Spotlight Shanghai Dockers Women’s team
This spotlight video for the Women’s Shanghai Dockers Australian Football League team was a project rooted in people focused storytelling. Filmed in Shanghai by Outer Lane Studio, the video highlights four players Yige, Shailene, Lexi, and Gigi and offers an inside look at their connection to the sport, their lives outside of football, and the team culture that keeps everything fun, supportive, and welcoming.
From the outset, the intention was to create something honest rather than overly dramatic or overly serious. Australian Football League is a fast paced and physically demanding sport, but the Women’s Shanghai Dockers balance that intensity with humor, friendship, and a strong sense of community. That balance shaped the tone of the entire production. The focus was not only on how they play, but why they play, and what being part of this team adds to their everyday lives.
An interview day was filmed at Outer Lane Studio HQ in Shanghai, providing a calm and comfortable environment where each player could speak openly. The conversations were intentionally unscripted, allowing Yige, Shailene, Lexi, and Gigi to share their stories in their own words. They spoke about discovering AFL, managing life outside the sport, and the relationships that make the team feel like more than just a club. These interviews became the emotional backbone of the video.
Tournament coverage was captured during a competition day, adding energy and realism to the story. This footage shows the intensity of match play featuring the highs of scoring and the lows of being tackled. The focus, encouragement, and shared reactions between teammates highlight the collective nature of Australian Football League and the trust built within the team. These moments helped to show the intensity and excitement of a match day and show what the girls train for.
A separate day was dedicated to hero shots. This allowed space to visually highlight each player as an individual while still keeping them connected to the wider team identity. The hero shots were designed to feel confident and personal, avoiding anything overly stylized or performative. The intention was to show the players as they are, strong, present, and comfortable in their own skin.
This project reflects Outer Lane Studio’s approach to sports videography and storytelling in Shanghai. The emphasis is always on authenticity, strong visuals, and narrative clarity without forcing emotion or spectacle. The final video celebrates women’s AFL in Shanghai while giving viewers a genuine sense of the people behind the game.
At its core, this spotlight video is about passion, community, and enjoyment of the sport. It captures what makes the Women’s Shanghai Dockers special and why Australian Football League continues to grow through teams and individuals like Yige, Shailene, Lexi, and Gigi.
