If you spend a day driving through Los Angeles, chances are you’ll encounter at least one mural dedicated to Kobe Bryant. The basketball champion and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant died tragically in a helicopter crash in 2020, but their legacies surely live on through meaningful and expressive images, poems, and statues memorializing their widespread inspiration. USC Iovine and Young alumnus Nate Stranzl wanted to not just capture that phenomenon, he yearned to be a part of it. Last month, the filmmaker was part of a stellar team that unveiled the mural “Grana,” which is the largest Kobe Bryant portrait in all of Los Angeles history. 

Located in the heart of LA, the artistic tribute represents a bold image of Kobe next to a large black mamba, as well as a rendering of daughter Gigi Bryant and a collection of characters as they soar with basketballs over an open book. The mural was drawn by 3D muralist Odeith and LA artist Nikkolas Smith. 

In addition to organizing the creation of the powerful large-scale portrait, Stranzl and his production company Palinoia Productions documented the experience through a touching short film that serves as a gripping tribute to Bryant’s eternal spirit. Driven by a personal connection to the late sports icon, he felt compelled to “make an impactful story around what Kobe was trying to do.”“Grana,” Stranzl’s short film showcasing the mural, speaks to Bryant’s creative heart and soul and his dedication to encouraging others to reach their utmost potential. 

"GRANA" - Kobe Bryant Short Film

In order to create a unique mural dedicated to Bryant, Stranzl teamed up with Branded Studios, an artistic services company specializing in art production, consulting, and installations. After nearly two years of seeking funding and the right space to showcase the artistic statement, Stranzl finally partnered with West Coast Trial Lawyers, a firm looking to update their massive building wall. He spent 10 days in early August organizing the painters and the accompanying logistics. “Grana” now lives at 1147 South Hope Street in Downtown Los Angeles. 

Stranzl and his production partner knew they wanted to make an accompanying video that elucidated the project’s journey. The film component of “Grana” acts as a way to further amplify his vision. 

“We wanted to do it in the right way,” Stranzl says of the lengthy process. “And I’m happy our patience paid off.”

Stranzl had a unique chance to witness a prolific side of Kobe Bryant not many fans had access to. He landed a job at Bryant’s production company Granity Studies as an Academy sophomore, an experience he calls “life-changing.” Stranzl and fellow Academy alumnus Jared Bass spent their days at the office writing stories, developing ideas for books and movies, and quietly observing Bryant’s commitment to creating a storytelling universe focused on positive impact. Stranzl personally resonated with the “deeper lessons” that Bryant hoped to impart on the younger generation of athletes.

“Youth sports is increasingly commoditized and competitive to the point where it can be detrimental to mental health, performance, and fun being taken out of it,” Stranzl explains, recalling the performance anxiety he felt as a young competitor. “Kobe was privy to that which is so interesting because he’s such an intense competitor and that mentality is legendary, but all he cared about was for kids to actually find joy and fun in playing while maintaining a high level of competition.”

Stranzl recognizes the unexpected mission Bryant was on to put an imaginative stamp on the world while helping kids be their best selves. He saw the significance of merging entertainment with valuable life lessons about confidence and emotional wellbeing. 

“He [Bryant] wanted to package those lessons of fun, but also getting better. Also that mindfulness, how to stay present in the moment, and deal with your emotions. I thought that was really cool, to then put that in a package of entertaining fantastical stories,” he adds. 

In addition to Bryant's influence, Stranzl points to the Academy as a defining moment in the road to becoming a thoughtful director. Not only did the school connect Stranzl with Granity Studios, the integrated curriculum equipped Stranzl with essential knowledge about design, technology, communication, and entrepreneurship. Above all, Stranzl learned that storytelling is imperative no matter what you’re doing, whether it’s raising money or communicating an idea. 

“I didn’t even think about design in high school. I was into video and story and ideas, but then I saw the way things are presented, the energy and the look and feel of something. Then the business side of being an entrepreneur, running your own video production business, there are so many different hats you have to wear,” Stranzl recounts. “The Academy was super great at that – whether it was group projects or figuring out the story for a pitch or making a pitch deck – it’s all about narrative.” 

Looking ahead at his career to come, Stranzl strives to make “bigger and better stories that reach more people.” He is forever empowered by Bryant and credits the All-Star for giving him the confidence to find his own creative voice. For Stranzl, “Grana” is a way to honor Bryant’s impact and legacy. The film’s opening quote captures not only the basketball legend’s mentality and personal ethos, but also what Stranzl hopes to accomplish through his work and life:

“The definition of greatness is to inspire the people next to you… It’s not something that lives and dies with one person.”  - Kobe Bryant

Unveiled last month, Grana is the largest portrait of legendary Kobe Bryant in LA history. Academy alum Nate Stranzl co-produced the mural and the short film as tribute to Bryant’s legacy of greatness. 

Stranzl was privy to a creative side of Kobe Bryant not many fans got the chance to see. While working at Bryant’s production company as an Academy student, he witnessed the basketball legend’s fierce dedication to storytelling to inspire the next generation to become the best version of themselves. Read more about how this Cohort 1 alumnus brought his personal vision to life.

Short Film Shines a Light on Powerful Kobe Bryant Mural