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/

DOCUMENTARY PRODUCTION (UPFI MULTIMEDIA WORKSHOP 2007)

Facilitator ; Milo Paz
Dates; May 14-19 (Mon to Sat)
Time; 9:00-5:00 pm. Venue: Videotheque
Fee: P8,000. (inclusive of light snacks, handouts, use of equipment, UPFI workshop kits, and certificates.)

Documentary Filmmaking is a workshop that introduces the participants to the history, sub-genres (e.g., cinema verité, ethnographic documentary, travelogue, docu-drama, mockumentary, etc.), techniques, and aesthetics of the documentary. It equips the participants with skills in using video and sound equipment, in the context of documentary filmmaking individually or with a crew.

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

ART AND ANIMATION (UPFI MULTIMEDIA WORKSHOP 2007)

Facilitator; Roxlee and Pinoy Animagination
Dates; May 7-19 (Mon to Sat)
Time; 10:00 am to 6 pm. Venue: CMC A 107-B or Videoteque, (TBC)
Fee: P12,000. (inclusive of light snacks, handouts, use of equipment, UPFI workshop kits, and certificates.)

Art & Animation is a workshop that equips the participants’ eyes, hands, and imaginations, like no other animation workshop in town can do. It aims to hone students’ skills to create animated works using materials that range from everyday things to new technologies. In this workshop, participants are introduced to various media and techniques of animation, such as flipbook, thumbnail & storyboards; cut-outs, collage & silhouette; found object assemblage & clay; paint-on-glass & colored sand; and others.

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