When you are Runza, a Nebraska-based restaurant chain with a cult following and no intention to compete in hundreds of markets across the country, nor to extend your hours into breakfast or late-night like the national chains, you may as well poke fun at the competition and talk about how you’re different.
With the help of Swanson Russell in Lincoln, and production partners T2 + Back Alley Films in Kansas City, Runza cast Tim Ryder, part of the famed Second City ensemble in its spokesperson role.
“The scripts were pretty funny to begin with but we would have been fools not to utilize Tim’s improv skills to improve the spots,” said Director Pete Meyer. “Once we knew we had the scripted versions in the can, we let him improvise on longer takes. Working in this looser structure made the shoot days and the editorial process a lot more fun for everyone.”