This Friday, Playing the Protagonist, a new short film written, produced, and led by alum Justin Henriksen (Acting MFA 25) and featuring the work of a vast collection of CalArtians, premieres at the Los Angeles International Film Festival.
Inspired by Henriksen’s real-life decision to leave a lucrative investment banking job to pursue acting, Playing the Protagonist follows Riley, an exhausted banker whose daydreams cast him as the hero—fighting villains, leading the mafia, taming the Wild West—anywhere but the office.
“It wasn’t just the hours, the stress and the abuse; it was the feeling that I was living someone else’s life. There comes a moment when you realize the safest bet is the one you place on yourself,” Henriksen says in the film’s press materials.
The film has already earned recognition on the festival circuit. Henriksen was named Best Actor for the month of October by Indie Short Fest, and also Best Actor for October at the New York International Film Awards.
Director Justin Hogan, who also serves as head of Production Services at CalArts, said the film is ultimately a celebration of following your own path. “We hope this film reminds you: your story matters and you get to write it.”
A CalArts Collaboration
Playing the Protagonist was made almost entirely by CalArtians—students, alumni, faculty, staff, and even family. Hogan directed the film; alum Solly Benzacar (Film/Video BFA 15) served as director of photography and editor; Elizabeth Price (Theater MFA 25) produced; and a large ensemble of performers, designers, and technicians from across CalArts brought the project to life.
Cast and crew include:
Nathan Luce (Theater MFA 25), Shelby Marcee (Theater MFA 25), Tristan J. Samson (Theater MFA 25), Ashwath Ram (Theater MFA 25), Ana Escalante-Pasillas (current MFA student), Tom Evans (Cage Technician), Hunter Abal (Theater BFA 21, MFA 25), Erica Malachowski (Theater MFA 24), ZuZu Kandilige (current BFA student), Caroline Johnson (Theater MFA 24), Mychal Allison (Film/Video BFA 24), Jane Hamor (Theater MFA 24), Margot Le Duy (Theater BFA 24), Joshua Dix (current BFA student), Arden DiManno (Film/Video BFA 24), Paul Kyle (lead technical specialist, post-production), Samantha Brown (Theater BFA 23), and more.
Catch Playing the Protagonist on Friday, Nov. 14 at 3:30 pm at the historic Million Dollar Theater in Downtown LA. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online.
