Award-winning director Erik Matti expressed his frustrations on Facebook, targeting individuals he claims misuse the Eddie Garcia Law (EGL) to avoid responsibilities on film sets.
The director, known for his critically acclaimed work ‘On the Job: The Missing 8’, criticized these workers for allegedly exploiting the law to justify laziness and hinder productivity.
In his post, Matti used strong hashtags like #Bawalkupal, #onlyteamplayersallowed, and #notoEGLexploiters, signaling his stance against what he described as a growing problem in the industry.
“The EGL sets the limit,” Matti wrote. “But together with that, we also need to be responsible for telling the story we set out to do within those limits and not compromise it for the handful with their own preferred conveniences or laziness.”
He emphasized that making films is already challenging, and the last thing the industry needs is workers who make production more difficult.
“Filmmaking is hard enough these days. We don’t need people like them to make things harder for the industry. If they choose to not be on set despite giving them everything the EGL asks, then they would be better off in a 9-5 job where they can just show up and wait for office hours to finish,” Matti added.
Matti highlighted that filmmaking requires a team of dedicated individuals with a shared passion for storytelling. He warned that those who are only in the industry to make a living without contributing creatively should consider other career paths.
“Making films is about gathering a group of creative and technical people passionate enough to tell a story they collectively feel worth telling,” he explained. “If you just want to make a living and don’t have the energy to create and execute it well, there are other jobs that pay better and aren’t as demanding.”
Matti urged fellow filmmakers to unite and blacklist problematic workers who disrupt production.
“To producers and directors who adhere to the EGL but are bogged down by film workers who still make our lives difficult, PM me privately. I know a few names that we should not work with,” he stated.
Matti likened the challenges of filmmaking to “going to war,” underscoring the importance of collaboration and dedication in producing quality films.
The Eddie Garcia Law, named after the late veteran actor, was enacted in May 2024 to improve working conditions for entertainment industry workers. It mandates a maximum of 14 working hours per day and 60 hours per week, with required rest periods between shifts. The law also includes wage regulations, social security, and other welfare benefits.
While the law aims to protect workers, it has led to some friction in the industry. Some professionals are still adjusting to its provisions, while others have reportedly used it to create additional challenges on set.
