Filmmaker Joe Pernice (in Yankees hat) discusses a scene while working with his film crew in a bedroom of his family’s home in Marlboro. MARLBORO — During the late afternoon of Oct. 21, the sun began its descent behind the rich foliage that adorns Ryan Road and the residential Okeefe Way in Marlboro. With a strict production timeline in place, the cast and crew of the film “Running on Empty” raced to shoot a pivotal scene before nightfall.
Joe Pernice, the 26-year-old writer, director and producer of the feature film, stood confident and determined outside his family’s Marlboro home. He wanted to wrap the scene, which depicts the first encounter between main characters Junior and Jenny, after heavy rains drowned the crew’s attempt.
Several takes soon satisfied Pernice, with just enough time to capture a few minutes of additional footage at the Golden Seas Chinese restaurant.
Joe Pernice (r), the writer, director and producer of “Running on Empty,” ponders a scene with actor Steve Schirripa during an Oct. 26 film shoot at Lake Topanemus Park, Freehold Township. GABRIELLA LOUTFI “Running on Empty” tells the story of Junior, a once-celebrated track star whose depression birthed an unhealthy taste for Xanax, and his climb back to normalcy. Behind his revival stands Jenny, a promising runner with dreams of medical school, who meets an intoxicated Junior when he hits her with his car.
Junior, played by “All My Children” star Eric Nelsen, eventually strikes a romance with Jenny, played by Courtney Baxter, as they work to win a marathon with a large cash prize in the drama-comedy.
“Anyone can fall into a slump, but they can get up,” Pernice said later in the evening as his 20-plus-person team waited for a late lunch. “It’s not about the race. It’s that anyone can get their life back on track.”
The movie could appeal to a large audience through its familiar themes, he said. The themes include the absurdity of smalltown rumors, life after one’s glory days, and the struggle of the underdog, Pernice said.
While the story is not based on his life, Pernice knows well the rush that accompanies the pursuit of a major goal. The New York University graduate left a stable gig with Robert DeNiro’s Tribeca Productions earlier this year for a chance to etch his name in the mainstream movie industry through “Running on Empty.”
The young filmmaker started the script in January and completed the final draft in June, with the help of Baxter, now 20, Pernice said. He steadily plowed through the casting, financing and pre-production stages during the summer. He said he built a budget just under $100,000 and gathered support from former schoolmates, family members, and Baxter and Nelsen, both of whom came on as producers.
“From the very first meeting, Joe said we would film this in October,” Baxter said. “… We want the first draft of the film done by December. That’s very ambitious.”
Pernice’s drive is like a bug — his cast and crew either already have it or they can’t help but catch it. That motivation pushed the group of low-paid and unpaid workers through a wildly condensed 17-day shoot in October, Pernice said.
The lead actors and the overwhelming majority of crew members are 27 years old or younger, so a warm reception for “Running on Empty” on the festival circuit could boost a number of careers, Pernice said.
With that in mind, the cast and crew adopted the project as their own. Fourteen-hour days, cramped sleeping arrangements and the occasional clash of personalities proved bearable, and often enjoyable, in the run to create a fine piece of art, said Pernice, who has aspired to be a filmmaker for most of his life.
“We are all sort of working around, trying to get whatever is in Joe’s head into the real world,” said Matthew Reichard, the unit production manager. “It’s all looking great. He’s getting great performances from people.”
Long before the tape rolled, several reputable actors saw the potential of Pernice and his project. Steve Schirripa, who played Bobby “Bacala” Baccalieri in “The Sopranos,” Emmy-winner Blanche Baker and Adam LeFevre all signed on to roles in the movie, along with other reputable performers.
Although the film touts a small budget by Hollywood’s standards, Nelsen said the collective belief in “Running on Empty” overrode many of his colleagues’ desire for a hefty paycheck.
“If you love it, you’re enjoying what you’re doing and you’re with good people, then I don’t care about the budget,” Nelsen said. “I’d do this for free.”
The final cut should be ready by April 2014, so that it may pass through a series of film festivals, where it will hopefully be picked up for distribution, Pernice said.
“I just hope this helps everyone’s career and gets everyone that next movie,” he said.
One thing is clear: Whether the film soars to success or floats elsewhere, Pernice will continue to chip away at the walls that surround the industry. He has already penned a script for his next endeavor.