Breakout roles create stars; focus, timing spell success

MARTIN Escudero in “Zombadings”

New stars and starlets yearn to be given so-called breakout or breakthrough roles—major or at least attention-calling parts in TV series or movies designed to showcase them in a special way, or to kick their careers up to the next level.

Recent breakthrough stars include Martin Escudero in “Zombadings” and Vice Ganda in “Praybeyt Benjamin.” They are currently regarded as two of the top comers on the TV and film scenes—who, thanks to their success this year, are gearing up for even bigger triumphs next season.

Another young talent who broke through earlier this year is Alwyn Uytingco, who played  the black sheep in a dysfunctional family on Nora Aunor’s  comeback drama series, “Sa Ngalan ng Ina.”

But the effectivity of his bid for stardom was diminished because he had to “share” that spotlight with other young comers. Even if they didn’t make as big and good an impression as he did, he still got lost in the crowd at times. In breakthrough bids, that won’t do.

Other observations: The same now holds true for Martin Escudero, whose big win via “Zombadings” has also been abridged due to his poor choice of follow-up project, the new TV series, “P.S. I Love You.”

Like Alwyn, Martin has to share the spotlight on “P.S.” with other comers, so his new portrayal’s impact is much less distinctive and assertive than his sizzling solo turn in “Zombadings.”

The young actor really should have waited for another solo showcase, rather than agreeing to be just part of the “also starring” crowd on “P.S.”

Incidentally, another new talent is getting his big break on “P.S.”—AJ Muhlach, Aga’s half-sibling, who’s cast in the potentially star-making role of Gabby Concepcion’s unhappy and rebellious son. However, he’s having a hard time shining through in the “overcrowded” new series—so, that’s another golden opportunity that could end up as less than stellar.

New talents and their handlers really have to know the importance of timing and showcasing in starlets’ career development—and, as in Martin’s case, what to do after the new talent’s initial breakthrough gambit has proven to be successful.

When young comers like AJ have to compete with others in the same show, they can’t really heat up their careers as potential stars should, even if they stand on their heads while juggling a half-dozen squealing, pink piglets. Lesson learned.

Truly, achieving breakthrough status is only the first step in the star-making process. The tougher task is how to build on that initial triumph, until viewers and the TV/film industry’s movers and shakers regard you as more than just a one-shot, overnight success story.

Take Vice Ganda. He clicked big-time on TV’s “Showtime,” but he waited and waited before coming up with his first film starrer, which did very well at the tills.

However, instead of accepting all the offers that came his way, he waited some more before he starred in his second movie, “Praybeyt Benjamin,” which was a “monster” triumph—because he knew how to wait, focus and follow up to his best advantage. Hopefully, another lesson learned?