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Starring Keir Gilchrist, Lucy Hale, Francesca Eastwood, and comedy legend Jim Gaffigan, Running On Empty is a delightfully quirky, somewhat dark romantic comedy that explores the joys of embracing life to the fullest.
Mortimer, an eccentric yet intelligent young man, leads a monotonous life in California’s San Fernando Valley until life-changing news shakes up his world. Motivated to seize every moment, Mort embarks on an adventurous journey to find meaning in his life and, in the process, meets the girl of his dreams. Running On Empty releases in theaters on August 9, 2024, and should appear on VOD on August 27, 2024.
Interview with ‘Running On Empty’ Director Daniel André
- VENTS: So, how did your background in digital cinema and mastering shape your approach to directing and producing films?
Daniel André: I think it had a really good impact. Working on those films for IMAX gave me a great baseline for storytelling, particularly for studio movies. I’ve always been a fan of smaller indie films, and sometimes indie filmmakers can resist diving into studio stuff because we just want to do our art. But really, that’s the master class of cinema. It’s like, you have to understand the rules and master them before you can break them.
- VENTS: What was the inspiration behind Running on Empty? How did you come up with the idea for this quirky romantic comedy?
Daniel André: The idea came from a few different things. Years ago, I read about these “extreme funerals” where people would have their loved ones posed doing what they loved in life. That stuck with me, especially because when I was 10, I went to my grandfather’s funeral, and it was pretty traumatic. Death is very taboo in U.S. culture, and we deal with it in a kind of creepy way. Some might say the adventure funerals are creepy, but to me, they’re far less creepy and more of a celebration of life.
Casting Running on Empty
- VENTS: Was this movie influenced by Harold and Maude? It’s not identical, but I wonder if you’re familiar with that film.
Daniel André: Absolutely, I love that movie. It wasn’t a direct inspiration, but I definitely feel it probably crept in there subconsciously.
- VENTS: What was the casting process like, and how was it working with Lucy Hale and Jim Gaffigan?
Daniel André: It was great. Honestly, for my first feature, I couldn’t have lucked out more with my cast and crew. You often hear people say filming was amazing, but this time it really was. It felt like being at summer camp and making cool stuff with your friends all day.
What Message Does Running on Empty Convey?
- VENTS: That sounds like a good time. Running on Empty focuses on celebrating life and living it to the fullest. What message do you hope audiences take away from the film?
Daniel André: I hope they realize that we have a finite amount of time on this planet. We spend so much time on busy work like shopping for a new TV or browsing YouTube, but we only have a small period to reflect on the meaning of life. And I think the meaning of life is life itself—enjoying it and our relationships with others. I hope the film sparks a more open conversation about life and death.
- VENTS: I’ve seen that you’re a music producer. How do you incorporate your musical background into your filmmaking process?
Daniel André: I think they’re actually similar in a way—it’s all about structure. Filmmaking is the ultimate art medium because you can incorporate all other kinds of art into it. What helped me the most as a filmmaker was starting in theater. Even though I wanted to be in TV and movies, doing plays for years instilled a work ethic and sense of collaboration that has been invaluable as a director.
- VENTS: Theater also has moments where you have to adjust if things don’t go as planned.
Daniel André: Absolutely, especially in low-budget films. Even bigger studios want to change the artistic vision sometimes, but I love sticking to a more indie style because you have more creative freedom, even if there’s less money.
- VENTS: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while making this movie, and how did you overcome them?
Daniel André: The biggest challenge was probably myself. I had to learn to separate myself from the script and focus on what the script could offer others. Once I embraced the collaborative process, it solved most of the problems.
Memorable Moment
9. VENTS: Were there any memorable moments or behind-the-scenes stories from Running on Empty?
Daniel André: Yes, there’s one in particular. In the scene where Reese’s character shows up at Mortimer’s house demanding money, Rhys Coiro actually busted the door in. You hear a crack and see some broken drywall—that wasn’t post-production, it actually happened. Keir Gilchrist was freaking out, wondering if the door was going to hit him. But we fixed it, and everything was fine.
- VENTS: What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers?
Daniel André: You have to realize that making films isn’t just about you. It’s a collaboration, so focus on what your project offers other creatives, like actors and department heads. Once you take yourself out of the equation and focus on the story and the team, things get a lot easier.
- VENTS: What inspired you to pursue a career in filmmaking?
Daniel André: I knew this is what I wanted to do since I was five years old. I started acting when I was five and later, when I was 10, we got a camcorder, and I started making my own movies. It’s something I’ve always known.
