FTP Second Half Session

FTP class sessions have ended last July 25. We are now in pre-production stages of our short film. Before I talk about the pre-prod planning, let me recap the second half sessions which I failed to write here.

Day 7: Production Design

As the facilitator, we had Robert Domingo. He won for his work in Eddie Garcia's Imortal. His most recent work was on TV via Kampanerang Kuba.

He made emphasis on being creative and resourceful when it comes to production designing. The designer has to do away with all the things available around him especially pag nagkakagipitan na, i.e. sudden costume/set change.


Day 8: Cinematography/Camera Works/Lighting Design

For this session, we had one of the best (if not the greatest) in his field, the Romy Vitug! Tatay Romy started as a photo journalist back in the 60s-70s. The Lino Brocka gave him his first crack at cinematography via Tatlo, Dalawa, Isa in 1974. He wasn't adept then to movie camera language. Nawindang-windang pa siya with Lino's technical instructions. He learned along the way through experiences and with the help of the people around him. He also read books about it. Till he became one of the respected cinematographers here in the Philippines! He has won numerous awards in different award-giving bodies including Urian. I remember him mostly with his Reyna Films works. They're a few of my favorite films.

The session mostly became a kwentuhan event. Sadly, Tatay Romy isn't really much of a teacher. I guess, most people who learned from experience are not. Not that it's bad. It's just a given fact that not all has the ability to teach even if they are excellent in their field. Kaya nga sinapo na siya ni Direk Rahyan when it comes to talking about technicalities, etc.

What inpires me the most about Tatay Romy is his humility. Inspite of the countless awards and recoginitions he had received from the industry, he had remained down to earth. One could easily notice that with his demeanor and how he speaks. Walang ka-ere-ere!

One thing I've realized, as well, is that I'm not into cinematography (at the moment, I guess). It's very technical. I need to read and learn about it first before I could say that I want to try it.


Day 9: Assistant Director/Continuity Director

Day 9 was with the ever pleasant and accomodating, Julius Alfonso (see picture with my friend/groupmate, Len). O di ba? Magsipsip ba? Hehehe. I know that you'd find your way here in my blog in someway or another (just like Joseph Balboa did!), so babatiin ko na po kayo! Hello po sa inyo! :-)

Sir Julius started as a fashion designer. How he started in show business escaped my mind. I guess, I wasn't paying much attention well when his history was mentioned. Pa'no nga ba, Sir Julius? What I remember, though, is that most of his work was with Joel Lamangan. Gamay na gamay na nila ang isa't-isa na tandem na silang maituturing when it comes to being a director and assistant director. With films like Bulaklak ng Maynila, Mano Po 1, Manay Po, Aishite Imasu, theirs is a winning collaboration! Incidentally, he also put on his hands on co-writing Bakit May Kahapon Pa? with Roy Iglesias which was also under the direction of Joel. He was nominated with Roy for Best Screenplay in Urian, 1996. Tama nga ba 'yung info na 'yun, Sir Julius?

An AD is truly the director's right-hand man (the cinematographer being on the left) because he is the one who'd give orders on the set. He would make sure that the director's visions would be executed properly. He'd be the one to tell the cinematographer the shots needed/wanted for a certain scene. In short, he is the voice of the director on the set. Kaya madalas, siya rin ang napuputukan ng mga artistang pasaway, ng mga director na init-ulo o ng mga producer na tigas-ulo. An AD is also the script supervisor (most of the time) who would make sure that every scene would be done accordingly. He needs to remind the director on the last scene or shot that he made.

An AD has a lot of work scope. If you think about, it's a very tiring and demanding job. He needs to be present from pre-production plans to editing sessions. Puyatan na kung sa puyatan!

Day 10: Directing Actors

Fun, fun, fun! That was day 10 like with Director Soxie Topacio! Direk, Socrates pala name n'yo talaga! Ang taray! Hehehe... (Picture with friend/groupmate, Acy)

Direk Soxie mostly gave us techniques in directing/motivating actors. I don't remember the names of those techniques because we tried them ourselves. We didn't had the time to write some notes.

As a director (and as a person, I guess), he's the fun-loving kind. His set is a pleasant one where fear is nowhere in sight. Sometimes it's good. Sometimes it isn't. He isn't the type of person who shouts or gets mad at his actors. Kaya nga raw andun ang AD, he'd be the one to do the "dirty deeds", i.e. mambulyaw ng artista o crew kung kinakailangan.

What I mostly remembered about the session are his behind-the-scenes stories of some actors/movies/directors. He should come up with a book detailing all his kwento! Sobrang aliw! Sobrang halay! Hahaha! Di ko na lang ikukuwento rito dahil mas masarap siya pakinggan. But what I learned with his stories is that Nora Aunor is truly one of the greatest actor (worldwide) alive! An expert should write about how great she in all details for the world to know!