Zaijian Jaranilla (left) lends his voice for Nico (inset), the main character of the Metro Manila Film Festival entry RPG Metanoia. This animated film will be the first 3D film produced here in the Philippines. It is directed by Louie Suarez (middle) and will feature the voice of Mika dela Cruz (right), along with big stars.
Zaijian Jaranilla lends his voice for first locally produced 3D film titled RPG Metanoia
Thursday, August 12, 2010
09:00 AM
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Come December 2010, viewers will be able to watch the first 3D animated film produced by Filipinos. RPG Metanoia, co-produced by Star Cinema and Ambient Media, is one of eight films that will compete in the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival. (CLICK HERE to view the complete list of entries to the 2010 MMFF.)
This groundbreaking movie will mark the Philippines' first salvo into the three-dimensional film genre, an industry that is all the rage in Hollywood.
During the 34th MMFF, Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia was the first full-length animated film included as an entry to the annual filmfest. Cutting Edge Productions produced this film that took home four awards; namely, Best Visual Effects, Best Musical Score, Best Theme Song, and Best Sound. Aside from Dayo, other full-length animated films released in the Philippines were Isko: Adventures in Animasia (1995), Ibong Adarna (1997), and Urduja (2008).
Last August 10, a contract signing took place at the ELJ Building in the ABS-CBN compound attended by ABS-CBN President Charo Santos-Concio, Star Cinema managing director Malou Santos, Star Records managing director Annabelle Regalado-Borja, Ambient Media executives Robert Chien and Charles Rapaport, as well as RPG Metanoia director Louie Suarez. Some of the voice talents in the film, such as Zaijian Jaranilla and Mika dela Cruz, were also present that day to witness the official launch of the movie's website.
According to Chien of Ambient Media, they have around 26 animators who worked on this 3D animated film. He told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that they've already done a test of the stereoscopic technology in a theater where they used 3D glasses to view several sequences of the film.
"Every part of the virtual world will be in 3D. Around 50 percent of the movie will be in 3D," said Chien, who is the husband of Filipino international artist Lea Salonga.
FOUR YEARS IN THE MAKING. Direk Louie says that they started conceptualizing this animated film four years ago. In fact, they even released a teaser of the film way back in 2008.
He also informed PEP that the animation process is 100 percent complete but they have yet to complete the dubbing of the actors' voices.
RPG Metanoia tells the story of Nico (voiced by Zaijian Jaranilla), a young boy fond of online games because of the influence of his OFW father (voiced by Aga Muhlach). But Nico's mother (voiced by Eugene Domingo) cannot relate to her son's passion for video games.
Vhong Navarro is cast in this movie as an Internet shop owner who may be a reflection of Nico's future if Nico continues to be obsessed with online video games. Child stars Jairus Aquino, Aaron Junatas, and Basty Alcanses are also part of the film, as friends of Nico.
Zaijian is glad to be voicing an animated character similar to the ones that he used to watch only on television.
"Masaya po ako kasi kung dati nanonood lang ako ng Cartoon Network, tapos ngayon, nagda-dubbing na kami, tapos ako pa yung bida sa animated movie," said the young actor, who is currently part of the primetime series Noah.
Can he relate to his character in the movie?
"Opo, kasi mahilig din ako maglaro ng computer games tulad ng DOTA. Si Nico, isa siyang batang ayaw maglaro sa labas, tapos laro lang siya nang laro ng computer niya sa loob ng bahay."
He points out the vast difference between his characters in Noah and in RPG Metanoia. "Si Eli [sa Noah], taong bundok, mahilig mag-baging at hinahanap yung tatay niya. Si Nico, may powers."
In the movie, his character Nico possesses an enchanted yoyo. If Zaijian could have a special power, what special ability would he want to possess?
"Tulad ni Spiderman, pag may masamang tao, paparusahan ko siya at sasaputan!"
Child actress Mika dela Cruz is cast as May, an online gamer who happens to be the crush of Nico's character.
"Proud na proud po ako kasi kami ng mga kapatid ko, talagang mahilig po kami sa computer. Talagang download kami nang download sa Internet. Itong movie namin tungkol sa world ng computer at kabaliktaran siya ng ginagawa ko sa Goin' Bulilit. Kasi tungkol naman yun sa world ng mga bata na mahilig magpatintero, ganun. Sa RPG Metanoia kasi, yung character ko, pinipilit ko siya maglaro sa labas," says the younger sister of actress Angelika dela Cruz.
RPG stands for "role-playing game." Here, the player can create his/her own adventure. Direk Louie says that RPG Metanoia will show how young Pinoy kids today have evolved to become tech savvy and immersed in online games. However, the movie will also reintroduce viewers to traditional Filipino games such as the yoyo.
"Overwhelmed ako kasi dream come true ito para sa amin," says Direk Louie. "Four years ago pa kami nag-start, so hindi kami makapaniwala na nandito na kami sa point na ito. Sobra kaming proud kasi nung sinimulan namin ang project, gusto lang namin magbigay ng something new sa viewing public at makapag-contribute sa industry na matagal na kaming part of."
He added, "Sana maka-inspire pa ito ng ibang animators na gumawa ng original content dito sa Philippines."
The music video of RPG Metanoia will be launched by August 19. The song is a collaboration among Kean Cipriano of Callalily, Ney Dimaculangan of 6Cylemind, and Tutti Caringal of Protein Shake. The movie's soundtrack will soon be released in record bars.
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