SNYs production team is bringing cinematography to the forefront of Mets games mimicking scenes from these classic movies
Mets fans are paying plenty of attention to the man-power behind the curtain.Although the Amazins’ on-field play is anything but classic lately, the SNY production team is going viral for its jaw-dropping in-game cinematography that mimics scenes from iconic films like “The Wizard of Oz” and “Planet of the Apes.”The cinematic sorcerers of Citi Field, the SportsNet New York crew is enjoying a moment of extra virality in its 20th season as fans soak in the movie magic peppered throughout the telecast — a trend the team is dubbing #baseballiscinema.“You want the show to be the main event, and I’m told that some of the devices that we have implemented sort of make baseball the primetime main event,” John DeMarsico, SNY’s broadcast director, told The Post.“It’ll give people a reason to tune in other than just the X’s and O’s that they’re going to get with our great broadcast as it is.”SNY has long been considered the best sports broadcasting network in the game, but viewers have recently caught on to some extra flair thrown in between plays, including many moments that eagle-eyed fans have noticed are nods to silver screen classics such as “Kill Bill.”This season alone, SNY referenced the moment Dorothy walked into the colorful world of Oz by transitioning relief pitcher Edwin Díaz out of black and white as he stormed the field from the bullpen.
The team also pointed to the shocking ending of the original “Planet of the Apes” by filming the field from behind a fan’s foam Statue of Liberty headband.SNY innovators developed a three-player split screen that mimicked the climax moment of the 2024 “Challengers” blockbuster.The genius comes directly from DeMarsico, a self-described “film buff” and baseball nerd.“It’s me consuming way too much film,” he said.
“I’m not a passive viewer — when I see something on the big screen or watching at home, I literally take out my phone, take a note, take a screenshot and put...