An ode to director’s father’s life journey of perseverance in Short Cut ‘A Boy’s Dream’

Cal Poly Short Cut “A Boy’s Dream” draws inspiration from the life journey of writer, editor and director Junior Rojas’ own father. The film follows 16-year-old José, who dreams of becoming a chef but faces cultural, familial and societal obstacles along the way. 

Working directly alongside Rojas was Makayla Pitts, the film’s cinematographer and co-producer. Mia Toralba served as sound technician and grip support, while Travis Royal took on the film’s lighting and assisted with grip. The team of four ISLA 341 classmates united under Rojas’ vision — trusting each other throughout the process to create a finished product that purposefully touches on real-world conversations. 

At its core, the film tells of perseverance oriented around Rojas’ observations around his father’s experience immigrating to the United States to build a better life for his family, despite pushback from his father (the director’s grandfather).

Authenticity remained a priority throughout production. The crew was committed to preserving the story’s biopic roots and paying homage to Rojas’ father, seeking out actors who could adequately reflect the Hispanic cultural experiences at the narrative’s center. Family and friends stepped into several acting roles, helping to maintain the script’s direction while additionally making the project all the more meaningful. 

“It’s just such a heartfelt story, especially since it’s about Junior’s family,” Pitts said. “And then working with [his] family members as well… you can feel the love, and I was really excited to be a part of it.” 

The film’s locations carry real significance, too. Scenes were filmed at Rojas’ father’s restaurant, Fruitiland, his grandfather’s mechanic shop and his family home, grounding the story in the very places that inspired it to be told. 

“For me, this is more than just a class project. This is a passion project, this is what I want to do with my life,” Rojas said. 

That sense of passion shaped every aspect of production, from the story itself to the visual language used to convey it on-screen. Drawing inspiration from Mexican culture, the filmmakers embraced warm color palettes, vibrant imagery and intimate family spaces to create a “homey” sense of familiarity. These warm moments contrast with the intentional darkness of more serious scenes that reflect José’s internal and external struggles, specifically those with his father, Luis. 

Ultimately, the filmmakers hope that audiences see more than a story about cooking or family conflict. “A Boy’s Dream” offers a message to all about remaining true to yourself, honoring your roots and being empowered to “rise above.”