Editing Dan Napoli (section)

== Career ==

=== Early work and ETV ===

Napoli began documenting paintball during the late 1990s. According to his biography published through Film Independent, he has filmed [[San Diego Dynasty]] and members of its predecessor, the [[IronKids]], since 1999.[1]

He subsequently established Disconnected Media, an independent production company involved in sports documentaries and promotional filmmaking.[5]

Napoli became associated with [[ETV]], the video production project operated by British paintball equipment manufacturer [[Planet Eclipse]].

By 2010, he was identified by the manufacturer as ETV's director and producer, overseeing tournament coverage, documentary films and other original programming.[6]

His productions frequently involved professional player and commentator [[Matty Marshall]], who provided narration and interviews.

=== Rivalry (2010) ===

In February 2010, Napoli directed '''''Rivalry: The Vicious–XSV Story''''', a documentary examining the competition between Omaha Vicious and [[Sacramento XSV]] during the 2009 [[Paintball Sports Promotions]] season.

The film followed the two organisations as they competed in the semi-professional division, contrasting Vicious's development with XSV's attempts to rebuild following its earlier professional success.

Produced by Planet Eclipse, Understood Clothing and Disconnected Media, the documentary premiered in Omaha, Nebraska, on 6 February 2010.

Matty Marshall narrated the film, which was subsequently included in Planet Eclipse's ''Emortal 2'' DVD release.[2]

=== Artifact (2010–2012) ===

Napoli directed and produced films for '''''Artifact''''', an ETV documentary series launched in May 2010.

The series followed professional paintball teams through tournament seasons, training programmes and organisational changes.

Productions included films featuring Chicago Aftershock, San Diego Dynasty, San Antonio X-Factor and Omaha Vicious.

One of the series' productions, '''''One Night in November''''' (2012), documented Chicago Aftershock's experiences following the 2010 PSP World Cup and during the subsequent tournament season.[7]

Napoli also directed '''''#RedSunday''''' (2012), which followed Omaha Vicious as the organisation attempted to establish itself in professional competition.

The production involved more than a year of filming and was produced through Disconnected Media in association with Planet Eclipse and Deep Elm Records.[8]

=== The Roster (2013–2014) ===

In 2013, Napoli directed '''''The Roster''''', a documentary series developed with Planet Eclipse.

The programme followed San Antonio X-Factor during its preseason recruitment and preparation for professional competition.

The initial series documented tryouts involving amateur players seeking positions within the organisation.

It was narrated by Matty Marshall and released online through Planet Eclipse's media channels.[3]

Additional episodes followed the team's 2013 season.

A subsequent production focused on Chicago Aftershock during 2014.[5]

=== Fifteen: San Diego Dynasty (2015) ===

Napoli directed and produced '''''Fifteen: San Diego Dynasty''''', a feature-length documentary following [[San Diego Dynasty]] during its 2015 professional tournament season.

The film examined the team's attempt to maintain its record of winning at least one professional tournament every season since its establishment in 2001.

It featured players including [[Ryan Greenspan]], [[Oliver Lang]], [[Alex Fraige]], [[Yosh Rau]] and [[Marcello Margott]].

The production was released on 28 December 2015 and involved Planet Eclipse, Digital Hero Films and Hurrdat.

Matty Marshall provided narration, while Napoli shared editing responsibilities with James Chramosta.[4][9]

=== Holy Grail (2017) ===

Napoli directed '''''Holy Grail''''', a documentary released on 15 March 2017.

The film followed Canadian professional team [[Edmonton Impact]] during its 2016 campaign to win the [[Paintball World Cup]].

It examined the team's competitive development, its relationship with the Yachimec family and its pursuit of a championship that had eluded the organisation despite its other tournament successes.

The film was produced in association with Planet Eclipse and Hurrdat Films, with narration by Matty Marshall.[10]

=== Best Kids in Texas (2017) ===

Napoli also directed and produced '''''Best Kids in Texas''''', a documentary examining the development of competitive paintball in Texas.

The film explored the origins of San Antonio X-Factor and the relationships between the young players who formed the organisation.

Its subjects included Archie Montemayor, Alex Martinez, Grayson Goff, Ryan Brand and other figures associated with Texas tournament paintball.

The film was originally released in October 2017 and later received wider digital distribution through Gravitas Ventures in 2020.[11][12]

=== Other paintball films ===

Napoli's additional documentary work includes:

* '''''HB10: Surf City Dreams''''' (2013), a film examining the development of the NPPL Huntington Beach tournament and its influence on the presentation of professional paintball.[13]
* '''''The Blue Man''''' (2016), a documentary concerning Michael "Blue" Hanse and his final participation in a tournament associated with his paintball career.[5]