By FilmInk Staff
The up-and-coming filmmaker talks about his short film Run, Baby, which recently premiered at Monster Fest.
This is a very bold and ambitious short film, especially for a debut feature. What inspired you to write this story?
“The inspiration for Run, Baby came from a desire to explore the complexities of motherhood and family dynamics. I wanted to find out what happens when a woman feels trapped and unsupported in her role as a mother and considers leaving her mother.
“I was inspired by 70s movies like ‘Rosemary’s Baby,’ especially the ones that didn’t have the typical happy ending. I was inspired by the gray area of motherhood, of always being perfect. I wanted to explore the idea that you can’t.
“The Handyman character was inspired by my personal experience with a persistent handyman who wouldn’t leave the house. I thought this would be an interesting obstacle for a woman seeking escape.
“The film also reflects my observations of young couples navigating child-rearing and cultural expectations. Coming from an Italian immigrant background, I feel the pressure of achieving stability through homeownership and traditional family roles. I wanted to explore.
“The house in the film is almost a character itself, representing a surface of perfection that masks the reality of a difficult relationship.Throughout this story, I realized that I had never seen anything like what I had observed in my own parents. Similarly, I wanted to analyze how people lose themselves in roles they did not choose.”
What was the process like from script to screen? How did you gather the crew, raise the money, and get it done?
“Once I presented the script to producer Rachel Murrow, the process was very smooth. She connected me with cinematographer Amy Deller (left), and we hit it off right away. From there, the staff I’m very grateful that I was able to grow and bring the team together. Everyone had such a collaborative energy on set. Even in post-production, I had Crayon do the coloring for me. On Sound mixed the sound.
“We raised money through the Australian Cultural Fund, which definitely raised the profile of the film and helped with post-production costs, but this project was largely self-funded.”
Did anything change from the script to the finished film? Was there anything that changed on set or during editing?
“Yes, especially what I now call rotation. When a handyman starts requesting certain items (drinks, food, etc.) to feed himself, I initially go far with short cuts and a fast pace. I had written it in a comedic style, but during pre-production, while working with my cinematographer, Amy, I wanted to portray the passage of time and its dizzying and spiraling nature, with a slow, eerie progression. I decided to create the feeling of being on a merry-go-round and what is happening to the main character, Elena.
“Interestingly, with ‘Run Baby,’ both Amy and I agreed that the film had its own soul. During post-production, my editor and I worked together to create a world of rotation and a sense of loss of control. In , we get a glimpse of a flashback of the moment that led Elena to make the decision to run away, and find herself not satisfied with the marriage and role that consumed her, as if the impact of that was on her mind. The armor she wore to survive is stripped away, and she burns it down as soon as she finishes spinning.
“Our sound design and composer were essential to reinforcing the very expressionistic elements of this film.
“Viewers see this mysterious woman trying to escape, but this handyman appears as a giant obstacle and begins to put pressure on Elena’s nerves. There are elements that make us question whether this is a manifestation of
How has your experience as an actor influenced your directorial style?
“Being an actor allows me to hold space for the actors I work with. I find that potential barriers disappear right from the start. As a director, communication is just as important as language. And this is something I understand on a cellular level. My background is a huge asset when collaborating with actors. I have a deep understanding of how to interpret their needs. . Even if the actor is non-verbal, read the behavior and find ways to support individual requirements.
“For example, for ‘Run, Baby,’ Alessandra and Adam, who have a background in theater, incorporated the rehearsal process and exploration to seamlessly execute a 360-degree continuous shot. They have also been trained in improvisation. So I have a level of play that is acceptable to me. That’s why “rehearsal” is so important to me and is probably the determining factor of my process and my style as a director. I love providing space for spontaneity and discovery in each moment, and this is what I do as an actor as well. ”
What was the biggest lesson you learned from making your debut short film?
“The biggest lesson I learned was to make sure everyone on set felt valued and knew how important they were. Collaboration is key. Every day on set, no matter what, my producer Rachel Murrow and I made sure everyone was welcomed and knew everyone’s name in order to create something magical on screen. , it takes a village and a community. I really feel that way. I’m also completely open to ideas and suggestions. Creating an environment where people feel supported and safe, so there’s no need for egos or reservations. It turns out I’m not precious, and I’m working with such talented people for one main goal: to learn about myself and visually create this vivid story. I learned how energizing it is to be on set together.”
What do you plan to do next as a writer, director, and actor?
“I’m currently working on two short films, one that specifically explores family dynamics and the lies we tell each other. It’s definitely a dark comedy, and it’s called ‘Run, Baby.’ The other explores the relationship between a woman and a child from different worlds and the importance of connection when life doesn’t seem to be going well. I’m developing a feature inspired by a traumatic event I experienced. I also just finished filming my second feature film, Westgate, directed by Adrian Ortega, in which I play the main character, Netta!”
