Filming in the time of pandemic
The filmmakers endured the challenges of filming amidst restrictions, Alejandre said.
“Maraming challenges, dati nagsho-shoot ako ng mga films ko dito sa Antique, bitbit ko lahat ng crew from Manila. Kasama ko na iyon matagal na, pag-uwi dito for good, syempre ang challenges ko una ay saan ako kukuha ng crew, pangalawa, actors – always challenge 'yun dito sa amin kasi ang filmmaking dito very young pa talaga,” Manuel Magbanua, Jr, director of “Ugbos ka Bayabas” said.
(There are a lot of challenges, when I was shooting my films here in Antique before, I brought my crew here from Manila. They have been with me for a very long time, now that I am home for good, the challenges were – first, where would I get a crew, second, actors which has always been a challenge here since filmmaking here is still very young)
Magbanua said the remedy to this predicament was that he and his wife run a production workshop back in Manila, “Write, Shoot, Cut, Play” since 2008 – they trained most of the newfound crew first on the fundamentals and intricacies of film production before they started filming.
Carlo Obispo, director of “13 Feet,” also shared that they had to pack up shooting dates because someone had tested positive for COVID-19 and raising additional funds.
“Lumalabas talaga ang pagiging resourceful ng filmmaker pag-ipit na ipit (A filmmaker’s resourcefulness will really come out when we are faced with extreme challenges,)" Obispo said. He added that the experience made him realize there can still be a lot that can be done even on limited resources.
Meanwhile, the filmmakers of “Black Rainbow” experienced a storm and landslide during their location shoot.
All 12 films were produced following health protocols set by the national government and LGUs.
Sine Halaga organizers believe that streaming the films online is an effective way of reaching the younger generation to empower them with values that are positively Filipino.
Sine Halaga will kick off the online film festival, August 25 at 6:00 p.m., which will broadcast live on https://www.facebook.com/sinehalaga page. This also marks the world premiere of the 12 films via Vimeo OnDemand and the NCCA Learning Resources Hub website. (SAYU/PIA-10)