VCU senior to screen film following men’s basketball team post-Shaka Smart

The screening takes place Friday, May 13th at 2:00 PM.

May 13, 2016; 9:36 AM • by Trevor Dickerson

From the news release:

“AfterShak,” a new documentary that follows the VCU basketball team through their first season without beloved coach Shaka Smart, will screen this Friday, May 13, as part of the VCU Film Senior Show.

Director and graduating senior Teddy Leinbach says, “I knew when Shaka left, there was a film in the making. The people of Richmond would either be left crying for his return or completely moving past the Shakaera.”

After developing the idea for “AfterShak” in July 2015, Leinbach began production in September. The 27minute film includes behindthescenes footage from games, interviews with Wade and individual players, and interviews with local fans as they cheer the team to victory over Richmond.

Leinbach’s previous films have focused on sports while exploring themes of family, emotional spikes, and the analytical vs. the conceptual. His 2014 mockumentary “Ball City” screened at the highly regarded Cucalorus Film Festival in Wilmington, NC.

Leinbach says he hopes “AfterShak” will reveal for viewers the team’s strong sense of family. “After Shaka left, the team felt abandoned,” Leinbach explains, “Players looked up to him, even going so far as to call him a father figure. Will Wade took over the job, understanding the brotherhood within the team and knowing the importance of gaining trust with the players and the VCU community.”

After the screening this Friday, Leinbach will submit “AfterShak” to film festivals, and he will eventually make it available online.

“AfterShak” will be the last of 10 films to screen at the VCU Film Senior Show. Tickets are free, and the event takes place at Byrd Theatre, in Richmond, at 2 PM.

The trailer can be seen below.