According to director Sean Baker, Simon Rex was offered the role over the phone after having been sent the script and agreed, saying that he would fly to Texas in three days. Three days later Rex arrived in Texas having memorized all of his - very long - lines.
Simon Rex accepted the role directly from director Sean Baker, who does not like to deal with agents. Rex's agent did not know he was involved in the film until after he completed filming.
Suzanna Son's first day on set involved being totally nude and shooting the film's most intimate scenes, in which she has sex with Simon Rex and sings a song. It was her first career nudity. Son joked in an interview that it was a great way to break the ice.
Before rising to prominence as a VJ and actor in the 1990s, Simon Rex got his start filming solo pornographic videos under the alias "Sebastian."
Cast member Brittney Rodriguez was spotted by director Sean Baker while she was walking her chihuahua and he was so impressed by her appearance that he offered her a role on the spot.