North Hollywood (film)

North Hollywood
Film poster
Directed by	Mikey Alfred
Written by	Mikey Alfred
Produced by	Mikey Alfred Yusef Chabayta Andrew Chennisi Mimi Valdes Malcolm Washington Pharrell Williams Samuel McIntosh
Starring	Ryder McLaughlin Vince Vaughn Miranda Cosgrove
Cinematography	Ayinde Anderson
Edited by	Alex Tsagamilis
Distributed by	Illegal Civilization
Release date	March 26, 2021 (2021-03-26)
Running time	93 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

North Hollywood is a 2021 film written and directed by Mikey Alfred. The film stars Ryder McLaughlin, Vince Vaughn, and Miranda Cosgrove.^[1] Alfred began looking for funding to produce and direct the film in 2018, after being a co-producer on Mid90s (2018).^[2]

Plot[]

This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. Please by removing unnecessary details and making it more concise. (May 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Michael is a high school graduate living in North Hollywood, a neighborhood in the valley region of Los Angeles, California. He has dreams of becoming a pro skater, but is constantly brought down by his father, who forces the institution of college and getting a stable job on Michael. Michael's friend, Adolf, wants to stop skating after high school and start working full time. His other good friend, Jay, wants to go to college, and also skate at the same time.

At a skate contest at North Hollywood Skate Plaza, Michael is noticed by two professional skaters, Nolan Knox and Isiah Jordan. After this competition, Michael shows up late to his Water Polo Practice. He gets into a fight with a fellow Water Polo teammate and quits soon after. Michael runs into Rachel in the parking lot after his last Water Polo practice, and informs her that he has quit the team, to become a professional skater. When he gets home later that night, Michael's dad intensely teaches him how to fight.

At a local restaurant, Bob's Big Boy, Michael and Rachel meet up once again. Michael tries his best to talk to Rachel, although Jay and Adolf are playfully ridiculing him the whole time. Michael returns to NoHo Skatepark the next day, and talks to Walker, the local skatepark bum who is good friends with Nolan and Isiah. Michael talks about wanting to skate with Nolan and Isiah. Walker is open to the idea, but also somewhat turned off as Michael comes off as being too thirsty for the opportunity. Michael, Jay, and Adolf continue to spend time hanging out in NoHo, having water balloon fights, swimming in ponds, and of course, skating. Michael's two main focuses at this time are becoming a professional skater, and bettering his relationship with Rachel. Michael begins to feel like Jay and Adolf aren't taking things as seriously as he would like them to.

At another skate competition at NoHo Skatepark, Michael lands a very good frontside blunt slide on the rail in front of Nolan and Isiah. Nolan says that he is impressed at the end of the competition. Michael once again brings up the idea of him skating with them, which Nolan expresses some interest in. Later that night, Walker gives Michael a phone call and tells him to meet him, Nolan and Isiah at Westfield Mall the following day to skate and film. However, when Michael goes to skate at NoHo Skatepark that day, he breaks his board, leading him to try and shoplift a new board. Adolf, Jay, and Michael are caught by security. When Michael gets back home, his dad forces him to focus 100% on his future, being either college or working for him. The next day, Michael tells his dad he is meeting with his college counselor, a lie, which Michael's dad sees right through. Michael leaves to go skate with Nolan and Isiah. When the skate spot they are at gets busted by security, Michael makes an out of place joke towards Isiah about how he is afraid to fight against the security. But actually, Isiah will not stand up to security to protect his reputation. Walker calls Michael over and advises him to know his place and not get too comfortable, and disrespect Isiah or Nolan.

Michael goes to a meeting with a college counselor, who is surprised that Michael wants to go to college, when he cannot even name his SAT test score. She tells him bluntly that he isn't going to college, but can still make a living for himself. She believes he can become a professional skater if he puts in the work, and applies himself. Michael goes to lunch with Rachel, but previously had told Jay and Adolf that he could not hangout because of his dad. However, when Michael is with Rachel, he runs into Jay and Adolf in the street. Jay and Adolf confront Michael about how he never hangs out with them anymore. Michael seems however like he wants to know where they are skating, but they do not tell him. Rachel points out that Michael should just bring Jay and Adolf skating with the pros, but Michael says that Jay and Adolf don't take skating seriously enough where he would actually bring them. Michael told Jay and Adolf he could still not hangout, but proceeds to go to a show with Rachel that Jay and Adolf are at. Adolf, in particular, is very disappointed in Michael. Michael then clearly states that he does not want to hangout with Adolf because he acts like a kid. Adolf then warns Michael to watch himself.

Michael continues to hangout and skate with the pros. At the warehouse for Nolan and Isiah's company, Walker warns Michael that most people who try to skate professionally end up working in a skate shop, and that it is a very hard profession to pursue.

Rachel gives Michael four stones, to help with luck, success, focus, and truth. Michael seems to not take her stones very seriously. Michael and Rachel go to a party, where they share a very intimate kiss, and Michael confesses his liking for Rachel. In the morning, Michael is talking to Rachel's dad. He is very pleased that Rachel will be attending Stanford University. Rachel's dad asks Michael about his skating, to which Michael says is doing good. Rachel's dad, however, says that he doesn't think it is really much of a plan.

Michael walks into a house that Walker normally hangs out at. However, Michael is very displeased with Walker's behavior, and calls him a loser. Walker, extremely angered by this, throws several punches at Michael and is mad that Michael thinks he is better than him. Michael's dad sees the aftermath of Walker's punches, and tells Michael that he is not going to skate, and that he is also not going to go to college. Michael starts working for his dad and shaves his head. Michael approaches Nolan and Isiah, who don't recognize him at first. Once they do, they tell him that he needs it together and are also disappointed for the altercation with Walker.

Michael comes together with Jay and Adolf, who don't come anywhere close to accepting Michael's inconsiderate apology. Adolf is upset and feels abandoned by Michael, since he is hanging out with the pros only now. Jay agrees with Adolf's side of the situation. Michael and Rachel also come together, where they peacefully and mutually end their romantic relationship as Rachel is getting ready to leave for college. Michael tracks down Adolf once more, and throws rocks at his window. Michael tells Adolf to meet him at the 10 stair, where he will be filming with the pros. Adolf shows up, and watches Michael land a Tre Flip down the stair set. Nolan tells Michael and Adolf that they can both come on an upcoming skate trip to San Francisco. Michael is ecstatic that he will be able to go on this trip with Adolf. After Michael and Adolf leave together, they both talk and apologize to each other. Adolf then informs Michael that he isn't going to San Francisco. Adolf wants to work, but tells Michael to keep chasing his dream, and to not give up. Michael then goes to the junkyard, to tie up the last loose end, his father. Michael tells him that he cannot be the kid that his dad wants him to be. He says that he wants to go all in with skating, and he has to do this. Michael's dad accepts the fact that Michael is going to skate, and says that he loves him, and is proud of the man he has become.

Michael skates down the street with dreams, of becoming a pro skater.

Cast[]

• Ryder McLaughlin as Michael
• Vince Vaughn as Oliver
• Miranda Cosgrove as Rachel
• Nico Hiraga as Jay
• Aramis Hudson as Adolf
• Angus Cloud as Walker
• Tyshawn Jones as Isiah Jordan
• Bob Worrest as Nolan Knox
• Sparkle Tatyana-Marie as Rachel’s friend
• Blake Anderson as School Security Guard
• Gillian Jacobs as Abigaile
• Thomas Barbusca as Alter Boy
• Sunny Suljic as Clark
• Griffin Gluck as Drew
• Nate Hinds as Rubo

Cameos[]

There are several cameos in North Hollywood, ranging from popular skaters, filmers, musicians, and entrepreneurs

• Andrew Reynolds, founder of Baker Skateboards and professional skater is seen at the table scene
• Louie Lopez, professional skater for Converse, Independent trucks, Hardies Hardware, and Mob Grip is seen at the table scene
• Kader Sylla, skater sponsored by Baker Skateboards is seen as a ticketer in the film
• Davonte Jolly, skate filmer, is seen filming in the movie
• Sunny Suljic, skateboarder and star of the film "mid90s" is seen twice in the movie
• Na-Kel Smith, actor, musician, and professional skater for Fucking Awesome and Supreme is seen multiple times in the film
• Zach Saraceno, professional skater for Illegal Civ is seen in the film
• Kevin White, professional skater for Illegal Civ, and sponsored by Hardies Hardware is seen in the film
• Jason Dill, professional skater and co-founder of Fucking Awesome is shown as Father Mahoney in the film
• The Garden, popular band from Orange County, California.

Release[]

The film had its world premiere starting on March 26, 2021 at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. It was the first public event for the Sofi Stadium. Due to the pandemic, it was a drive-in style. The premiere was hosted for 3 nights in a row. ^[3][4]

References[]

External links[]

• North Hollywood at IMDb