By Tanisha Naik
You may have seen Senior Susan Googe playing various roles in many Lovett School plays. Now she is bringing her talents to the big screen in the film Cheat Codes, where she plays a student who must navigate the pressures of high school.
The film follows a group of students who turn to a mysterious figure known as “The Wizard,” who somehow has all the answers to every assignment and test. “It’s about why each student has to call the Wizard to cheat,” Susan said. “Each scene focuses on a different person and their motivation.”
The project came together through an acting studio where Susan takes classes. “Our teacher was the director, and everyone in the class was part of it,” she said.
Filming took place between January and late April. Luckily, each actor’s filming time was short, making it very manageable in terms of balancing school and her participation in the school play. “Every character just had one scene,” she explained. “I only shot for about three or four days. You learn your scene with your partner, and then you go.”
Despite the short shoot, the experience left a big impact. “My favorite part was working with my scene partner, who is one of my friends,” Susan said. “It was fun to talk about the scene and bring it to life together.”
The team drew inspiration from well-known high school films like The Breakfast Club and John Tucker Must Die to give Cheat Codes a nostalgic yet fresh tone.
When asked about her approach to acting, Susan emphasized the importance of authenticity. “It seems more real if you put yourself into it,” she said. “Becoming the character, but also bringing aspects of yourself, makes it more natural.”
More than just acting, she learned about different camera techniques.
Her passion for acting goes back to middle school. “I used to be all about musical theater,” she recalled. “But once I started high school, I got more into TV and film, and I’ve stuck with it.”
As for the future, she hopes to keep pursuing her passion. “I definitely want to keep working and doing stuff like this,” she said with a smile. “It’s something I love.”‘
