DirectorAndrea Arnoldwanted to work with unknown actors. She would often approach teenagers on the street whom she thought would be good for the movie, and hold impromptu auditions in parking lots.
Filmed in chronological order. Much of the dialogue was improvised.
When Sasha Lane was approached on the beach in Panama City, her friend with her thought they were being scouted for porn, and walked away. Then realizing that was not the intent; she ended up cast as the lead.
Partly inspired by a 2007 New York Times article about the on-the-road existence of the "mag crew" kids.