Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado's film company, Brightburn Entertainment, was born out of their shared love for their craft.
Read: DenJen love story: from first breakup and reconciliation to the weddingjen
Both known for their acclaimed talent for drama, their new roles as producers allow them to be hands on in the whole creative process of filmmaking.
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and a select group of entertainment editors and reporters interviewed the couple at the launch of Dyln Style Lounge at Maginhawa Street, Quezon City, on Saturday, November 30, 2024.
Talking about their new venture, Dennis said, "Ngayon masaya. Yung mga ideas namin nabo-voice out na namin.
"And nagma-materialize into projects yung mga gusto naming gawin na di namin nagawa nung mga artista kami."
On being a producer, Jennylyn excitedly remarked, "Nakakakilig!"
Dennis is the CEO, while Jennylyn is the president of Brightburn.
Their managers Katrina Aguila and Jan Enriquez are also part of the company.
Dennis went on to say that a lot of potential projects have been pitched to them, and they have been very involved in screening them.
"Siguro yung pinaka-challenge doon ay yung sa dami ng mga nag-pitch ng project, kailangan talaga piliin namin nang mabuti yung mga gagawin namin.
"Dahil siyempre kailangan makuha rin namin yung tamang timpla, magawa namin yung mga tamang timpla ng proyekto na mag-a-appeal sa mga manonood."
In the case of other film companies, there are instances when the lead star is handpicked first before creatives conceptualize a story fit for the celebrity.
But for both Jennylyn and Dennis, they'd rather have a solid concept before casting a lead star of a potential movie.
Describing how she visualizes characters while reading a script or story concept, Jennylyn explained, "Siguro project, kasi pagka minsan, pagka binabasa mo yung story, 'Parang si ano yung bagay dito. Parang siya to.'"
Dennis added, "Ang importante may kuwento muna, and then saka namin ima-match kung sino yung mga bagay sa mga characters."
THEIR VISION FOR BRIGHTBURN ENTERTAINMENT
Asked what they think would be the trademark of Brightburn in the films that they'll produce, Dennis said it would be a mix of out-of-the box films and projects with commercial appeal.
"Ayaw naman namin i-limit yung sarili namin sa mga indie dahil siyempre business pa rin siya and kailangan namin maging mainstream," Dennis said.
Jan, one of their managers, chimed in, "Dalawang phase kasi yan.
"Yung first phase would be projects that they want to really do. Yung mga dream projects nila, mga hindi na-pitch sa amin in any point.
"And second phase, yung projects na literal na producer hat lang sila. Hindi sila kailangan bida."
Dennis agreed, "Gusto rin namin yun, wala kami sa project. Siguro cameo lang kami."
Asked if Dennis considers directing a film, he replied, "Noon pa. Ayoko lang madiliin dahil siyempre maraming kailangang matutunan.
"Hanggang ngayon patuloy pa rin nag-aaral."
Would Jennylyn be the first celebrity that he'd direct in a film?
When Dennis paused to think of an answer, Jennylyn exclaimed in between laughs, "Music video! Baka yung single ko baka siya ang mag-direct. Hindi natin masabi. Kung mapapayag ko siya."
She was referring to her plan to release an album composed of original songs in 2025.
Read: Jennylyn Mercado shares secret to stress management
GREEN BONES as brightburn's first movie
As for Brightburn's first project, Dennis and Jennylyn are proud that they are co-producing Green Bones, one of the entries for 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
"Masuwerte kami na yung pinakaunang project ng Brightburn yung Green Bones.
"Nauna yung project. Sobrang naniniwala ako sa project na gusto namin maging partners sa pagbuo ng pelikula."
Dennis explained that it was their company that initiated to co-produce with GMA Pictures.
"Gusto namin kasi siyempre ito yung time para mag-produce ka ng pelikula. Ito yung season na pinakamaraming nanonood ng pelikula, talagang lumalabas sila para manood ng pelikula.
"Yung iba parang ritual na nila na manood ng lahat ng movies.
"Kaya thank you kay Ms. Annette Gozon, pinayagan niya kaming makipag-co-produce."
Annette Gozon-Valdes is the president of GMA Pictures, the film company arm of GMA Network.
Dennis and Ruru Madrid are the lead stars of Green Bones.
The trailer of the movie shows that Ruru plays an upright policeman who's out to uncover what he believes are suspicious activities of Dennis's character, a hardened criminal serving sentence in prison.
Talking about their reaction when the film was announced as one of MMFF 2024's entries, Jennylyn said, "Kasi alam ko, isa to sa mga pinakaunang in-announce na entries."
Dennis added, "Parang doon pa lang, feeling namin, winner na kami. Dahil nung unang in-announce lima pa lang [na script submissions]."
Read: Drama King Dennis Trillo atop his mountain retreat
PROJECT FOR 2025
Asked about what's in store for them in 2025, Jennylyn happily shared that she and Dennis are headlining Everything About My Wife, a romantic-comedy film produced by GMA Pictures.
As early as March 2024, Jennylyn was quoted as saying in a report from 24 Oras that the film is about a married couple who's at odds with each other.
It would be their reunion project nearly 10 years after they starred in the Kapuso drama series My Faithful Husband.
When prodded if they're doing a series together, the two just smiled then said that they are open to that possibility.