The EXP Lane prodigy gives us a look behind the curtains of what it’s like to be part of the Esports World Cup’s documentary series.
As multiple stories converge in Riyadh, Team Liquid’s Sanford Vinuya stands at the forefront as one of the features in Esports World Cup: Level Up. This five-part documentary series highlights the players and personalities who compete at the highest level of esports competition.
“Nung nakapasok kami, napili akong makunan ng back story,” recounts Team Liquid’s Sanford in an interview with the media. “After ng EWC, pumunta sila rito sa Pilipinas at nag-shoot sa bahay namin para ipakita yung buhay ko sa loob at labas ng MLBB. Pinakita rin kung paano ako sinu-supportahan ng mga parents ko.”
“Para sa akin, new experience talaga yun. At sobrang na-amaze ako sa ginagawa nila sa shoot. Super ganda ng production, especially yung mga equipment nila. Sobrang thankful nga ako na ako yung feature sa ganitong production.”
That should come as no surprise as the documentary is headed by Emmy-winning director R.J. Cutter. Still, having your day-to-day life recorded can be an awkward experience. Sanford even mentioned that his parents were always so shy around the camera despite the crew’s best efforts to stay in the background. But eventually they all grew to be comfortable around each other. Sanford’s father even ended up befriending one of the cameramen by the time the shoot concluded.
Inspiring Future Esports Athletes
When asked why he agreed to be part of the Esports World Cup: Level Up documentary series, Team Liquid’s Sanford replied, “para mas marami pang ma-motivate and give knowledge to those na hindi pa aware tungkol sa MLBB community. Para maka-inspire din ako ng mga gamers na may same situation sakin. Ipagpatuloy lang din nila yung ginagawa nila.”
“Mas naging proud ako kay Fordie [Sanford],” says Mitch Liwanag, Country Manager at Team Liquid Philippines. “Mas makikilala na sya ng tao. Usually, hindi naman talaga nakikita yung buhay sa likod ng camera. Laging achievements lang naha-highlight o kung ano yung nangyayari sa pro scene. Dito sa documentary na to, mas makikilala nila si Sanford Vinuya, not just sa in-game name nya, but also yung buhay nya at paano sya supportahan ng pamilya nya. Mas magiging instrument to para makita ng mga fans yung mga pinagdadaanan nya.”
You can watch the Esports World Cup: Level Up documentary on Amazon Prime. Team Liquid Sanford’s episode is already out, along with the other personalities who’ve been a part of the EWC.
Banner photo from MOONTON Games.