Cinemalaya 2008 Finalists

And so it is out... the Ten films made it to the Cinemalaya film festival this coming June 2008... The Ten Film projects, is given 500,000 Pesos seed grant each, where the producers of the film will have to outsource some funds to add up to their film projects. Congratulations to the Ten Finalists for Cinemalaya 2008.

Here are the Top Ten Finalists:

1. “100″ by Chris Martinez
2. “Antiparang Basag” by Edith Asuncion
3. “Baby Angelo” by Joel Ruiz and Abi Aquino
4. “Brutus” by Tara Illenberger
5. “Huling Pasada” by Paul Sta. Ana
6. “Jay” by Francis Xavier Pasion
7. “Konsyerto sa Kagubatan” by Paul Morales
8. “My Fake American Accent” by Onnah Valera
9. “Ranchero” by Michael Christian Cardoz
10. “The Gift of a Smile” by Emman dela Cruz

--Eye-4-Films--

Gustavo Loza in Mowel Fund

Last December 19-21, 2007... award winning Mexican Director, Gustavo Loza, came over to the Philippines to conduct an intensive workshop for Independent Filmmakers at the MowelFund Film Institute.

The said workshop, was participated by selected directors, producer, and filmmakers from different points in the country... including the four filmmakers from Mindanao – Sheron Dayoc, Fernan Salinas, McRobert Nacario and Al Jacinto . The said Way to go guys! :)

--Eye-4-Films--

A Touch of Culture

Every time I watch a flick... I instantly distinguish a Korean film... well, I guess its obvious, korean always try to show its culture through their films... something that Filipino films doesn't have... or perhaps only a few has it.

Well for one, Koreans are very particular with culture, I guess over the generation... they still instill culture and traditions to the young generation in spite of the modern generation. Filipinos has reason unto why we can't seem to distinguish our culture... it all sums up to its history... being overpowered by foreigners, which makes us diverse in culture.

In one of my workshops... a fellow workshopper said... "mahilig kasi manggaya ang pinoy" Sad but true... Just by merely watching those teleserye and all? I happen to see the same stories in Hollywood... I believe him... but just because I believed it doesn't mean it has to be that way and still has to stay that way...

But mind you... us being diversed? Is culture itself... dig deeper... good stories are found in learning one's culture.

--Eye-4-Films--

I'm back!!!

Been gone for a time, but I'm just so glad to be back blogging again... well... I have been very busy during the holidays... that it took me only now to write once again... I missed this... in fact, I miss you friends!!! :)

Well, i'll make sure of giving you updates in my world... films and more... :) I'll see you around guys!:)

-- Eye-4-Films--

Wanna do Films? Consider This.

There is so much to learn when it comes to doing films... and you need to consider a lot of things... like the story, location shoots, cinematography, etc. Well, if you don't want your movie to flop... give keen attention to DETAILS.

• Make Sure your STORY is ORIGNAL and its worth telling.
• Don't settle for the conventional type of story... make sure that your story is something that would leave a mark to your audience. Make sure it has sense, but at the same time creative.
  
• Always have someone to critic your script... remember that best filmmakers always thinks that the script could get better. It is encouraged that you read your script aloud to have a better feel for the dialogue.
• Remember that a Script can either make or break your film... so take time in doing your script.
  

• BUDGET... BUDGET... BUDGET!
• This is very crucial in making a film. Especially when you are an independent filmmaker... so before you pack up for the shoot, make sure you have enough budget for your production needs. You must have a projected production cost. It is really important to have a good production manager to help in the budgeting and sponsorship for your production.

• CASTING
• In Independent filmmaking, because of low budget, they settle for non-professional actors, in choosing for the right characters for your film, consider the personality of the person applying for the role.

• WORKSHOP
• Conduct a workshop for your talents. This helps your talent to adjust in the actual shoot, and to be comfortable with the camera.
  

• LOCATION SCOUT
• It is recommend to conduct a location shoot that is necessary for your scenes, prior to the day of shooting.
  

• ASK PERMISSION
• Remember to ask permission before filming... make sure you have all the necessary documents such as contracts, talent forms, etc.
  

• SOUND CHECK!
• Be keen when it comes to sound, it is as important as visuals. Make sure that there are no unwanted sounds on your film.
  

• DON'T rely so much in Post Production
• If you see some lapses on your film prior to the post production, consider a re-shoot, or settle what needs to be settled while still on the shoot. Fixing takes so much time and not all fixes are very good.
  

• EDITING
• For your post production, you can edit your film using video editing softwares, examples of which are the Final Cut Pro and the Adobe Premiere Pro 2. Ask a friend who knows about these softwares to help you out... its actually easy to learn Video Editing :)

• Let your Film BE SEEN
• Use your film as an advancement to your next film. Show your film to as many people as you can.
• Have copies of DVDs and VCDs and have it send to competitions and film festivals.

Lastly, DO NOT QUIT. Not all filmmakers gained recognition in their first films. Only people who are very passionate about films and never give up on their first failures in filmmaking, can make a name in the film industry. Remember that a film is a filmmaker's identity.

Two Indie Films RATED X by MTRCB

This Film along with the Film, Mendiola of Sine Patriyotiko is rated as "X" by the MTRCB. This Film is an entry to the Kontra Agos Resistance Film Festival to be shown on December 5-11, 2007. Both Films talks about the struggles of Fillipinos under the present Administration.

Can this be a repression of the Administration?

Scriptwriting Workshop

I received an email from Mr. Ronnie Fernandez... one of the student of Ricky Lee (Pagdadalage ni Maximo Oliveros, Sarung Banggi)when it comes to Film... and he's planning to come up with a Scriptwriting workshop... knowing that I always have intense passion as Filmmaking is concern? I'm thinking about joining.

Since I can't be available for the said dates of his workshop... we both agreed that I avail the Online Program... and its actually convenient on my part. Someone gets to comment on my work and I get to improve my skills in doing scripts :) and so... I actually had my first assignment... Here it goes:

• Bumuo ng isang istorya na may simula, gitna, at katapusan base sa mga sumusunod na imahe:

- isang blangkong papel
- lubak-lubak at mabatong kalsada
- palubog na araw
- sumisipol na takure dahil sa kumukulong tubig
- tatlong pari na sabay-sabay na nagbibigay ng komunyon

• Walang kinakailangan na pagkaka sunod-sunod ng mga imahe... bahala kang magduktong-duktong na naaayon sa iyong gagawing istorya.
  

Thank you...

-Ronnie Fernandez-

Oh well... hope this entire workshop thing will work for me :)

Guerilla Filmmaking Mindanao Film Festival

Poster by: Mark Limbaga

I can't really wait to watch the short film entries of Mindanao Filmmakers who are bound to have their theatrical premiere on Dec. 2, 2007 at the Gaisano Mall of Davao for the 5th Year of the Guerilla Filmmaking: Mindanao Film Festival.

It's actually the first time that the festival will be having an intercollegiate competition for Short Films, aside from the open category. And there will also be short film exhibits of Local Filmmakers in Mindanao...

These film entries will be competing for the awards such as Best Director, Best Film, Best screenplay, Best cinematography, best editing, etc. Lets support out local Filmmakers... watch out for the Mindanao Film Festival entries.

Mindana Films in Kontra-Agos Film Festival

poster grabbed from Kontra-Agos Film Fest site


Mindanao Filmmakers is indeed starting to make its way to the world of Filmmaking. Seven Filmmakers from Mindanao gathers for the Kontra-Agos resistance Film Festival. Along with their entries that talks about Mindanao, actually a way of promoting PEACE in MINDANAO.

Here is the list of filmmakers to join the Kontra-agos Film Festival:

1. Eduardo C. Vasquez, Jr., OMI; Me'guyaya - Documentary
2. Loren HAllilah I. Lao; Tranquil Times - Documentary
3. Moises Charles Hollite; George's Town - Documentary
4. Al Jacinto; Sulu - Documentary
5. McRobert Nacario; Biniton - Feature
6. Monalyn Labado; A Step for My Dream - Feature
7. Sheron Dayoc; Dreams - Feature


The Seven Mindanao Films mentioned Premieres on December 6, 2007; 7 in the evening at Indie Sine, Robinson's Galleria, Ortigas Center in Pasig City.

Let's support Independent Films... :)

PBB: PAMANA Short Film Review

I was checking a good channel to watch when I get to see Director, Maryo J. delos Reyes, who has been one of my favorite Film Director in the Philippines, guesting in Pinoy Big Brother House... I was wondering what he is doing at the show... well, I haven't really been updated with what has been going on in that PBB house... so seeing him there at the moment really made me wonder.

Alas! Toni answered the questions in my mind... he was there to critique the short film of our celebrity house mates... Quite intrigued... I waited for that short film entitled PAMANA, courtesy of the Pinoy Big Brother Productions...

For those who don't have any idea what I'm talkin' about.. i'll give you a short description about the film PAMANA...

The story talks about the story behind the house of Victor Basa, where obviously got the Title PAMANA, because he inherited the house from his ancestors... and started to tell a story about his ancestor, wherein, his great grandfather, who happens to be a very powerful man during their time, the wife, find herself unhappy with the husband that made her get close to the colleague and it made the husband jealous that ended up in poisoning the wife and the colleague and later, himself... and as Victor continues... he kids about sightings of ghost in the house... that turned it to be real, when the three becomes the reflection of Victor's Ancestors.

I also have few comments on the film:

1. At the beginning of the film, I didn't really see any hint of a movie being freaky or anything considering that it is supposed to be kinda scary film... in fact, I find the house so lively... no signs of creepiness. Something that needs to be established through... lighting... props...

2. Victor's costume is kinda distracting... and its kinda funny... that I didn't really know that the film is supposed to be giving me goosebumps because its meant to be scary.

3. There is redundancy in the film... remember: SHOW NOT TELL. It would have been better if Victor didn't narrat the scene... like the three died and all that... but just let the video tell the story... that's what film is all about... you tell the story through the actions.

4. I find the poisoning thing to be lacking of emotions on the part of WILL and RIZA, I didn't feel the pain of dying.

5. I saw power in the character of the husband... and it was nice... and also, there is a dramatic moment when a tear is flowing down his face... it was a nice shot, I saw the drama on his face.

6. I would have liked the falling of glass, I would have find it really cinematic... but there were lapses in the consistency... considering that the glass were held in the left hand... but when the glass fell... the right hand were already situated beside the broken glass... the left hand should have been captured beside the broken glass...its what you call consistency of the film...

Oh well those are my comments on the film... I rate them... 3.0

ready for... Lights, Camera, ACTION!!! :)

what would you do if you become an instant film director... and you only have a day to prepare... the script, the equipments, the crews, the logistics, the storyboard, the whatevers? and to think, it will be your first time for the job as a DIRECTOR-- totally nerve wracking i guess. nyaha!

well, i am yet to watch out how things would go... for moimoi, who just got a role as a Director 6 hours ago... weheheh...

yeah like as if i can staND by just watching how things would go. aryt... i dont intend to just watch. i intend to help in any way i can... we were always a team during the MICROMEDIA Productions...

Yeah rhon.. and how are you gonna do that when you also have the same schedules as theirs? Well no way im freaking out... (as if... yayay!!! - and yet im struggling in polishing my script!!! waaahhh)

Well i just thought... if everything has been so impromptu and considering that we cant use the same production name in a competition? how about naming it as comewhatmay production? (nyahahah-- am i teasing?) hahahah...

well im just lightening up your mood DIREK...

enough of this already... i am finishing my script... i'll punish myself if i dont finish this today... i swear... i wont eat... MEAT... nyahahaha!!!

Zhang Yimou

I never watched Zhang Yimou's films until early last year of 2006, the first movie I watched, starred, Zhang Ziyi... "The Road Home." Honestly, at first I don't find the movie very interesting... but as the story progressed, i find it to be appealing.

Actually, The Road Home, is just a simple story about a girl from the countryside who fells in love with an educator. The story shows how the girl tries to win her man... it was a simple story... but I find it interesting, through a very artistic and traditional work of art at the same time..

So far, I have watched 3 films of Yimou... and each has its own style in visual storytelling no matter how simple a story can get... "The Road Home, Not One Less, and Curse of the Golden Flower".

I've been wanting to watch more of Zhang Yimou's films... he always have artistic details in his films that reveals the identity of the film.

Directing workshop

A friend and a filmmaker, Guttierez "Teng" Mangansakan II, invited me for a Film-Directing Workshop last October 13-14, 2007 at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao. Wherein Filmmakers from different points in Mindanao come together for the said workshop. We were so lucky to finally meet Direk Nick Deocampo, the executive Director of the Mowel Fund Institute.

Nick Deocampo shared his knowledge about Filmmaking... and how to come up with a good film. In the workshop, he pointed out that a story, a script and a film... are completely different from the other.

What makes a good Film? A good story + good cinematography + a good editing = A GOOD FILM.