CARSON- For the first time, students in the Digital Media Arts department documented an entire athletic season through a six-episode sports documentary series produced in DMA 495: Sports Documentary. The project follows the Toro men’s soccer team, capturing not only action on the field but the relationships, setbacks, and defining moments that shaped the journey.
The course was led by DMA lecturer Johnny Gonzales, who designed it to function less like a traditional classroom and more like a professional production company.
“We’re a production company – this isn’t a class,” Gonzales said. “They are our clients.”
Inspired by the growing popularity of behind-the-scenes sports documentaries, Gonzales said he saw an opportunity to highlight the university’s athletic programs while giving film and television production majors real-world portfolio pieces.
“I love college sports, and last year we had that huge run with basketball,” Gonzales said. “Nobody really knew about it. I wanted to bring awareness to our sports teams because we are really good.”
Department Chair Dr. George Vinovich said the idea evolved from a previous collaboration between DMA and athletics, including a live sports broadcasting course that streamed home games. This time, the focus shifted from live coverage to long-form storytelling.
“He came up with the idea of doing documentaries – behind the scenes, profiling the players and their lives and what they go through in a season to win a championship,” Vinovich said. “It is different because all the work is done outside of class time. It simulates what students would do in the industry.”
Unlike a lecture-based course, DMA 495 required students to attend practices and games, conduct interviews in studio settings, capture natural sound, and edit for hours beyond scheduled class meetings.
“You may only use three seconds from a whole game,” Vinovich said, “But you’ve got to film the whole game to get it.”
Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities Dr. Tim Caron said the proposal stood out because of its career-driven focus and its potential to connect athletics with media production.
“To get a job in this industry, students must have content and portfolios,” Caron said. “It’s really competitive, so having that hands-on experience makes all the difference in the world.”
Caron added that the documentary series reflects the collaborative spirit of the campus and its emphasis on preparing students for life after graduation.
“What is showing to the students and their families is that we’re thinking about what you’re doing with your degree once you graduate,” Caron said. “There is a spirit of collaboration on campus. Our students will have opportunities.”
For the student filmmakers, the experience was unpredictable.
Senior film and television production major Augusto “Gus” Leon Jr. described the class as a rollercoaster.
“One minute you’re excited, the next you’re disappointed,” Leon said. “Sometimes we had footage, and the audio was not great, so we could not use it. Or interviews would be canceled. You had to be prepared for the unexpected.”
Leon served in multiple roles throughout the semester, including camera operator, sound technician, producer, and editor. He said the course forced students to step out of their comfort zones.
“Professor Gonzales puts it as ‘you’ve got to be comfortable with being uncomfortable,’” Leon said.
Senior Carlos Gutierrez, who directed and produced an episode, said the challenge elevated everyone’s work.
“It was difficult because it was the first time around,” Gutierrez said. “But it was a good challenge. It pushed us to be better filmmakers, and ultimately it came out really good.”
Jonathan Gonzalez, also a senior film and television production major, said the class offered an immersive experience unlike any other.
“It was such a great and fun time throughout the whole semester,” Gonzalez said. “You get real-world experience. You are going to games, seeing players you are interviewing. It just takes it further than a normal documentary class.”
Senior midfielder Ramiro Rosas said the experience made the year feel even more meaningful.
“It kind of made you feel like you were in a professional environment,” Rosas said. “It would have been weird if we had cameras following us and did not have anything to show for it.”
Rosas said the documentary allows players to relive moments that might otherwise fade with time.
“Usually when the season’s over, I kind of forget about everything,” he said. “But having this documented, you can go back and relive those moments. It was a brotherhood for three or four months, and it is probably going to last a lifetime.”
Senior attacking midfielder Christian Briseño described the project as a blessing.
“To have a documentary team come film us from the beginning all the way to the end – even filming us at pasta night at the soccer house – it’s going to be a great memory,” Briseño said. “It shows people what it’s like to be a college athlete, especially at a successful program.”
He said the cameras did not change how he played, but deepened his appreciation for his final season.
“Life is too short. Moments are short,” Briseño said.
Both players praised the student filmmakers for creating a comfortable and authentic environment.
“They didn’t ask us to fake anything,” Rosas said. “It was literally us being ourselves.”
Gonzales structured the class like a professional set, assigning students roles such as director, producer, editor, graphics, and sound. Each episode had its own editor, allowing creativity while maintaining a strict narrative.
“I wanted to give them creative freedom,” Gonzales said. “But at the same time, this is a story we have to tell.”
Deadlines proved to be one of the toughest lessons. Some students received incompletes as they finalized edits.
“In the real world, there’s money on the line,” Gonzales said. “You’ve got to meet deadlines.”
Despite the pressure, students said the experience strengthened their determination and storytelling abilities.
“I’m not here just to create a video,” Leon said, “There’s a story I want you to feel.”
The emphasis on storytelling separates the series from standard game highlights. Viewers will see emotional turning points and the determination that fueled the team.
“It shows what you don’t see on game day,” Vinovich said. “It’s about the journey.”
The collaboration between DMA and Athletics is already expanding. Students are documenting another Toro team, with plans to feature different sports in the future.
The documentary series will premiere March 23 at 6 p.m in the Recital Hall located in La Corte Hall. The screening is free and open to family, friends and members of the community who would like to attend and show their support.
For Caron, the screening represents more than the debut of a class project.
“I hope people realize how special a campus is,” Caron said. “It shows our diversity, our values, and the way we focus on student success.”