Greater Philadelphia Film Office
Project Title: Ambitious
Genre: Drama-comedy
Episodes: (6) thirty minute episodes
Series Summary: Samara is an impatient, bold Vietnamese-Cambodian-American girl who is determined to show her independence and drive as a college-dropout. On her quest for validation she has to sort out her new lifestyle, relationships, and prove to her immigrant mother she has what it takes to succeed. Pressure makes diamonds. Or crushes them.
A 2022 Sundance Institute Asian American COLLAB Scholarship Recipient, the series demonstrates college pressure for a first-generation student, interracial relationships, exploring one own’s sexuality, cultural and academic identities, as well as the over-glamorized hustle culture.
Shooting Location(s): Philadelphia, PA
Shooting Dates: Starting Mid-February
Compensation: TBD
If interested, please email your resume and reel to ambitious.series@gmail.com with the subject title “AMBITIOUS CASTING – ROLE YOU’RE AUDITIONING FOR”
NOVA BRITE
Age: 22
Ethnicity: African-American or South Asian preferred but open to other ethnicities.
Description: An artsy, super kind-hearted, science POC geek who discovers her bisexuality during her last year of college. Former middle-school friends, Samara and Nova reunite as Samara moves into Nova and Eric’s apartment.
ERIC MOLINA
Age: 23
Ethnicity: Filipino
Description: A recent college graduate who has always been known as that responsible, career-driven, and sometimes uptight guy. Deep down, he’s a softy who just loves budgeting and learning, trying new things, and is super honest and loyal to his friends.
SHANNARY NGUYỄN
Age: 17
Ethnicity: Half Vietnamese-Cambodian
Description: An A+ High School Junior born and raised in Philly – super fun, outgoing and confident. Having had to move to the suburbs mid-year of her junior year, she struggles to fit in. Shannary is Samara’s younger sister. ***Huge plus if you know Vietnamese***
AN NGUYỄN
Age: 51 years old
Ethnicity: Vietnamese
Description: An immigrant mother who fled her home country to seek better opportunities for herself and her children. Although she can have a huge ego, she’s super hard working and always puts her children first. ***MUST SPEAK VIETNAMESE.***
KEELA TRẦN
Age: 24
Ethnicity: Vietnamese
Description: Working at a high-tech company, Keela is often praised by her family on her huge accomplishment and is often seen as “the golden child” of the family. She is very hardworking, caring and a huge people pleaser who is trying to balance her “Asianness” at a very white/male-dominated company. Keela is Samara’s cousin.