ten, again

Every experience teaches you a lot of lessons. Doing Cartas de la Soledad surely was an excruciating journey but one with tons of valuable lessons. So in the tradition of Limbunan where I listed ten lessons learned, I'm listing not-so-new things that I've realized while doing my latest film.

1. Location is key.
2. Sound will make or break your film.
3. You are bound to make a lot of bad decisions. Blame nobody but yourself. Treat it as an opportunity for growth.
4. Do not cut corners, especially on very crucial matters (like sound).
5. Trust people to do their job well.
6. DSLR is not a magic wand. If it is, it means that the sorcerer is still the master.
7. Sleep is important.
8. Relegate tasks.
9. There should be life outside film.
10. Be realistic when it comes to finances.

gala

I'm inviting everyone to the gala presentation of Cartas de la Soledad on November 12, 9pm at the Shangrila Cineplex in Mandaluyong City. If anyone wants a free ticket, just leave a message before Friday. Here's a sneak peek of the film.


Trailer - Cartas de la Soledad from Bidadali House on Vimeo.

cartas desde el infierno

The past few weeks have been hell. As the Cinema One Originals 2011 Digital Film Festival draws closer, I feel my entry Cartas de la Soledad is falling apart, slowly, bit by bit. There have been a lot of last-minute decisions. Not that I regret any of them, but they are agonizing to say the least. Heaven must be punishing me for my sacrilege. My film is transforming into Cartas desde el infierno. 

Until last Thursday, there was no opening sequence to speak of. We shot and re-shot various opening sequences. But none satisfied my producer Sherad for most part and ball-less as I have become, myself too. Or is it because I cannot defend my earlier choice for an opening sequence? I'm not sure if the opening sequence that we have now is even it. The sound design is something. We have to dub a lot of scenes because of the noise, bus tracks and screaming children mostly. Color grading is yet to start. The closing sequence. It's another problem. Is it too contrived? Or too artsy-fartsy? I  don't know. My balls are stuck in my throat right now. I cannot breathe.

The gala presentation is five days away. We're not done yet. I'm writing this as my sound designer figures out what termite sounds like. I'm slowly dying inside and I'm pretty sure I'm going straight to hell.