Last year saw Dylan Hoffman in his first film role playing Andy Goldfarb in the Netflix release of You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah. Dylan works closely with a cast including Sunny Sandler (as Stacy Friedman), Samantha Lorraine (as Lydia Rodriguez Katz) and Adam Sandler (as Danny Friedman, who also produced the film), and he was directed by Sammi Cohen. During his acting career so far, Dylan booked his first screen role in a commercial, and in 2020, just before the COVID pandemic, he played Cody in episodes of Next. Answering our questions, Dylan talks about being in the cast of Netflix film You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, playing Andy Goldfarb in the release and working on episodes of Next before the pandemic.

How would you describe your character Andy Goldfarb in the Netflix film You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah and what was he like to play?

I feel like two simple words to describe Andy Goldfarb are ANDY GOLDFARB. He’s a class act. Stereotypical “popular guy”, not super smart or very aware of himself or others. He’s sort of careless and aloof. Andy is always just trying to have a fun time and doesn’t get that he’s always kind of being perceived as an idiot. I loved playing the role of Andy. It was a lot of fun and very freeing to play a character that in many ways is opposite of me and my personality in real life.

Can you tell us about the film and how was it finding out you’d booked the role of Andy?

You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah is a wonderful coming of age story that is really touching and relatable in many ways. It is a story about two best friends preparing to celebrate their dream Bat Mitzvahs, while trying to get the attention of the same boy all while forgetting what is truly important – their lifelong friendship. Of course, nothing goes according to plan. It is a family film full of good lessons and I think everyone can relate to the ups and downs of middle school and all the drama that surrounds it. This movie is impactful. It will definitely make you laugh, kind of cringe at times, and maybe even cry. If you haven’t already seen it, definitely go watch You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah on Netflix.

When I first found out that I booked the role of Andy it was crazy. I was so excited. So was my family. It was the best feeling in the world. Learning that I was actually going to be working with Adam Sandler and his team was a dream come true. The process in casting actually went on for several weeks with Zoom callbacks, several directors sessions, and then chemistry reads with Sunny (Sandler). It was a really fun process, but I had no idea I would actually book the role. It was amazing when I got the news that I was indeed going to play Andy Goldfarb.

How was it reading the script for the first time and did you have a favourite scene to film?

Reading the script for the first time was super fun! From the start, I knew that I definitely loved the material. I was fortunate to have received the script before I had my first chemistry read with Sunny Sandler. But my mom actually borrowed the book, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah by Fiona Rosenbloom from our local library when I first got the audition. Even though the screenplay is quite a bit different, the book really helped me to have an idea of what the structure of the story and characters of You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah might be like before I actually saw the whole script.

It’s honestly really tough to pick my favourite scene that we filmed because we were just having a great time on set no matter what. Working with this entire cast was a blast every day. I really loved the scenes we filmed in the retirement home but I also really liked shooting the party scenes because they were on massive sets with tons of moving parts and lots of different
characters. Many of us got to work together on these big party days which was the most fun. We filmed one of these scenes inside of a famous hotel in Toronto over several days. We had so much fun shooting this. You might remember seeing me making a TikTok of jumping on the inflatable jousting game knocking kids down left and right in this scene, lol. Very… Andy Goldfarb.

What was it like working alongside the rest of the cast, which includes Sunny Sandler as Stacy Friedman and Samantha Lorraine as Lydia Rodriguez Katz?

It was GREAT! We had a blast together. From the start we definitely had a lot of camaraderie as a group. We all really got close spending so much time together. What I didn’t realise before we left Chicago for filming is that we’d actually get a few days off of work and lots of time together after work to run around the rec room and explore all of Toronto. Getting to experience the fun and beauty of it all with my new friends and castmates was the absolute best. I am so grateful to have made incredible lasting friendships and memories to keep close to my heart forever from my time on this film.

How did you find the experience on set and being directed by Sammi Cohen?

Like I mentioned before, working on this set was a blast 24/7. I’m not kidding. We had so much fun together. Whether it was a huge Bat Mitzvah scene or a more quiet intimate moment on set, we were likely almost always laughing together. Sammi Cohen, our amazing fearless leader and director is one of the most creative, inspiring, and beautiful humans I have ever met. They provided an environment and vision on set where we felt seen and encouraged, valued, and supported always. Even on the hardest, longest days, Sammi has no quit. Their patience, love, passion, enthusiasm and creativity was infinite. Sammi is a total badass. I am so grateful to have gotten to work with Sammi and hope to again in the near future.

How has it been seeing the response to the film so far and how did you feel watching You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah when it was released?

The response to the film has been pretty crazy. It’s definitely been a bit of a wild ride. I’m super happy that people have enjoyed it and been able to connect with the film. I love the fans!!! It is a little weird when you’re scrolling on TikTok, which I probably do a little too much… then seeing an edit of yourself though. It’s funny… since I was little, aside from playing sports, and being a kid, acting is all I’ve ever really wanted do, so I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the crazy fact that really big dreams can and do come true.

Seeing the fantastic response to the film has been overwhelmingly great!! Seeing the film for the first time was crazy!!! To be honest, I don’t like watching myself on screen at all. It’s super weird. I think a lot of actors may feel that way. But to see us as a collective doing our thing having the best summer ever was truly amazing. I’m so proud of the work we all did together.

What are some of your favourite highlights from your time filming as Andy Goldfarb?

Some of the highlights of my time filming the role of Andy Goldfarb, aside from working with and having adventures on and off set with some of the best in the business, legendary comedians, true professionals and wonderful new friends, was really getting to improvise with my character. I loved that when we started a scene that we got to try a few different ways to play it and that it was totally cool to ad-lib. There are some really funny moments… when I was playing basketball haphazardly around an elderly man and his orderly in the retirement home scene or when I did wheelies with my grandma in her wheelchair. Those were definitely favourite highlights.

In 2020, you played Cody in episodes of Next, what was the series like to be part of?

I was 11 years old and in 7th grade in 2020. It was right before COVID-19 hit that I filmed my episodes on Next. In fact, it was just a few days after we wrapped that the world shut down. And the show was about AI taking over, so that was weird timing.

Working on Next was my first time on a network television show. I loved every second of it. Adam Arkin was our incredible director and he and Michael Mosley, the award-winning actor who plays my father in the show, really treated me like family and I was still pretty little so it was especially impactful. The material we were doing in those scenes was pretty intense and emotional. It wasn’t light work for anyone. The whole cast and crew were so supportive of each other and helped me to feel totally comfortable. I could not be more grateful for that being my first experience in the big leagues.

Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into it?

Let’s start from the beginning… Since I was around two years old, I have loved performing. Whether it was dancing, singing, playing instruments, doing impressions or pretending to be a superhero, I was always creating a story somewhere if anyone wanted to watch me perform or listen. My dad is a professional artist. My mom is an actor too. So, I’ve always been encouraged to be creative and have been around a lot of other amazing artists who have been very encouraging and inspiring on my journey so far.

My first professional acting job was a commercial for a health care clinic in Wisconsin when I was nine. It was the end of winter and a bit chilly out but they made it feel like summer and I got to ride my skateboard in that commercial which was the best part! That day was extra special. I really knew I wanted to continue on my acting journey after that and did a few more commercials and print gigs before I ultimately landed an agent and management team. Though, once I had representation, I really began taking things seriously and started investing in more training, and coaching by taking on-camera classes and going to film camp, and preparing for auditions regularly.

But my love for acting, my passion… it comes from within. It’s innate. After hundreds of auditions, some do want to give up, but not everyone, not me. I love the craft. I love the work. And especially as I’m getting older I am realising how profoundly I appreciate the art of acting, art of filmmaking and the art of cinema. Every part of it, I love.

Do you have any favourite films and TV shows to watch?

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is an all-time favourite movie that I rewatch a lot. I’m really into the 80s and 90s genres right now. I just rewatched the Stranger Things series too. I have so many favourite movies and TV shows though. I recently started a list on Letterboxd so I could keep better track of what I’m watching and share with friends.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I’m 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. In addition to being an actor, I’ve been an athlete my whole life. I currently play football and am on my high school track and field team. I absolutely love film, fashion, photography, and design too. Thrifting vintage clothes with friends is my favourite weekend activity. I recently got to attend the Private Policy show at NY Fashion Week which has literally always been a dream of mine. I love watching movies, listening to music, and spending time with my dogs, my friends and my family the most.

Is there anything you enjoy most about acting on screen?

What I enjoy most about acting on screen is being present and in a place where you are completely centered and know and trust yourself enough to dive deep and to fall into the possibilities of being a totally different personality. It’s an indescribable feeling. I love the ability of being able to transform into something that I’m not. I think in order to do that well you really need to learn how to feel comfortable with yourself and be willing to be vulnerable. I’ve been working a lot on that recently and I hope it’ll make me a better person and a better actor.

Have you been given any advice over your time as an actor so far that has stuck with you?

Yes! I was just having this discussion with a fellow actor friend and our conversation really stuck with me especially because I have been doing a lot of personal growth recently. We all go through our own struggles and we were both sharing our own versions of ups and downs at the moment with each other and ultimately what we were both most inspired by was not necessarily what each other is currently achieving but by what each other is currently overcoming. I was reminded again in that conversation that knowing and trusting myself and my support system and being centered physically, mentally, and spiritually are all very important parts of my foundation as a person and as an actor.

What are you hoping the next year brings for you and do you have any upcoming acting projects that you can tell us about?

2024 is a big year for me. I turn 16 this summer. I’m pretty hopeful that I’ll be getting my drivers license on my birthday and I’m really excited about that. I’m also very hopeful to travel a bunch and see friends and also go to NYFW again in the fall. I’m hopeful for some of my favourite projects to turn into things that I get to be a part of. Stay tuned for what’s coming next!!

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