Project Description: Close friends Alex and Yan Bo, eighth graders and first-gen Americans, cram for a test to get into a prestigious NYC prep school. The boys try to put out fires - institutional pressures, illicit parties, inane science experiments, and a cheating accusation that threatens their friendship - any one of which could explode at any time.

Cast Roles:

• Alex Chavez (11-14, male, Latino/Hispanic) - Lead role. Reserved, studious, and the oldest son of working-class parents, he wants nothing more than to get into a prestigious private high school (with help from his REACH scholarship) and to be a role model for his little brother. He's honest, funny and studies hard - he's never been handed any opportunities and constantly works hard for every single one. He struggles with the intense academic pressure placed on him, and after the accusation of cheating, he puts his energy elsewhere, leading him to crumble at the foundation of all he's worked for.

• Yan Bo Lin (11-14, male, East Asian) - Outwardly relaxed and whip smart, Yan Bo is a great student who relies on his natural smarts and talents with a tiny bit of studying to succeed. However, he feels he can never live up to his parents' impossible standards and that he will always be inferior to his high-achieving older sister, Lejing. Yan Bo is desperate to both fit in and stand out. He'd much rather be in his room playing video games than trying to navigate the anxiety-inducing situations he faces at school.

Director: Dan Perlman

Dates: Approx. 5 weeks in September/October 2024

Shooting Location: New York City

Compensation: Paid

Submission Instructions:

• Send a recent picture, age, contact info and location you’re based in to this email.