The Gentle Sport

a documentary short by Jenni Nelson & John Rory Fraser
producer, director, cinematographer, editor
HD Video | 8 minutes | Aspect 16x9 | Stereo | ©2010 Fraser & Nelson | USA

Synopsis

The Gentle Sport is a whimsical and humorous portrait of one of the largest lawn bowling clubs in the United States, examining the appeal of this traditionally English game now played in an American context. The painterly cinematography captures the idiosyncrasies of the rules of the game as well as the personalities of the members of the Palo Alto Lawn Bowls Club. The film is a delightful look into the history, shifting traditions, and future of this leisure sport.

Film Credits

Produced, directed, edited, and filmed by
Jenni Nelson and John Rory Fraser

Music by
Keith Parish

Featuring
John Hickson
Glenn Stewart
Ginger Harris
Fred Hawley

Faculty Advisor
Jan Krawitz
Technical Assistance
Mark Urbanek &
Christian Gainsley

Special Thanks To
John Hickson
Peter Danner
Betsy Young
Glenn Stewart
Fred Hawley & 
Ginger Harris
and the Palo Alto Lawn Bowls Club

Produced in the Documentary
Film and Video MFA Program
Department of Art & Art History
Stanford University
©2010 Fraser & Nelson

Screenings

Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, 2012

Winner of the US Lawn Bowls Association film competition, 2010

"Party on the Edge" Cantor Arts Center Screening, 
Stanford University, 2010