Director ‘weighed things carefully’ before bolting GMA 7
Just a day after the successful run of GMA 7’s period drama series, “Amaya,” on January 13, its director, Mac Alejandre, inked an exclusive, four-year contract with TV5.
The contract signing, held at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City, was attended by TV5 president and CEO Ray Espinosa, executive vice president and COO Roberto Barreiro and head of creative and entertainment production Perci Intalan.
Right time
Alejandre, who has spent the last 13 years directing TV series and films for GMA 7, told the Inquirer in a phone interview that his decision to accept TV5’s offer was made two days before the contract signing. He said he “thought about everything carefully and weighed a lot of things,” including a counteroffer from GMA 7 that he “respectfully declined.”
He said he realized it was “the right time and chance to make a professional career move … to try something new and do it in another network.”
While he’s proud of what he has achieved with the Kapuso network, Alejandre feels that moving to TV5 will give him the growth he’s been seeking.
For his first project with the Kapatid network, Alejandre will direct the coming teleserye “Nandito Ako,” which will feature “American Idol” season 7 (2008) runner-up David Archuleta, and homegrown Kapatid talents Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Eula Caballero.
Alejandre will also work as a talent development consultant and direct movies for TV5’s film production arm. However, he stressed that he can still do films for GMA 7 and other outfits.
“Paninindigan ko ang commitment ko sa GMA 7 at lahat ng mga natanguhan ko na,” said Alejandre. “In fact I’ll be doing a film for GMA this year.”
Meanwhile, when asked why they only signed Alejandre as a TV exclusive, creative head Intalan told the Inquirer that they wanted to give the director some breathing space and the chance to express himself in other avenues.
Were there hard feelings over his decision to leave GMA 7?
“I had several talks and meetings with GMA bosses,” he said. “I think naintindihan naman nila ako. I have served GMA for 13 years. And, in my mind, I’ve served the network well.”
