Actor, writer, and producer Kyle Ricchetti brings a unique approach to the theme of death in his short film Happy Endings Funeral Parlor, which follows the comedic misadventures of two siblings managing a struggling funeral home under the watchful eye of Uncle Nicky. Recently showcased at the Soho International Film Festival, the film has already won over audiences at the LA Shorts Film Festival, revealing how humor can be a powerful coping mechanism in the face of loss. With a background that includes productions on Amazon and Hulu, Ricchetti shares his personal experiences that inspired him to create this work, emphasizing the importance of laughter during difficult times.
What was the creative process like for you in writing Happy Endings Funeral Parlor, especially considering the personal inspiration behind the story?
The genesis of the story development is derived from a tragic life event, and it served to help create authentic storytelling that audiences will hopefully resonate with. These characters and all their bad luck dealing with a difficult job provides a lot of comedic moments, but I feel like it’s also very relatable and grounded (pun intended). The world of funeral service directors is largely unexplored in film, and it is fascinating how these people deal with death almost every day. It’s a tough business to be in, but somebody’s gotta do it!
The short film uses humor as a way to cope with death. How did you balance the comedic tone with respect for the delicate theme of loss?
It’s a tightrope act balancing those elements. Studying a variety of dramatic and comedic films helped. Many of the best comedies have a difficult or delicate theme built into the background of the story, which adds the emotional layers for the characters and the heart. You wanna entertain the audience while also handling difficult subject matter carefully. Having experienced the loss of friends and loved ones several times in my life, I knew how much people needed a laugh during those difficult and trying events. I built the story from a place using laughter as a healthy way to cope.
We know that comedy plays an important role in your career. How did your experience with the Shakedown Comedy group influence the creation of this short film?
I was doing comedy sketches with that group, which was great training. Everyone put so much effort and passion into everything we did. When you have little to work with it can bring out the best in your fellow creatives. You think on your feet and band together to get something made that you’re proud to share with audiences. Working in the comedic space frequently kept Happy Endings Funeral Parlor in the back of my mind, I believed in it and knew I had to find a way to get it made.
The experience of losing a childhood friend had a profound impact on you. How has that shaped not only this project but also your approach to filmmaking in general?
It was very humbling for me. It makes you realize just how precious life is. It helped shape the way I try not to take things for granted. The film industry can be very stressful, but at the end of the day it’s a dream job. I don’t take that lightly. I’m not perfect, but I try to cherish every minute of it and treat people with kindness. You never know when your time is gonna be up, or theirs. Make the best of every day.
In addition to being an actor, you’re also a writer and producer. How do you juggle these different roles, especially in projects like Happy Endings Funeral Parlor?
It felt like trying to climb out of quicksand with concrete blocks strapped to your feet, I look back now and laugh. What really helped was that Zach and I spent a year doing pre-production. I think overpreparing is a great thing, it’s inevitable that something or many things will go awry on set. When you’ve got backup solutions, you can keep the train moving. Also, trusting your cast and crew. We were very fortunate to have a wonderful and dedicated team. Small, yet mighty! The challenge of getting through it was exhilarating, I’m ready for the next one!
Your feature The Hollow Realm is a finalist in the Horror 2 Comic Screenplay Festival. How do you view the blending of horror with other art forms, such as comics, and what draws you to that process?
There’s a lot of potential for crossover between the horror world and comics. Horror films are typically very striking visually, which serves a comic book well. Our screenplay The Hollow Realm deals with dreamstates and nightmares. There’s so much to dive into in that world, which is why we set it up to be a horror universe. I think it would make a great comic book series as well!
After the positive reception of Happy Endings Funeral Parlor at festivals like LA Shorts and Soho International, what are your next steps and ambitions in your filmmaking career?
Our main focus right now is getting the feature made. We have begun pre-production and are in the process of securing the funding. We’ve also got a television series in mind after the film. Think of all the chaos Johnny and Marcell can wind up in! From there I’d love to keep working, whether that’s bringing more of our stories to life or producing projects for other creatives.
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