On January 23, actor Aga Muhlach discussed how budget constraints affect the quality and story of a movie.
During the media conference for Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Pipiliin at the Viva Cafe, which LionhearTV covered, Muhlach recounted his conversation with writers, who voiced their views about how budget limitations during production impact the quality of a movie.
“Sa tagal ko din sa industriya, you know writers naman sa pelikula. Ang sabi ko, ‘Bakit ang pelikula natin, kapag nanonood ako ng pelikula sa Netflix, sa sinehan, sa ganyan, parang minsan dadaanan mo sa DOP, sa director of photography, ang ganda-ganda.’ Bakit ang lines always falls flat, nagfa-flatten ‘yung storya, it’s always the same, dragging-dragging, ganiyan.
“And may sumagot sa akin, hindi ko na lang sasabihin kung sino, you can also attest to this also, na parang ‘yung writers kasi given the freedom kasi, schooling also, can really write a good story.”
He cited an example of a good story that would produce an exceptional movie but falls flat because of budget constraints, especially when it requires filming in various locations.
“But then comes in the budget restraints. Budget restraints talaga. But then may magsasabi rin talaga na pwede naman tayong gumawa ng low budget na pelikula na istorya, pero ilan lang ‘yan.
“Minsan kasi sa isang istorya mo, kailangan madaming location, kailangan mo ng madaming shots, kailangan mo ng madaming ganito, kailangan ng artista ng ganito, kailangan ng preparation nito. Pero, you’re working in a budget also, so it’s really hard.
“Kaya minsan, the way it’s written, the way it’s directed, not all ha, but some, falls flat. Kasi, ganyan ng ganyan na kailangan ipaliwanag, kailangan ipaliwanag sa dialogue, eh pwede namang ipakitang ginagawa ‘yan. Kasi mahal lang ‘yun.”
Their director, Denise O’Hara, agreed with Muhlach’s views, citing her job as a director to balance creative content and budget concerns.
“I mean, ‘yung struggle between ‘yung budget concern and creative content will always be there. So, you will always have to strike a balance. It’s frustrating sometimes. Pero, kailangan mo mag-strike ng balance kasi it comes with the job I think, of striking that balance.”
As for their film, Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Pipiliin stars Aga Muhlach and Julia Barreto.
Under the direction of Denise O’Hara, Ikaw Pa Rin ang Pipiliin, under Viva Films, opens in cinemas on February 7.
