What Is Love
Synopsis: In a gritty urban landscape where poverty, violence, and silence shape boys into hardened men, four lifelong friends—Jordan, Ricky, Levi, and Mal—stand at the crossroads between the lives they inherited and the futures they must choose for themselves. Jordan hides emotional scars left by his abusive father while trying to support his single mother and younger sister. Ricky, hardened by the streets and the shadow of his incarcerated dad, is torn between brotherhood and survival. Levi bears the weight of grief and caretaking, with a father who’s still alive but spiritually absent, and Mal, the conscience of the group, urging them to find purpose beyond pain. As each of them faces betrayal, police violence, gang threats, and broken homes, their brotherhood is tested. But when family trauma collides with street warfare, each young man must confront the question: What kind of man do I want to be—and what will it cost me to become him?
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LIST OF ROLES CURRENTLY BEING CAST. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY, AND OUR CASTING TEAM WILL CONTACT YOU SHOULD YOUR PROFILE ALIGN WITH ANY OF THE AVAILABLE ROLES.
JAMAL (MALL)
Role: Teen / Streetwise Best Friend
Bio: Mall is Jordan’s close friend, tough and witty, often the voice of reason in heated moments. He walks a fine line between loyalty and survival.
Ethnicity: Black
Age Range: 17–19
TANYA (JORDAN’S MOTHER)
Role: Mother
Bio: Tanya is a single mother raising Jordan. She’s protective and disciplined, doing everything she can to hold her household together while Jordan drifts further into the streets.
Ethnicity: Black
Age Range: Late 30s–Early 40s
JORDAN SR. (JORDAN’S FATHER)
Role: Father
Bio: Jordan Sr. is Jordan’s estranged father, recently released and trying to reconnect. He represents a man haunted by the past, searching for redemption but met with resentment.
Ethnicity: Black
Age Range: 30s–40s
DONTE (RICKY’S FATHER)
Role: Father
Bio: Donte is Ricky’s father, formerly incarcerated and trying to repair their strained relationship. His presence looms large in Ricky’s life, tied to anger, abandonment, and unresolved hurt.
Ethnicity: Black
Age Range: Late 30s–Early 40s
SANYA (RICKY’S MOTHER)
Role: Mother
Bio: Sanya is Ricky’s mother, emotionally exhausted and navigating life as a single parent. She’s sharp-tongued, deeply hurt by Donte, and protective of her son’s future.
Ethnicity: Black
Age Range: Late 30s–Early 40s
POP
Role: Father Figure / Mentor
Bio: Pop is a father figure in the neighborhood — wise, street-smart, and always watching. He commands respect and offers hard truths when the young men need it most.
Ethnicity: Black
Age Range: 50s–60s
Must Be available to shoot in or around the Los Angles California Area.
As well as Available for Production on July 28th, 2025
Application
Faqs: Thank you for your interest in applying for casting opportunities on our website for this film project. We want to ensure that all applicants understand the nature of the roles available. At our production house, we offer both paid and non-paid shoot opportunities, and we would like to clarify the distinctions between these options to help you make an informed decision when applying.
Paid Shoots:
Paid shoots refer to roles in film projects for which the actors receive monetary compensation for their time and talent. These roles typically come with a negotiated payment rate, and you will be compensated for your work as an actor.
Non-Paid Shoots:
Non-paid shoots refer to roles in film projects where the compensation is primarily in the form of experience, exposure, and the opportunity to be part of a production. These roles may not come with monetary compensation but can offer valuable screen time and credits for your resume. ** Please note that non-paid roles will not provide financial compensation. If you are seeking paid opportunities only, we recommend that you exclusively apply for roles labeled as “Paid Shoots.” Experience and Exposure:** Non-paid roles can be an excellent way to gain experience, build your portfolio, and expand your network within the industry. They can be particularly valuable for actors looking to gain screen time and add productions to their resume.
Respect for Your Preferences:** We respect your preferences and goals as an actor. If you are not interested in non-paid roles or adding them to your resume, please refrain from applying for these roles on our website.
How to Apply:
1. Browse the available casting opportunities on our website.
2. Pay close attention to the labels indicating whether a role is a “Paid Shoot” or “Non-Paid Shoot.” This information will be prominently displayed on the casting forms.
3. Apply for roles that align with your expectations and career objectives. If you are not interested in non-paid roles, focus your applications on the paid opportunities.
Thank you for considering our production house for your film career aspirations. We appreciate your understanding of the payment distinctions and encourage you to make choices that align with your career goals and aspirations. If you have any further questions or require clarification on specific casting opportunities, please feel free to reach out to our team for assistance at production@writerboyfilms.com. We look forward to working with you in bringing exciting film projects to life!
