On August 19, Vivamax COO and president, Vincent Del Rosario believes on social media influencers could also thrive in the acting industry. He revealed they are trying to have Zeinab Harake and Donnalyn Bartolome be part of upcoming projects.
Del Rosario in the virtual press conference Vivamaxxed admitted he saw potential from internet personalities since Vivamax already had some of them go straight into titular roles, like Sunshine Guimary, who did great in her film Kaka.
“Nakagawa na kami, and very successful yung Kaka ni Sunshine Guimary. Si Sunshine is a renowned Instagrammer. From Instagram, diretso to [a] leading role. Hindi dumaan sa TV yan, hindi dumaan sa soap. Hindi nag teatro,” he explained.
The success brought to them by Guimary opened their eyes to the potential of social media influencers to become movie or TV stars. Even their leading filmmaker, Darryl Yap, went straight from making content on Facebook to Vivamax movies.
“S’yempre alam niyo naman si Daryl Yap ay anak, creation ng social media. So, he’s very busy now directing movies for us.”
Vivamax already reached out to Zeinab Harake, a YouTube personality.
In their talks last year, they offered her to be part of Paglaki Ko Gusto Kong Maging Pornstar. However, Harake declined.
“Si Zeinab, nakausap namin last year. We asked her if she wanted to be a part of ‘yung initial offering namin yung Pornstar. She begged off.”
But it does not mean Vivamax will not look for projects for Harake as Del Rosario concluded that the reason why the social media star refused the offer is because of her being pregnant.
“Maybe because ayun magkaka-baby s’ya. Hindi ko alam eh. I saw on social media that she’s given birth. So that could be a reason,” he thought.
Apart from Harake, Vivamax is currently in the works of searching for materials to offer to Donnalyn Bartolome, another Internet star. Del Rosario also revealed how Bartolome should have been included in a movie they just finished. Unfortunately, its production was set during her birthday week.
“Si Donnalyn naman ay patuloy kaming naghahanap ng projects for her. Yung isang movie na natapos namin dapat part siya nun.
“Kaya lang nataon parang birthday week niya noon so hindi niya nagawa. So kasama yun sa aming ano, pinaghahanapan ng projects yung mga galling sa social media,” Del Rosario revealed.
Over P1 billion is Vivamax’s project for 2021.
One reason why Vivamax is brave enough to have influencers be part of future projects is that they have ample resources.
Del Rosario revealed in the virtual press conference that Vivamax is willing to spend “$20 million or P1 billion to produce content that’s outside the cost” of running the company as part of Boss Vic Del Rosario’s offer to Filipinos.
“… commitment na talagang gusto ni Boss Vic i-flowback sa mga Pinoy to do content.”
Furthermore, Vivamax’s president assured Filipinos that his streaming platform is “honest.”
“Our business units have been honest. Our live division, they’re doing content para sa Vivamax, yun po yung concerts na napapanuod n’yo.
“Yung TV production, na gumagawa ng mga programs para sa mga network, ay gumagawa din para sa Vivamax. Ganun din po yung records division, artist management,” he said.
A billion budget also meant Vivamax is currently on the lookout for breakout stars and stars from the past to lead their upcoming projects, along with their intent to provide jobs for Filipinos.
“Mas marami kaming nabibigyan ng trabaho sa mga artista namin. Kaya nakikita n’yo we’re launching new stars. We’re re-launching stars before from the past.”
