May 9, 2016

Glen Keane and John Williams team up with Kobe Bryant to produce "Dear Basketball"

A man known for his animation, a man known for his music, and a man in sports. Glen Keane teams up with recently retired Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant to direct Dear Basketball, an "ode to sports" based on a poem Bryant wrote to announce his retirement last fall.

If Keane's star power isn't enough, the music for this short film is the music for everyone's favorite blockbusters, including "Jaws," "E.T.," "Jurassic Park," the "Indiana Jones" series, the first three "Harry Potter" films, and "Star Wars." The music will be composed by five-time Academy Award-winning composer John Williams.

"'Dear Basketball' is the perfect tribute to something I've loved for so long," said Williams. Glenn and John are two legends in their respective industries, so to partner with them on the creative process is a dream come true." [The project is produced by Bryant's Corby Studios, Believe Entertainment Group, and Sports Illustrated, and the film will be released this fall on the latter's SI.com, with a series of mini-documentaries exploring the production process, including how Keane created the animation. A series of mini-documentaries exploring the production process, including how Keane created the animations, will also be released.

"We are proud to collaborate with Kobe to comprehensively tell the story of his first challenge since retiring from the NBA in a way that only SI can," said Time Inc. Entertainment and Sports Group and Video President said Rich Batista, president of Time Inc. We look forward to the Corby fans and the global community of sports, entertainment and arts enthusiasts experiencing these productions."

The following is the poem on which Keane's film is based:

Dear Basketball,

From that moment on. I started rolling my father's tube socks I hit imaginary shots The shot that wins the game. In the Great Western Forum.

I fell in love with you.

In that deep love, I gave everything From my mind and body To my spirit and soul

As a six year old boy

I was deeply in love with you I could not see the end of the tunnel. I was. I could only see myself running.

And I ran. I ran all over every court. Chasing loose balls. You wanted my hustle I gave my heart to you. Because it was more than that

I played in sweat and hurt Not because the challenge called Because you called me I did everything for you Because that's what you do Just like you made me feel Just like you made me feel. [You gave a six year old boy a laker's dream. And I will always love you for it. But I can't love you relentlessly for much longer. This season is all I have left. My heart can stand the pounding. My heart can bear the grueling pain But my body knows it's time to say goodbye

And that's okay. I'm ready to let you go. I want you to know that now. So we can both savor every moment we have left together. The good and the bad. We have each other. All that we have

and we both know that no matter what I do next I will always be A rolled up sock and a trash can in the corner A clock at :05 seconds Ball in my hand. Five ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1

Love you always, Kobe

(Kobe Bryant photo by Keith Allison) [35]