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Sockie Fernandez on directing Gulong(Philippine Daily Inquirer Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) AFTER MAKING A NAME FOR herself as a director of TV commercials, Sockie Fernandez has invaded the world of independent filmmaking with her first feature length movie, Gulong, one of the nine official entries to the 2007 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. Jeanne Lim wrote the screenplay, her first appearance in the annual indie festival. It stars Barbara Perez, Robert Arevalo, Gary Valenciano, Gardo Verzosa, Ina Feleo, Lou Veloso, Odette Khan, Tricia Amper-Jimenez, Sheila Francisco and child actors Steven Fermo, Jorge Concordia, David Medina and Ignacius Flores. First feature film According to Sockie, the project fell into her lap when Cinemalyas Laurice Guillen called her up to ask if she was interested in directing the film. Her name was suggested by NUT, one of the Cinemalaya judges who was impressed by the story of her own entry, Jessa, a musical about a female Jesus Christ. Although Jessa didnt make it to the final 10, Sockie was being given the opportunity to participate in the film fest. Although this is her first feature film, she has already done a short film Liyab which won at the Cinemanila Filmfest as well as an Urian award. The film was also shown at the Cannes Film Festival. Sockie says Gulong is not your typical indie film. This one says that one can go though life like a wheel. I thought of doing it with images that were almost idyllic, presenting the children with their innocence and naughtiness. When it came to casting the movie, Sockie cast Barbara Perez and Robert Arevalo in the key roles of the old estranged sweethearts who are finally brought together again by the iconic bicycle in the movie. Gary Valencano plays Roberts sonan unexpected bit of casting. Sockie explains: I was not sure at first. I knew him as a singer and a dancer. But, when I talked to him, he agreed to come out as Gary the person and not Gary the singer. I think he did a good job. Sockie had no problem picking three of the children in the movie, but when it came to the lead, it took her a while. I wanted someone who was not overexposed, who acted well, looked innocent and mabait. It was a critical role because the story is told from the boys point of view. At the eleventh hour, Steven Fermo came along. Hes never done a movie, but hes intelligent, innocent, and has a good heart. Its usually hard to direct children but Sockie says, You dont direct children, you let them handle you. I like shooting intelligent kids. You cannot tell them how to act. You let them understand their roles, their characters persona. And they take it from there. Requirements When it came to the movies budgetary requirements, Sockie says she had to use 20 years of goodwill she accumulated as a director of commercials to finish the movie. And she used her own money to help make the film a reality. (My bank balance is now 0!) She looked around for a co-producer to share the burden, and found him in Butch Jimenez. I sent him the script. He liked it and told me it was a film that had to be made. It turned out that he was looking for a positive film about children, a film that he could pass on to his son. Gulong was about children doing the right thing and he liked the idea. What Sockie admires about Butch is that he gave her full creative control over the project. With the additional funding and discounted rates from suppliers and production staff, Sockie managed to raise the film to a higher level. She used a Panasonic Varicam, which is top of the line in digital filmmaking. With award winning cinematographer Lee Meily handling the equipment, Sockie was able to get the idyllic look that she wanted. Adjustments However, she admits to making some adjustments when it came to the shooting schedule. Unlike commercials, where she had the luxury of a big budget, an indie film was different. She allotted 11 days for the shoot and was able to achieve her target. Sockie says she now has a lot of respect for indie filmmakers. She realizes how difficult it is to make a full-length movie. Shes looking forward to doing her next one. Gulong will have a gala screening on Sunday, July 22 at the CCP Main Theater. Copyright 2007 INQ7 Interactive Inc, Source: The Financial Times Limited |