PEP also asked Pats Ranyo, the name he uses in film credits, if he experiences the same challenge in editing a musical film like he does in a non-musical feature.
"I'm enjoying the work, so far," Jerrold began his quite-lengthy explanation.
"Editing a musical is pretty much the same as editing a non-musical, with the obvious exception of having strict beats to follow whenever there are production numbers. Alam mo dapat kung saan ang downbeat or kung kelan syncopated yung cut or yung kanta. Alam mo dapat yung time signature para puwedeng mag-sync yung pacing ng cut. You also have to be more careful with the choreography. I guess dito papasok yung musical training ko. But the act of editing itself, of constructing the film, I also consider that a musical endeavor.
"As for the actual music in the film, mga drafts pa lang yung nakalatag sa film so I'm really looking forward to hearing [composer] Chino Toledo's [Emir's musical director] final orchestration. He's been my idol since college and his music was an early inspiration for Mangatyanan."
WORKING WITH DIRECTOR CHITO ROÑO. On working with-and-for the multi-awarded veteran filmmaker, Chito Rono, it was an opportunity that a promising filmmaker would not miss.
"I really admire Mr. Roño's dedication to [his] craft and feel honored to be working with him. I'm learning a lot from his shot choices and the way he stages his scenes. Nakakabusog yung frame.
"So far, it's been a healthy collaboration and I'm having fun working and learning at the same time," he said, adding in jest, "Baka may nakawin akong shot pag nag-shoot na kami ng high school film this summer."
Emir, the musical film, is a co-production of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). It stars young singer-actress, Frenchesca Farr, last year's grand prize winner in GMA-7's talent search, Are You The Next Big Star?
On the lead star, Jerrold had this to say:
"Franchesca Farr, I hope I spelled her name right, is really good in the lead role. She reminds me of the old days when people weren't just good-looking but talented as well. Bihira na yung ganun ngayon. Nowadays itsura na lang [ang] importante kaya halos magkakamukha ang mga artista."
(PEP decided to publish the way Jerrold spelled Frenchesca's name.)
He continued, "But Ms. Farr carries the film really well. Maybe in the future, if I get more chances to make films, I'll try to cast her as well. Who knows?"
