He began his film career in 2012 playing Neckbone in Jeff Nichols' Mud, with Matthew McConaughey and Tye Sheridan. The director wanted to find a young actor locally for the part, and had casting notices placed in regional newspapers. Coming across one of them, Lofland's mother recognized that her son fit every adjective of Neck's personality description, as well as bringing the boating and cycle riding experience for which Nichols was looking. Lofland sent in an application, and was called in to read for the casting director in Little Rock. Less than three weeks after his mother saw the open casting call in the paper, Lofland took his first plane flight to Austin to audition for Nichols and producer Sarah Greene. He was offered the role and within a month found himself on location with a full movie crew.[3]
