“Out to Lunch” Takes a Darkly Comedic and Vigilante Twist

“Out to Lunch” is set to make waves with its unique blend of dark comedy, self-discovery, and vigilante justice.

The film, directed by Whitney Ingram, originated from a journey spanning several years, evolving through various iterations inspired by the movie ‘Stranger Than Fiction.’ Ingram, seeking to delve into her favorite genre, dark comedy, crafted a narrative centered around a wild and unpredictable protagonist dealing with the aftermath of being ghosted by an ex-fling.

“Initially, I employed a voice-over where characters mouthed the words of the narrator” said Ingram. “However, the script underwent numerous changes until I realized my true ambition: to create a film in my favorite genre, dark comedy. Consequently, I envisioned a kick-ass, somewhat anxiety-ridden protagonist with dramatic mood swings.”

The ensemble cast includes Lindsey Hawkes, Mark Gaudette, and Yvonne Bass, supported by a talented crew featuring Weston Woodbury, William Bultez, Dominic Bohme, Jackson Bohme, Same Wangberg, Mateo Forman, Wei Kang Loo, and Nathan Thrills.

The heart of the story lies in themes of miscommunication and isolation, portrayed uniquely without any dialogue but relying on facial expressions, music, and text. Whitney Ingram expressed her love for combining drama and comedy in an almost absurd way, aiming for a humor that leaves the audience questioning the genre.

“It’s the kind of humor where someone should be asking, ‘Is this a comedy?’ because they want to laugh but don’t know why.”

For Ingram, the favorite part of production was the synergy on the first day when the cast and crew came together. 

“I quickly realized how incredible the next two days would be. Not only was everyone extremely talented, but they were also easy-going, fun, and great to collaborate with. It was therapeutic for me as well. I had been suddenly laid off from work and needed to move before my lease expired in two months. I was determined to prove that I could make this film, which had been in the works for a few weeks. I decided to be the Director of Photography (DP) myself, a role I don’t usually assume. However, with a bit of a chip on my shoulder, I wanted to channel my feelings into the creation of the film and showcase my knowledge of cinematography.”

The most challenging aspect of production, according to Ingram, was the fight scenes on the second day. Limited time for rehearsals and the desire to capture the twilight hour added pressure.

“True to my nature, I was keen to capture the twilight hour for a specific part of the script, which meant we had to expedite towards the end. The rapidly changing sunlight forced me to make some cuts to stay on schedule. Fight scenes invariably take longer to shoot, even seemingly simple ones like mine that don’t necessarily look very elaborate. Our goal was to achieve a realistic feel, as if the characters had never been in a fight before, which actually worked in our favor. Nonetheless, having a dedicated rehearsal day or an extra day to perfect the second fight scene would have been ideal.”

Reflecting on the production, Ingram expressed a desire for more time to capture the fight scenes in the envisioned lighting. Despite the challenges, she emphasized the importance of pushing forward, stating, ‘It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to get done.’

For aspiring filmmakers, Ingram offered valuable advice based on her experience. Over-preparation is key, especially for those dealing with challenges like depression and anxiety. She encouraged meticulous planning of every detail, from script and shot list to call sheets, highlighting the significance of commitment to creative pursuits.

“This mindset has not only helped me through tough times but has also kept me motivated, even when I doubted my abilities. Always over-prepare, and don’t let the fear of failure hold you back. Failure is a universal experience. If you’re not failing, you’re not growing, and consequently, not improving. Fail forward and don’t look back.”

“Out To Lunch” is an official selection in the Utah International Film Festival, scheduled to take place from February 12-17. The film will screen at Maven Cinemas in American Fork, UT.

Those interested in exploring more of Whitney Ingram’s filmmaking journey and future projects can follow her on social media @wittyfilmgirl on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Additionally, her website, wittyfilmgirl.com, serves as a comprehensive resource for a collection of larger projects.