Angélique Molina and Abraham Troen Join USC’s SoCal VoCals in Pursuit of Another National Title — and Beyond Graduation

Angelique Molina and Abraham Troen follow USC’s SoCal VoCals as they chase another national title — and face what comes next after graduation.

The directors of Just Sing, Angelique Molina and Abraham Troen, were embedded with the SoCal VoCals during the 2022-2023 school year, and we get to know some of their subjects quite well.

In their documentary, Molina and Troen capture the USC a cappella group’s pursuit of a record sixth national collegiate championship, highlighting the intense rehearsals, personal sacrifices, and emotional stakes involved in competing at the highest level of collegiate a cappella.

The film explores how the SoCal VoCals balance their ambitions with the pressures of impending graduation, family expectations, and the uncertainty of life after college, particularly for students who are music majors pursuing careers in the industry.

As one interview subject notes early in the documentary, “Pitch Perfect made a cappella cool,” but for the VoCals, the experience is about far more than performance — It’s a deeply personal journey marked by dedication, cultural legacy, and the search for identity beyond the stage.

Molina and Troen emphasize the group’s diversity, noting that this iteration of the SoCal VoCals is the most diverse in the group’s history, which adds another layer of expectation from immigrant parents who have invested heavily in their children’s education and artistic development.

The documentary does not shy away from the challenges the students face, including long rehearsal hours, nerves before competition, and quiet moments of doubt about what comes next after graduation, all while showcasing the joy and camaraderie that sustain them throughout the season.

Through close access to rehearsals, backstage interactions, and personal interviews, the filmmakers present a nuanced portrait of young artists navigating ambition, responsibility, and the bittersweet transition from student life to professional aspirations.

The soundtrack features pop arrangements performed by the VoCals, underscoring the energy and emotional resonance of their performances, which range from high-energy competition numbers to intimate, reflective moments.

Just Sing premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Festival as a Spotlight+ feature, running 93 minutes in English with English subtitles, and has since been screened at events such as the Milwaukee Film Dialogues Documentary Festival.

Abraham Troen and Angelique Molina have spoken about their inspiration for the project, citing a desire to move beyond the Hollywood portrayal of a cappella and instead document the real-world experiences of students who treat the art form as both a passion and a potential career path.

As Troen explained in interviews, the idea originated from their producer, Sarah Thomson, who suggested following a real-life counterpart to the fictional world depicted in Pitch Perfect, leading them to the SoCal VoCals and their pursuit of excellence in the Varsity Vocal’s International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA).

The filmmakers emphasized that music was a shared personal connection, making the project a natural fit, and that their time with the group allowed them to witness not only the triumphs but also the vulnerabilities of young artists on the verge of adulthood.

By focusing on the human stories behind the performances, Just Sing offers a compelling counterpoint to glossy portrayals of collegiate a cappella, instead presenting a heartfelt, authentic look at what it means to chase a dream while preparing for life beyond it.

The documentary continues to screen at festivals and special events, drawing attention for its emotional depth, musical authenticity, and intimate portrayal of a generation of artists balancing ambition with uncertainty.