The world of sports often blends moments of exhilarating triumph with the poignant challenges athletes face.
Yet, within these narratives, unique stories stand out —stories that transcend the traditional boundaries of sports. ESPN’s upcoming 30 for 30 film, “Dude Perfect: A Very Long Shot,” premiering Saturday at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+, offers an unprecedented glimpse into the lives and adventures of the Dude Perfect team, a group that has redefined what it means to be athletes and entertainers in the digital age.
This film traces their incredible journey from backyard trick shots to global stardom, showcasing their creative genius, camaraderie, and relentless pursuit of their dreams.
Front Row recently had the opportunity to speak with directors Louis Burgdorf and Oliver Anderson, who provided exclusive insights into the creation and development of the film – including what it’s like to document a world record basketball shot atop The Strat Hotel in Las Vegas.
Below, watch an exclusive clip from the film.
What inspired you to create this film?
Anderson & Burgdorf: The story of Dude Perfect is fascinating because it’s not just about sports; it’s about creativity, friendship, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. They’ve built an empire out of a simple idea, and their journey is incredibly inspiring. We wanted to capture that spirit and show how they’ve impacted millions of fans around the world.
Anderson: We’ve always been interested in the modern-day Cinderella story of everyday people finding fame and fortune through the internet. What makes DP special is that they didn’t just stop at a viral video — they tapped into an audience no one else was talking to. They found a way for everyday folks to interact with sports on their own terms and built an empire in the process.
We really just held on for dear life. Their lives are so crazy we just tried to be with them for as much of it as possible and let our relationship with them and the challenges they were confronting reveal the story to us as we filmed it. – Director Oliver Anderson
How did you approach capturing the essence of Dude Perfect on camera?
Burgdorf: Capturing Dude Perfect’s essence meant spending a lot of time with them to get to know who they are on a personal level. It was important to us to understand where their incredible drive, energy, and creativity came from. We had to build trust with them to be present for every part of the Dudes’ process, from their greatest successes to their biggest moments of doubt and even failure. It was about portraying their authenticity and telling a story about what it takes to achieve the enormous success and lasting impact that Dude Perfect is known for.
Anderson: We really just held on for dear life. Their lives are so crazy we just tried to be with them for as much of it as possible and let our relationship with them and the challenges they were confronting reveal the story to us as we filmed it.
What were some of the most challenging aspects of directing this film?
Burgdorf: One of the biggest challenges was deciding the most important scenes to capture. The Dudes are constantly doing bucket list activities, all of which are very camera-worthy. When you embark on a project like this, you don’t have unlimited time and resources to film for years; you have a finite amount of production days in the field. It was very difficult to sift through the mayhem of exciting opportunities to pick the ones that would do the story the most justice.
Anderson: We knew they faced some bumps along the way, but for a group of guys who embody ‘perfection,’ we worked hard to build the trust needed to tell the story of some of their tougher moments.
I hope audiences come away with a deeper appreciation for the creativity and effort that goes into Dude Perfect’s work. Their story is more than trick shots; it’s about dreaming big, perseverance, and the power of collaboration and friendship.
– Director Louis Burgdorf
Can you describe a particularly memorable moment during the filming process?
Burgdorf: The world record basketball shot off of The Strat Hotel in Las Vegas was the most memorable moment of the film. Oliver and I thought that we had encountered the first ever Dude Perfect trick shot that was going to fail. It was the first time during our year-long filming process that we saw the look of doubt in every Dude. It was the most ambitious thing they had ever attempted, and for us to be there when they accomplished the unthinkable and made the shot against all odds was very special. Sending Coby [Cotton, Dude Perfect co-founder] to space was a close second.
Anderson: Being strapped on top of The Strat in Las Vegas as they attempted the climactic trick shot in the film was one of the hardest things mentally and physically we’ve ever done. The heat, the wind, the height—and the stress of “Will they do it?” — were immense pressures. As filmmakers, you want it for the film, but as people who have gotten to know these guys, you also want it for them.
What do you hope audiences will take away from the film?
Burgdorf: I hope audiences come away with a deeper appreciation for the creativity and effort that goes into Dude Perfect’s work. Their story is more than trick shots; it’s about dreaming big, perseverance, and the power of collaboration and friendship.
Anderson: At its most basic level, what Dude Perfect has accomplished isn’t different from what the athletes we idolize on ESPN achieve daily. Dude Perfect wouldn’t be where they are without a superhuman amount of hard work and more than a little sacrifice. Every day, they go to work to entertain, inspire, and sometimes even get us off our couches to attempt a trick shot of our own. Where do they fall in the pantheon of sports stars? We’ll let the audience judge that, but a 30 for 30 isn’t a bad start.
For more details, visit ESPN Press Room
As film co-director Oliver Anderson (C) adjusts a camera, co-director Louis Burgdorf (L) lays catch with one of the Dude Perfect stars. (Steve Bushman)
Burgdorf: “The Dudes are constantly doing bucket list activities, all of which are very camera-worthy.”(Steve Bushman)
Texas A&M’s Kyle Field has been home to many Dude Perfect stunts. (Steve Bushman)
