Direct what you know and Mikey Alfred has taken that to heart with North Hollywood
I created NORTH HOLLYWOOD to inspire you to achieve your dreams. Hopefully, you can see yourself in Michael, and swap out his dream for yours. I’m thankful to the entire team that helped put this film together, from the cast and crew to the producers. I personally feel so happy about the picture—a lot of young Black guys don’t even get to be older, so I feel content and thankful to have been able to actually make a debut feature film. I’m grateful to be able to share this piece of creativity with you
Mikey Alfred, Director
I’m not a skater boy (or girl) for that matter but have always been fascinated by the grace and athletic prowess of skateboarders. NORTH HOLLYWOOD is the directorial feature debut from Mikey Alfred, the founder of popular skate company Illegal Civ and co-producer of Mid-90s. The coming of age film stars Ryder McLaughlin, Miranda Cosgrove, Angus Cloud, Nico Hiraga, Aramis Hudson, and Vince Vaughn. Mikey has worked with cast members Ryder McLaughlin, Aramis Hudson, and Nico Hiraga on Summer of ’17 a series of short films with producer Malcolm Washington.
I have a weakness for coming of age stories where young people begin the steps to adulthood and independence from family. Its especially interesting to see one that is very regionally based with the Southern California skate culture before in its infancy as people thought of ways to make a living from doing something they love.
I’m fascinated by the cast but also the team behind the film. Among the producers are Pharrell Williams (musician, producer, artist, fashion designer), Noah Centineo (actor) co-founder of Favored Nations (a charitable organization), Mimi Valdés (producer, director, chief creative officer) former Editor-In-Chief of Vibe and Latina Magazines is an Afro Latina woman who has worked on numerous projects with diverse casts and stories, Yusef Chabayta & Andrew Chennisi who started out producing music videos and have won VMA awards and the first time director Mikey Alfred.
Synopsis: NORTH HOLLYWOOD follows Michael (Ryder McLaughlin) as he tries to answer the question every high school kid faces when they graduate: What’s next? Michael’s best friends already seem to have it figured out; one is going to college, and the other is going to work, but Michael is caught somewhere in between. He’s an aspiring professional skateboarder with the talent to back it up, but his blue collar father, Oliver (Vince Vaughn), thinks it’s a pipe dream. Oliver wants Michael to either get a college degree and pursue a more conventional career, or join him in the construction business. Over the course of the film Michael is torn in multiple directions: Should he go to college or get a job? Should he chase the career of his dreams or go for the girl? Should he choose the life that his dad wants or the life that he wants?
Confronted with the uncertainty of his future—and how it might impact his friends and family—Michael takes steps to build relationships with professional skaters in an effort to forge his own path. While this decision initially deepens the rifts in Michael’s personal life, he ultimately gains the support and acceptance he needs from his loved ones—including his dad.
Set against the backdrop of the eponymous Los Angeles neighborhood, NORTH HOLLYWOOD is a humorous and poignant slice of life that brings together a cast of established actors with real professional skaters to tell an authentic and personal story.
Directed by: Mikey Alfred
Produced by: Pharrell Williams, Noah Centineo, Mimi Valdés, Malcolm Washington, Yusef Chabayta, Andrew Chennisi, Carmen Cuba, Kevin Turren, and Harrison Kreiss
Cast: Ryder McLaughlin, Miranda Cosgrove, Angus Cloud, Nico Hiraga, Aramis Hudson, and Vince Vaughn
Run Time: 93 minutes
Rating: Not rated
Distributor: Brainstorm Media
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