Both Alejandro Márquez Vela (director) and Manuel García-Rulfo (actor) were born in the city of Guadalajara; they became friends outside of the film industry long before ever working together on set.
Manuel García-Rulfo and Briana Evigan had recently worked together on the set of "From Dusk Till Dawn"; and when Manuel read the script, he recommended Briana to Alejandro saying that "Briana was exactly like the character in real life".