When Bloggers Become Actors

Posted by admin on February 13th, 2009 filed in Embracing Autism

Last year, I attended the 7^th Sinelab Basic Scriptwriting workshop. We were required to make a script and transform it later on into a short movie.

The first topic that came into my mind is autism. You probably know that the reason why. In my whole lifetime, I haven’t seen a single Filipino movie whose main topic is dealing with autism.

As a sister to a special yet cuddly boy named Carlo, I decided to write a script about the life of having an autistic sibling – the joys, the pains, the sacrifices, the LOVE.

I wrote a script comprising of 18 pages and a number of sequences. The story basically tackles the love and bond between a special elder brother who loves to draw and listen to music and a younger sister who is torn between staying for the sake of her brother and pursuing her dream.

Last year, I made a blog post looking for volunteer cast and production members. I considered a female celebrity friend for the lead female role. Due to time constraints and corporate life, I wasn’t able to push through with the shoot ASAP.

In May 2008, I attended a short lecture on Video Editing at Discovery Suites and the lecturer was Philippine Wedding Videographer Buddy Gancenia. I was amazed on his works specifically on how unique his concepts are in wedding coverage. The set-up, the interviews, the wedding ceremony, the reception, the works, the aftermath of every wedding is unique from their other clients. I, a struggling writer/director approached him and his lovely wife about the camera. They both agreed to help me out with my project. I think they liked the concept.

One of the respondents who showed interest in helping out with the short movie is Josh a.k.a. Joyful Chicken of ChickenMafia.com. I asked him again and he said that he is really interested in helping out and he wants to direct his own short movie soon. Later on, he told me that his girlfriend, Lizz Buenaventura will go with him to help too. Waaah little did I know that Lizz is really an artist! Weeee. T’was nice to see a lovely couple on the set

In June 2008, I took a picture of Cai and Jehz at the Coke event at Taste Asia. Though they were not really that close during those times, I saw the chemistry between them. Cai, who is a director of three wonderful short films was originally appointed as my assistant director. Jehz was a new blogger friend whom I easily liked due to his child-like personality and how appreciative he is in a lot of things. I took their picture and I said “Mukha kayong magkapatid”. They both smiled.

After a few weeks, I mentioned to them that I am considering them for the role of the Arcilla siblings. Cai was a bit hesitant because she is more comfortable working behind the scenes. Jehz was a bit more open and I got excited when I found out that he is a true artist when he showed me one of his works back in high school.

Since then, I took pictures of them or ask my other blogger friends to take lots of photos of them together. I saved them in my USB and had it printed. I asked them to pose as if they’re real siblings and they gamely obliged to my requests. We even had a happy nightout last All Saints Day

 

 

For some reason, I saw Carlo in Jehzeel. I wrote a post about it here three months ago and when my grandparents saw him after the shoot, they all agreed that they can see the loving Carlo in him – cheerful, playful and innocent.

Carl is a good photographer friend of mine. He was supposed to play one of the important roles in the movie, but he had some prior commitments. I am thankful because he arrived on time (and left on the wrong time LOL) yet he managed to take some good pictures and he taught us how to swim haha

 

 

I asked a number of blogger friends to play the support characters. I chose Ada to play the role of the boyish cousin. The happy thing there is she did execute her scenes perfectly. Her role might be short, but you will remember her character.

 

Some of the ‘accidental’ cast members are Ed and Jhelo. I texted Ed a night before the actual shoot when another friend backed out the last minute. I am happy because Ed promised to help me out with the project as long as he is free on the day of the shoot. He helped us out during breaks too. Jhelo, who dropped by the shoot mainly just to accompany Ada became an instant replacement. His character in the short movie is short yet funny. He’s wearing his uniform pa LOL.

 

 

Winston was not my first choice for the role since he was originally based in Davao City. He played the role of the pretentious suitor who later on got what he deserved. Winston had a lot of commitments that weekend, but I insisted that he must join the shoot. Thank God he did because you will see a rebellious yagit here LOL.

 

 

Ate Sire and Lenny played a worth gossiping role LOL. The former brought in some Maki for Jehz and I asked her to appear on the movie a night before the second day of the shoot. She said yes though she’ll be a bit late. Ate Lenny didn’t like the idea of appearing in the short movie, but since Carl left the last minute, I needed her help and she had no choice LOL.

And oh, I appeared as the best friend of Cai in the short movie. Hindi ito sinasadya LOL.

 

I am happy because we were able to finish the shoot for two days. Thanks to the guidance of Sir Buddy. I learned a lot from him from the different angles, the audio, the production design, the technical stuff, the creative team, the budget and a lot more. No wonder I can hear nothing but all praises from his friends and clients. He is a passionate videographer and he is a bit strict hehe

 

 

I would like to thank my dear friend Louis for letting us shoot on your house. I know you were dead tired that day and lacked some sleep. Teehee. Thanks to my grannies for letting me use the condo. Please do not charge me for the next electric billing. Thanks to Angel Juares, Maki Eduardo and Luis Buenaventura for the support and the pictures weee

For the meantime, I would like to share this “blurry” aftermath video. Sinadya ko yan haha