High school seniors face pressure to choose between following artistic dreams or pursuing the expected path of a college degree.

SYNOPSIS:

BENNETT WILSON knows garage bands have a short self life, believes attracting the attention of industry professionals is the quickest way to validate his talent and land a music deal before it’s too late. His best friend and lead guitarist, CAIN, simply seeks the freedom that comes from touring on the road. Bennett’s love interest, SHILOH, is an angry cheerleader thanks to her critical mother and best friend/cheer captain, BRIANNA; neither one approve of her desire to pursue choreography. Image conscious and focused on a broadcasting career, Brianna, warns Shiloh to stay away from a ‘wanna-be rocker’ like Bennett. JASON, semi-star quarterback, is jealous of Bennett’s ‘emo dweeb’ aspirations, vents his frustration over his own poor performances on the football field on Bennett, calling his band ‘garage garbage’ in front of their peers.

Bennett’s band is selected to play at a local 'Battle of the Bands' concert hosting a record label scout. Not comfortable in crowds, Bennett makes arrangements to have their first live performance at Karman High as a warm up to the big event. Meanwhile, feeling abandoned by Shiloh and seeking revenge, Brianna promises Shiloh’s tech genius brother, MATT, a date with his sophomore crush, AMBER, if he’ll ‘erase’ the band with a fog machine when they play at school. Matt sees Amber’s adorable smile aimed his way, agrees. One minute into the performance, the band disappears, ending the show. Shiloh warns Brianna to stay away from Bennett and his band, calls her a ‘poser.’ Brianna retaliates, tells Matt he has to mess up the band’s sound equipment at the Battle of the Bands concert, or she’ll make sure Amber dumps him. At cheer practice, Brianna gives Shiloh an ultimatum, break up with Bennett or be kicked off the team. Shiloh throws her pom-poms at Brianna’s feet, walks away. At a local cafe, Shiloh tells Bennett she’s had it with ‘haters’, is ready to give up her dream of going to Elon for choreography. Bennett encourages her to send in an application and ‘keep fighting for what you want.' Shiloh responds by telling Bennett his drummer quit because of Brianna.

Bennett's mother wants Bennett to be realistic when it comes to his band, reminds him of the opportunities that will be available to him with a music degree. Bennett puts off opening university notification letters until the night before Battle of the Bands; discovers he's been accepted to all of them, tells Cain at rehearsal. Cain warns Bennett that college teaches everyone the same shit, tells him he has inherent talent, reminds him they agreed to tour for a year. Bennett reveals he hasn't told his parents yet, wants to know what happens if they tour and don’t get any traction. Blindsided by Bennett’s doubt, Cain tells him, “We’re the traction.” Cain doesn’t tell Bennett that his father is locking him out of the house after he graduates.

On the day of the Battle of the Band’s concert, Jason’s best friend Troy/star quarterback, goes down hard with a possible concussion during a scrimmage, prompting Jason’s father to voice his relief over one less player to compete for the schools’s sports scholarship. Jason calls his Dad a “Dick,” shows up drunk at the concert, tells Bennett, “You want this, you're gonna have to get your ass kicked around like everyone else.” Bennett and Cain play fast surf rock on guitars. The Hyde Park Crowd cheers. Meanwhile, Shiloh is at home, unable to witness more heartache for Bennett if things don’t work out. Shiloh's mother tells her she sent out college applications for a business degree behind her back. Shiloh calls her mom out for making her afraid to pursue what matters to her. The admission spoken out loud is a revelation for Shiloh.

Backstage at Battle of the Bands, Matt has shown up to ‘protect’ the band, not destroy it. Desperate, Brianna yanks the speaker cable out of Matt’s computer. The drum track stops. Bennett stops playing. Cain stops playing. The crowd stops dancing. The Music Scout, not impressed, exits. Jason baits Cain to fight. The Park Manger intervenes, tells Cain he doesn't want any trouble, tells the Crowd the show is over. Cain asks for another chance. The Park Manger refuses, tells Cain he used to be a roadie, saw bands screw up all the time, but they never stopped playing. Bennett watches the Music Scout enter his car in the parking lot, is upset they lost their chance to impress someone who could have gotten them out of the garage. Cain tells Bennett not to sweat it, “I'm sure you'll impress your professors.” Cain retrieves his guitar case, tells Bennett he’s going to hit the road solo and busk on the street for anyone who will listen to their songs, do ‘some truth seeking along the way.’ Cain points to the Sharpie message written on Bennett's guitar, Dare to seek the life you want with truth and a courageous heart. Bennett tells Cain he doesn’t want to learn the same shit as everyone else, asks him if he’s ready to work at coffee shops and play at dive bars until they book some cool spots to tour. Cain’s grin says it all.

Shiloh arrives, apologizes for not being there earlier. Bennett helps her on stage, sings ‘Shiloh’s Song,’ to her. The Music Scout stops his car to listen. The Park Crowd goes wild. Jason struggles to remove his letterman jacket in the parking lot, listens to the band, is reluctantly impressed. The Music Scout returns to the stage, tells Bennett and Cain he wants to to hear what they can do in a professional recording studio. Shiloh confronts Brianna, is surprised when her BFF cries. Brianna accuses Shiloh of replacing her with Bennett, wipes away smeared makeup, ruins her ‘perfect’ image. Shiloh reassures Brianna she still cares, invites her to the band’s next rehearsal. Appalled over the idea of being seen in a garage, Brianna suggests they record the choreography video Shiloh needs to apply to Elon. Shiloh tells Bennett the news. Excited about their futures, Bennett sings ‘Do You Believe in Magic’ to Shiloh. Cain joins in, plays a cool surf rock rendition on his guitar. Shiloh dances, joyfully. The Park Crowd cheers them on.

KARMA HIGH