he was unavailable to go himself at the time (as you may have guessed, I accepted).
Having never travelled to America before, let alone New York City, I was extremely excited to get to see the Empire State Building and Times Square in person. However, my role was to produce some form of highlights video from the NBA 2K19 event to be shared on Hoopsfix's various social media platforms. Over the course of the trip I spent time with a friendly team of producers and content creators from companies including talkSPORT, Fandom and IGN to name a few. It was interesting getting to speak to them about working as a freelancer and discussing what sort of content they were hoping to get during our visit.
On the day of the event, I found it to be quite a surreal experience. The room was filled with gamers, social media influencers and media teams all trying to get a look at early previews of the game. I also happened to accidently get in the way of NBA All-Stars Ben Simmons and, one of my idols growing up, Kevin Garnett as they were passing through to their next interviews. While I was unable to speak to them myself, I got some great footage from what was an exhilerating but long night.
After travelling back the next day, I managed to produce the video in two days and I received very positive feedback from Sam and those who I'd travelled with. Check out the highlights video below.
Even now, it's hard to fully comprehend how lucky I was to be able to film at an event like this and get to experience one of the most amazing cities in the world. I want to thank Sam and the 2K UK PR team for giving me this opportunity and I can only hope that I am in the right place at the right time if any chances like this ever come up again in the future.