Para sa kanyang unang pelikula, kinuwento ni Francis Pasion
ang mahabang proseso na ginawa niya upang mabuo ang pelikulang Jay, na
magkakaroon ng gala night ngayong gabi, July 12, sa Cultural Center of the
Philippines. Ang Jay ay isa sa sampung full-length feature films na
maglalaban-laban para sa P200,000 cash prize plus a Cinemalaya trophy na
igagawad sa closing ceremony sa July 20, 2008. Ito ay pinagbibidahan ni Baron
Geisler, Coco Martin, Flor Salanga, at ilang mga Kapampangan actors.
"Baron was never considered for the role," kuwento ni Direk Francis sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) through email. "We thought that he was too ‘rough' for the role," At that time, we thought he was being ‘groomed' by ABS-CBN to be the next Robin Padilla.
"He auditioned for the role, along with other named actors. He secured the part because of his sympathetic performance during the auditions. It was not a stereotypical portrayal of a gay role."
Ang nangyari pala'y nag-audition agad si Baron nang hindi pa nababasa ang script. Ang indie writer-director na si Aloy Adlawan ang nag-convince kay Baron na mag-audition. Dagdag pa ni Direk Francis, "Baron never underwent a workshop for his role. He just attended several readings of the script, conducted interviews [with gay media practitioners], and sported a new hairdo.
"He admitted that portraying the role of Jay, a homosexual TV reporter, was a very challenging role. Not only because it is a ‘gay role,' but he has to be convincing as a TV producer. The acting requires authenticity on many levels."
Narito ang synopsis ng pelikula: Jay refers to the two protagonists in the film. One is living, the other is dead. The living Jay is producing a documentary on the life of the dead Jay—a gay teacher who was brutally killed. As Jay recreates and examines the life of his subject, his own life is affected as he unravels his subject's hidden life and secret love.
The film tells us how media is able to create its own version of the truth. It challenges the audience to be critical and discerning of whatever they see on television or film. Not everything you see is truth.
Nagpakuwento rin ang PEP tungkol sa paggawa niya ng unang niyang pelikula. "They say my surname best describes me—Pasion. I always have a passion for cinema. I remember in high school, may typing class kami, we were all asked to write an application letter to our desired employer in the future.
"Ang tina-type ko ay application letter to be a director, pero hindi ko alam to whom will I send it. Mother Lily? Malou Santos?
"Good thing, there's Cinemalaya. We are given freedom to produce our own films. My passion for cinema was further solidified in college. I was an AB Communication student at the Ateneo. On our sophomore year, just after our exposure trip to Mt. Banahaw, me and a group of friends decided on establishing the first and only film organization sa Ateneo—the Loyola Film Center. They're sponsoring the premiere of the movie," pahayag ni Direk Francis. Nagdidirek na rin siya ng short films noong college, at naging headwriter and producer rin ng Nagmamahal, Kapamilya, a docu-drama program ng ABS-CBN.
Patuloy ni Direk Francis, "Nothing could prepare me for directing and producing for the first time. It was really a baptism of fire. At ramdam na ramdam ko ang apoy!
"It was an experience beyond compare. The challenges you have to hurdle. Up to now, when I look back, I don't know how I was able to finish the film on time. The biggest challenge is the lack of funds. We were only given P500,000 by Cinemalaya. How can you produce a movie with only half a million? So thankfully, the NCCA gave another 200,000. And other sponsors entrusted me with some of their money. I was not only responsible for the creative side of the film. I was also concerned with fundraising for my film.
"Sumulat ako ng solicitation letters and literally knocked at the doors of my prospects. It was a very humbling experience," lahad ni Direk Francis.
Ang location ng shooting ay sa lahar-buried town ng Bacolor, Pampanga, kunsaan, ayon pa rin kay Direk ay napakainit ng panahon kaya madali ding uminit ang ulo ng mga tao.
"Hindi sanay ang mga tao dun sa nagsu-shooting. They would complain about why it has to be that long. In one instance, yung lamay crowd namin just walked out dahil gusto na raw nilang matulog!
"But aside from the numerous glitches and challenges we had on the set. I believe that the surprises and the "miracles" we encountered far outweigh the problems.
"I felt that there was a Divine Hand guiding us," kuwento ni Direk Francis sa kanyang personal email sa PEP.
BASED ON REAL-LIFE INCIDENTS. "The film came to being because of my work as headwriter-producer of a public service program. Let me have a disclaimer that I am not really Jay—the character. His character is also borne out of my interviews with reporter friends—how they conduct their work. Jay is the embodiment of the collective experience of majority of reporters and producers.
"I was developing the story of how media could intrude into the lives of people. Then there was this big phenomenon of the PBB [Pinoy Big Brother] wherein the tables have turned and the people are ‘using' media for their popularity. Real people ‘performing' in front of cameras.
"Then a shocking news happened, the PDA [Pinoy Dream Academy] producer, Joel Siervo was brutally murdered inside his own apartment. I could remember that day distinctly because I was inside the PBB house and we were supposed to shoot the spiel of Bernadette Sembrano for Nagmamahal, Kapamilya."
Mr. Siervo was stabbed to death in his Quezon City home in November 2006.
"Everyone was in panic and Ms. Maru Benitez, one of the producers, came in panting. We were not aware that Joel, at that time, was already dead. It was only when we returned to our editing room that we heard the news.
"This incident prompted me to incorporate it in my screenplay. I wrote the script for a week. Then I skipped some office meetings just so I can meet the deadline. When I submitted the script, I was going back to the office, I realized, I didn't indicate my real name or any contact numbers on the scripts.
"A few months later, I was interviewing Boom Boom Bautista in Bohol [who lost to Mexican Daniel Ponce de Leon], I received a call from Cinemalaya. One of the staff knew me and remembered the black folder of my scripts. He asked about the title of my work. I said Jay and then he said I won in their contest.
"I submitted the screenplay to Cinemalaya. Out of 200 entries, we were chosen to be the Top 10 finalists. And the rest, as they say, is history," pagwawakas ni Direk Francis.
Mapapanood ang Jay sa Cultural Center of the Philippines hanggang July 20, 2008. Makikita DITO ang schedule ng mga screenings.