‘UNDERDOG UPRISING’
New Mexico filmmakers at the helm of United documentary streaming on Very Local
Joaquín Manuel has loved film since he was a child. As an adult, he’s worked his way through the film industry — rising through the ranks.
His most recent project is “Underdog Uprising,” which is airing on the Very Local app.
“About two years ago, we were contacted by Hearst Media and they wanted us to showcase Albuquerque,” Manuel says. “We started down that path with ‘Absolutely Albuquerque’ and had a piece with Devon Sandoval of New Mexico United.”
Manuel says Hearst was blown away by the segment on Sandoval that they asked Manuel to develop another piece on the team.
Manuel and Tyler Pavey decided to co-direct “Underdog Uprising,” which takes a look at the supporters of New Mexico United. The pair both work for Albuquerquebased production company, Inspirado.
The 22-minute documentary has been airing since Wednesday, Feb. 28, on the Very Local app.
Pavey says production took place over a couple weeks in the summer during the United’s last season.
“Joaquín went down to Las Cruces to get the fans from down there,” Pavey says. “It’s about the state coming together. That’s the whole idea behind the team.”
Manuel says he was glad to return home to Las Cruces to showcase the fans that support from the area.
“Having seen many documentaries in my life, this time we had complete control,” Manuel says. “In the editing room, we had an idea of what we wanted to unfold. It’s taken under a year to really get this to be ready for people to see.”
Pavey says the documentary is very much about the supporters of New Mexico United.
“Without supporters, a team is 11 guys on the field,” Pavey says. “With supporters, it’s a movement.”
The editing was done in Los Angeles, and Manuel and Pavey found themselves shipping off edits via U.S. Postal Service on a hard drive.
“It was very old school,” the pair laughed.
The biggest struggle for the pair was to properly convey who the support system is for the soccer team.
“There was so much sifting through interviews,” Pavey says. “How do we show the people and what they are all about in 22 minutes? We found out quickly how to quickly convey this message.”
During the process, Pavey says one common refrain from the supporters is that many of them weren’t initially soccer fans and didn’t watch it until New Mexico United.
“It’s because they were seeing how much good the team is doing within the community,” Pavey says. “It’s a social action movement and that’s what draws people into it.”
Manuel says many of the members of Sektor 114 have become friends.
“I’m amazed at how it truly is a community and they are there to help each other out,” Manuel says.
Manuel and Pavey are also proud that the entire crew is New Mexican.
“It’s not often being a native New Mexican that we’re given opportunity to be directors and producers,” Manuel says. “Keagan Karnes (of Inspirado) is changing the New Mexico media landscape. It also feels good to show New Mexico on a national platform. It’s a thrill to be directing this.”
Pavey moved to New Mexico to continue his journey in film. Though he’s not a native, he’s found a community.
“I’ve always been searching for a place where I fit in and call home,” Pavey says. “The film community here has embraced me and it’s a great feeling.”
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