Cinema and media arts students Joel Corral and Jonathan Kim are documenting Biola Men’s Soccer for their senior thesis documentary, “A Second Shot.” Kim’s vision for this project was sparked by watching “All or Nothing,” a documentary series on Amazon about two years ago. However, due to logistical issues, he could not go through with the project at the time.
“I thought that dream was totally crushed, and I thought that I couldn’t make it in my time at Biola,” Kim said.
Kim described forming his friendship with Caleb Castaño, a junior midfielder for the men’s soccer team whose major is undecided, in a photography class, inspiring him to pitch his idea again. This is where he brought the idea to Corral once more after those two years.
“I was like, dude, let’s do it,” Corral said. “We definitely have some bond for sure, and what better way to even get closer to these guys and to capture everything on camera.”
The two were ready and excited to sit down and talk about this passion project that has been long overdue. They believe following the progress and success of a Division II team like Biola men’s soccer is significant. Realizing it is going to be a big task, the two are making this project a priority.
PURPOSE BEHIND THE PLAYER
Corral and Kim are seeking to display the stories of the soccer players in a light that not many are quick to see. They aim to tell these stories and show that soccer is a unifying force for players and spectators.
“The purpose behind it is we want to be able to tell a story that helps people feel the weight of why soccer means so much to these players,” Kim explained.
Kim takes this project personally in many ways. Growing up in England, he attended an all-boys private school where soccer was the only sport that he was able to use to connect with others and have fun. He played from elementary school through high school, recounting the emotions of the game.
“Every time they score a goal, you feel ecstatic, and every time they miss a goal, you feel the heartbreak,” Kim said.
Capturing this emotion through their documentary is the central aspect of it all.
Meanwhile, Corral’s sport growing up was baseball. He learned the pressure and importance of showing up with your all, which translates directly into this project for Corral.
“Life is crazy, it’s gonna hurl you a bunch of curveballs and you gotta be ready to step up to the plate and swing for the fences,” Corral said. “Having that mindset has really helped me with all my film projects I’ve worked on in my past three, four years at Biola.”
The two have personally dealt with the trials of playing a sport that requires putting in work with grit and determination to see results.
FRIENDSHIP FRAMES SENIOR THESIS
Corral and Kim met through the app ZeeMee, back in 2021, before starting Biola. The duo sparked a friendship online, even creating the Biola 2025 Instagram account together for everyone to post introductions and make connections.
Kim describes the start of their friendship as a foreshadowing to this project. They wondered why no one was making the Instagram account, so they joined together to make one, just as they are now making their Instagram account now to showcase men’s soccer at Biola. From ZeeMee to meeting on move-in day at Hart hall, Corral and Kim have always supported each other in their growth.
“We’ve been friends since freshman year, and now we’re all housemates,” Kim said. “We’ve clicked, and we’ve both been a really big support for each other.”
They are able to not only be there for one another, but to challenge each other to be better in their school and personal lives. Having each other in close proximity has allowed them to collaborate on another level.
Corral sees how much their friendship has been able to provide to their senior project.
“It’s definitely a brotherhood for sure,” Corral said. “He’s seen me grow as a filmmaker and as a child of God.”
In essence, they are simply best friends making a story about other best friends. Afton McNatt, senior Cinema media arts major, friend and classmate of the duo, happened to walk past during the interview. He is not only greeted by the two in their excitement, but testifies to the progress and overall success of the documentary so far.
“It’s exciting to see how the sports teams are being able to be represented through the film program, that’s really cool to see at Biola that I haven’t seen in years past,” McNatt said.
COMMITTING TO THE PROCESS
Taking on this project after dreaming about it for the past few years means facing obstacles that naturally arise. It can be easy to bow out and take the easy way out of making a quality documentary. They know that they must be willing to take risks, knowing that God opens doors. You’ve heard that failure is inevitable, but taking it and moving forward is the mindset they have working on the project.
“There’s so many things: camera, SD card is full, you don’t have the right mic,” Corral said. “You could learn and do it next time, or you have to accept them and go with the flow.”
Being good stewards of their craft helps them embody what it means to be creators created by the Creator.
“I’m learning that God will guide this project well through prayer and both me and Joel relying on Him, being willing to take the risk, but know that God is by our side through all of this,” Kim said.
This is their first and last project together as Biola students. They have already worked so hard and continue to push to make the end result, come Spring 2025, something to be proud of.
Look out for Biola Men’s Soccer home games to cheer on our Eagles and support “A Second Shot” by getting the word out about this upcoming project and sharing their information on social media.
If you would like to contribute to their project and follow the updates, follow along on their Instagram page.
