Interviews with the Locals - Short Film

A natural leader, Sophie always has odd ideas and solutions for everything. Skating gives her a sense of freedom and youth she feels she never experienced growing up. Since discovering this new world — and her new friends — she feels bold, empowered, and on a natural high.

Tom is friends with Jane and Sophie. He’s the quiet guy who keeps the group grounded. Though he comes from a very proper family, he secretly sees himself as a bit of a rebel — a badass in hiding. He keeps his two worlds separate; while he knows nearly everything about his best friends, they know almost nothing about his personal life. Around Sophie and Jane, though, he becomes loud, confident, and fully himself.

Quirky — in the best and coolest way. At first glance, Jane appears to be your typical American girl, but there's something unconventional just beneath the surface. A former ballerina, she moves with grace and posture, yet brings unexpected energy and spark to any room. Her humor is quiet, unexpected, and layered in contradiction. Slightly naive at times, which only makes her more lovable.

Imagine Rico (Napoleon’s uncle) from Napoleon Dynamite — but possibly more ridiculous. The Coach is stuck in the nostalgia of his "glory days" as a skateboarder… which, truthfully, weren’t that glorious. He spends most of his time sitting in his chair, swearing and drinking beer, occasionally tossing out advice. He’s thrilled to be interviewed for the show.

She’s the ultimate sports mom — always smiling, always present, and always ready. As vibrant as she is, she tends to confuse those around her. Her outlook on life is overly optimistic — a kind of cultural utopia — and she’s a bit naive about the realities others face. Inspired by magazine stories of white actresses adopting children from other cultures, she decided it would be fashionable to do the same — and adopted a Caucasian boy.

Must look very young and short, could pass as pre-teen. Must have some skateboarding ability. He’s high-energy, super friendly, and magnetic. Even the older skaters want to hang out with him. He’s confident, enthusiastic, and stoked about everything — especially the fact that his mom wants to learn how to skate.

Think “gymnast mom” energy — the kind who says, “My kid’s a winner, and there’s no other option.” A bit of a Karen, a bit intense, and always looks like she’s in the middle of a battle — because to her, everything is one. But underneath the intensity is just a wacky bird-lady energy: chaotic, strange, and deeply committed to her “son’s” success, in her own unique way.

An ex-pro skater (no skating required) who looks like he’s been through hell and back. He’ll appear in a fake commercial wearing a neck brace, two leg casts, and two arm casts — promoting a full-body padding suit he wishes he’d had before “The Accident.”