Up Your Geek: Spotlight: Filmmaker Daniel André Talks “RUNNING ON EMPTY”

We had the opportunity to interview Daniel André, the filmmaker behind Running on Empty, to discuss the inspiration, challenges, and unique aspects of his latest project. As the release date approaches, Daniel is filled with a mix of excitement and anticipation. Having embarked on a long journey to bring this film to life, he is eager to see the audience’s reaction and hopes they enjoy it as much as he and his team enjoyed making it.

The inspiration behind Running on Empty stems from a combination of personal experiences and intriguing concepts. Daniel was particularly fascinated by the idea of extreme funerals—real events where people celebrate their loved ones in unique ways, such as placing them on their motorcycle. This concept, which he calls adventure funerals in the film, coupled with his own experiences at his grandfather’s funeral, led him to explore how different cultures celebrate life and death more openly and joyously.

The character of Mortimer, played by Keir Gilchrist, is a blend of people Daniel has known and characters he has seen in cinema. Mortimer is someone for whom death is completely normal, almost unfazed by it. Keir Gilchrist, known for his roles in It Follows and Atypical, was perfect for Mortimer. Daniel wanted his cast to bring their own ideas to elevate the characters beyond what was on the page, and Keir did just that.

Every film has its unique challenges, and Running on Empty was no exception. Daniel likens the filmmaking process to climbing a mountain, only to find another mountain at the top. However, he feels blessed with this project, describing it as a group of creative friends going off to summer camp to make a movie. The smoothness of the shoot, especially for a first-time writer-director, was a rare and beautiful experience.

The casting process for Running on Empty was pivotal. Once Keir was on board, other actors like Lucy Hale and Jim Gaffigan followed. Daniel emphasized that everyone brought their A-game, and while time and pacing constraints meant leaving some great material out, the cast’s contributions were truly amazing.

One particularly memorable moment from the set involved Reese Coiro, who plays Simon. During a scene where Simon bangs on Mortimer’s door, Reese broke the door frame, which made it into the movie. Keir’s genuine reaction to the door breaking added an extra layer of authenticity to the intense scene.

Running on Empty is described as a quirky romantic comedy about celebrating life. Daniel hopes audiences see the importance of living fully and appreciating every moment. He wants viewers to reflect on what they would do if they knew their time was limited and to grab life by the horns and enjoy it while it lasts.

Balancing comedy, dark comedy, and romance was a fine line for Daniel. He and his team did their best to balance these elements, and he believes audiences will appreciate this mix once they see the film.

Looking ahead, Daniel is already working on his next projects. One is The Last Will, a dark comedy and follow-up to Running on Empty, and the other is Cured, a passion project based on Lol Tolhurst’s memoir. Tolhurst, a founding member of The Cure, has been a significant influence on Daniel, and he is excited to bring this project to life.

Running on Empty is set to hit theaters on August 9th and will be available on digital and on-demand platforms on August 27th. Be sure to check it out! If you enjoyed this insight into the film and Daniel André’s creative process, follow us on social media and subscribe to Up Your Geek for more exciting content and interviews with your favorite creators and stars. Until next time, keep your geek flags flying high!

Watch the full interview below: