Author: Gabriel

Wild Hogs

apr302007_wild_hogs.jpgAs far as I know, people either hate or love John Travolta. And I don’t blame them. This is the direct result of producing a classic like Staying Alive, then dropping off the planet and getting listed in the celebrity ‘whatever happened to..?‘ list for a decade or two. Then you come back with Pulp Fiction, and then produce nonsense like Swordfish or that ghastly Face Off. It’s either – or with this guy. A producer of terrific, culture shaping hits or toilet blockage material, with a deep chasm separating the two.

So when I watched Wild Hogs, and saw him looking like he’s actually having some fun, I realized I was having fun too. Not because it’s got a terrific plot or that it’s amazingly funny or that it changes the world of comedy or any of that. Rather, the movie shows a guy that I can’t figure out having fun. In the process, I am watching a movie of his where I don’t have to figure him out, so I just end up having fun. Does that make sense?

Continue reading Wild Hogs

Mom.Exchange.ph & Justclickphotos.com Mother’s Day Promo

Justclickphotos.com (aka Click) make great photobooks at a very affordable prices. You can give these precious items as gifts from your children to their grandparents! They also make calendars, cards, gift certificates, photo bags and posters.

In time for Mother’s Day March 13, 2007, Click in cooperation with Mom.Exchange.Ph is giving away THREE PhP100 gift certificates to those who can send in their BEST – est Mom’s Day photos! Send the pictures by email to jencctan@gmail.com and put “MomEx CLICK PROMO” as your email’s subject. Please also include your name and contact number.

Review of Pan’s Labyrinth

apr302007_pans_labyrinth.jpgWhat’s obvious to me during the watching of ‘Laberinto del fauno, El’ (Pan’s Labyrinth), is that the performance of it’s chief villain, Capitan Vidal, played magnificently by Sergi Lopez, effectively brings to life the best rendition of a movie villain I’ve ever seen.

To me, the bad guy is always the juiciest part in every film. If I were an actor wishing to prove my mettle, the surest path to this, granted I’d have the talent of course, is to avoid the hero part, which by being so automatically limits one to stereotype. Rather, one should go for the villain part, where you are allowed far more freedom and depth as you portray, explain, and define why this person has become such as he goes about his bad guy ways.

Whilst you may argue that this can be done for the hero as well, the villain, as we all know in real life villains, frequently does not come from the same cookie cutter like heroes are. There are many and varied ways to screw up a person and make him bad. All colorful, usually deeply tragic, all making excellent fodder for a qualified actor to chew on.

You know what to do!

Pan’s Labyrinth

apr302007_pans_labyrinth.jpgWhat’s obvious to me during the watching of ‘Laberinto del fauno, El’ (Pan’s Labyrinth), is that the performance of it’s chief villain, Capitan Vidal, played magnificently by Sergi Lopez, effectively brings to life the best rendition of a movie villain I’ve ever seen.

To me, the bad guy is always the juiciest part in every film. If I were an actor wishing to prove my mettle, the surest path to this, granted I’d have the talent of course, is to avoid the hero part, which by being so automatically limits one to stereotype. Rather, one should go for the villain part, where you are allowed far more freedom and depth as you portray, explain, and define why this person has become such as he goes about his bad guy ways.

Whilst you may argue that this can be done for the hero as well, the villain, as we all know in real life villains, frequently does not come from cookie cutters like heroes do. There are many and varied ways to screw up a person and make him rotten. All colorful, usually deeply tragic, all providing excellent fodder for a qualified actor to chew on.

Continue reading Pan’s Labyrinth

ADVANCED DIGITAL CINEMATOGRAPHY (UPFI MULTIMEDIA WORKSHOP 2007)

Facilitator: Louie Quirino
Dates; May 28 – June 2
Time; 10am to 6pm. Venue: CMC Basement
Fee: 15,000. (inclusive of light snacks, handouts, use of equipment, UPFI workshop kits, and certificates)

University of the Philippines Film Institute Cine Adarna, Magsaysay and Osmeña Avenues, UP Diliman, QC

For workshop queries (UPFI MULTIMEDIA WORKSHOP 2007)
Email: upfi_workshops@yahoo.com.ph
Call: 9263640/9262722 (Telefax)
Visit: http://www.upd.edu.ph/~film_institute/

BASIC DIGITAL CINEMATOGRAPHY (UPFI MULTIMEDIA WORKSHOP 2007)

Facilitator: Dix Buhay
Dates; May 21 – 26 (Mon to Sat)
Time; 10am to 6pm. Venue: CMC Basement
Fee: 12,000. (inclusive of light snacks, handouts, use of equipment, UPFI workshop kits, and certificates)

Basic Digital Cinematography is a workshop that introduces the participants to the tools, equipment, and technical work of the cinematographer (and the gaffer), in the context of digital filmmaking. Participants and are introduced to the art & technique of lighting for video (e.g., manipulating the quality & quantity of light; deciding on light sources; learning color temperatures; making decisions on lighting motivations; mounting the 3-point lighting system) and using the digital camera (e.g., maximizing the stationary and the mobile frames; making decisions on composition).

For workshop queries:
Email: upfi_workshops@yahoo.com.ph
Call: 9263640/9262722 (Telefax)
Visit: http://www.upd.edu.ph/~film_institute/

SOUND & MUSIC DESIGN FOR FILM: INDIGENOUS FILIPINO MUSIC & WORLD CHANTS (UPFI MULTIMEDIA WORKSHOP 2007)

Facilitator; Carol Bello
Dates; May 21- 26 (Mon to Sat)
Time; 10:00 am to 6 pm. Venue: CMC A-107 B
Fee: 7, 000 (inclusive of light snacks, handouts, use of equipment, UPFI workshop kits, and certificates.)

Sound & Music Design for Film: Indigenous Filipino Music & World Chants is a workshop for those who are interested in exploring sound-emotionscapes for film, including directing and/or creating music scores, inspired by traditional Filipino music and melodic chants from various parts of the globe. Participants go through the basics of hands-on film sound recording & sound manipulation, and, at the same time, learn Filipino melodic & rhythmic patterns, played on indigenous and modern instruments. If you are a musician, a music lover or film music enthusiast, this workshop is for you.

For workshop queries:
Email: upfi_workshops@yahoo.com.ph
Call: 9263640/9262722 (Telefax)
Visit: http://www.upd.edu.ph/~film_institute/

INDIE FILM PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP (UPFI MULTIMEDIA WORKSHOP 2007)

Facilitator: Cynthia Cruz-Paz
Dates; May 19,20,26 (Sat,Sun,Sat.)
Time; 1:00- 6:00 pm Venue: Videotheque
Fee: P4,750. (inclusive of light snacks, handouts, use of equipment, UPFI workshop kits, and certificates.)

Indie Film Production Management workshop examines the role of the production manager in an independent film production. It emphasizes both theoretical and practical matters involved in a production’s logistical management, including script breakdown and analysis, scheduling workflow, budgeting, and acquisition of personnel and facilities. Exercises lead to a hands-on understanding of the actual producing and managing of a digital movie.

For workshop queries:
Email: upfi_workshops@yahoo.com.ph
Call: 9263640/9262722 (Telefax)
Visit: http://www.upd.edu.ph/~film_institute/