Locally Produced Documentary “Through the Lines” Wins Best Cinematography at NOVA Film Festival in Northern Virginia
High Point, NC: The tension is high and so are the stakes with potential careers on the line. But what begins as a straightforward soccer movie about amateurs wanting to turn professional gradually morphs into a story of human connection, with players and coaches growing together as they experience the season of their lives. In the new documentary “Through the Lines”, this is not only true for the young soccer players, but also for the small film crew telling their stories.
Across America, collegiate soccer players from around the world strive to take their game to the next level by showcasing their talent in pre-professional leagues like USL 2. “Through the Lines” follows the men’s North Carolina Fusion U23 soccer team all the way to the national championship as they compete in the post-COVID 2021 season.
High-Point based filmmakers Gerry Gibson (director), Kyle Meyers (editor), and Devin Forbes (cinematographer) have led the video project produced by Go Forth Pictures, a DBA of Triad-based Go Forth Marketing, a full-service strategy, video, and creative agency located at 4000 Ossi Ct. in north High Point.
Some of the players in the film are homegrown locals who played with NC Fusion for years, while others have played in the most prestigious academies in Europe, South America, and the US. Despite their undeniable talent, many of these players are buried in rarely scouted lower-division collegiate programs. The fight for recognition and a coveted shot at a professional contract is an ever-present driver for these often-overlooked athletes. “Through the Lines” not only details the journey of the season, but also chronicles the cultural foundation of the group and their emotional growth from teammates to family in the span of four short months.
The film’s world premiere was at RiverRun International Film Festival on April 21st, 2024, and screened virtually at NOVA Fest for the week of April 21st to the 27th. For the latter, it was awarded Best Cinematography out of the entire feature film category, which included films that were not documentaries. It had also been nominated for the Russell Williams II Award for Best Soundscape.
Generously sponsored by Go-Forth Pest Control, the film allowed the Go-Forth’s owners Chase and Leah Hazelwood to illuminate and amplify the quality of local soccer, a sport they deeply care about. “It’s really important to Chase and I that our name be aligned with movements and initiatives and development here in the Carolina Core that stand for opportunity and optimism.” Leah, who along with her husband is a part owner of the new professional soccer team in the Triad, Carolina Core FC, continues to work on behalf of the region to grow what she considers to be an integral part of a prospering community. “We have four young children that are in sports, and I’ve seen personally the impact that sport can have on the youth in our community. “Through the Lines” exemplifies that through the story of these talented young players.”
“Through the Lines” not only examines the unique path to professional soccer in the US, but also analyzes the overall culture of the sport in this country. Director Gerry Gibson elaborates: “Most sports films will cover the length of a season and put tremendous focus on the wins and losses. And we do that; the team won a lot of games. But that was only part of the story. We also explored the issues these players face every day in the American soccer landscape…and the heart of the film is how closely knit the team was; it felt important to show the bond between them as they grew together as teammates and friends.”
The film is an unusual release from the team at Go Forth Marketing, a full service marketing agency in High Point that possesses a talented team of storytellers. “What makes us unique is that…it’s just great people,” said EVP Chief Brand Officer Gary Corns. “We provide a service that a lot of people provide, but what makes the difference is the people we have providing the service.”
The entire film was shot by three people, Gerry Gibson, Devin Forbes, and Kyle Meyers, all UNCSA graduates and Triad locals. “We’ve been working together for 14 straight years, so we practically have our own unspoken language while shooting that allows us to work really quickly and capture incredible footage,” shared Devin Forbes, the cinematographer of “Through the Lines.” “Filmmaking for us hasn’t really been about chasing some fantastic end goal, it has always been about telling amazing stories with a team of amazing people, and we didn’t need to go to Los Angeles or New York City to find that.”
About Go Forth Marketing:
Born out of the internal marketing department of Go Forth Pest Control in early 2022, Go Forth Marketing is a full service marketing agency offering strategy, video and creative services. Under the leadership of CEO Leah Hazelwood, our team comprises a diverse array of professionals who are not only passionate about what they do but also deeply committed to playing a pivotal role in the growth narratives of our clients. Our foundation rests on a set of core values that prioritize people, collaboration, positivity, and a growth mindset. Consequently, we approach every project with unwavering enthusiasm and an ownership mentality.
About Go-Forth Pest Control:
Go-Forth Pest Control, founded in 1959 in High Point, North Carolina, has branches throughout NC, SC, VA and GA. It is a third-generation, family-owned business. Go-Forth’s mission is to be people-focused in all they do, and by holding themselves accountable to the highest standards of service and professionalism, they foster the growth of their team and their business. Go-Forth is committed to being a modern, innovative industry leader with the personal touch of a local, family-owned company. Go-Forth is home to seven NC Statewide Technicians of the Year. The company is also a Family Business Award winner, a Triad Best Places to Work winner, a Best Employer in NC, a BBB Torch Award Finalist, a PCT Top 100 company, a Triad Fast 50 company, and one of Inc. Magazine’s Fastest-Growing Companies in America. For more information, please visit http://Go-Forth.com.
You can view the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6-dBdFzrkM