They are working, ‘not doing publicity’

LYN RILLON

“We’re here to work, to shoot the movie, not to do publicity,” said Frank Marshall, coproducer of the spy-thriller “Bourne Legacy,” when asked about restrictions apparently imposed on local media members covering the filming in Manila.

Marshall and coproducer Pat Crowley met with a small group of entertainment writers at the Mandarin Oriental Manila in Makati City on Tuesday afternoon. Lope Juban Jr., who runs Philippine Film Studio Inc. or PFSI, the film’s local producer, was present.

“When we hit that phase of publicity, which will be in September or October, we’ll be happy to talk about the movie. Right now, the actors are focused on what they’re here to do—to play their characters,” added Marshall, who has over 70 film titles to his credit, including David Fincher’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” “The Bourne Legacy,” directed by Tony Gilroy, will premiere in the United States August 3.

Unlike Filipino actors who are used to filming for one whole day, Juban said, Hollywood actors work for a maximum of 10 hours a day. “This means every minute is important,” he explained. “The actors get to rest for just a short while.”

Closed set

ARNOLD ALMACEN

Juban added: “Hollywood movies generally have a closed set. And while news stories and photos would help promote the film, this is really not the work of the production team currently in the country, but of another group of experts—the marketing department.”

Juban clarified that actors Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz, who have been working here since January 11, were never told not to talk with the local press. “If you get to see them outside the set and they agree to have their pictures taken, you can very well do so,” he said.

Renner and Weisz play Aaron Cross and Stephanie Snyder, respectively. Also here in Manila is Japanese-American actor Louie Cheng Chien.

Edward Norton, an Academy Award nominee for best supporting actor, is expected to arrive soon, but will stay here only for a day, said Crowley.

RODEL ROTONI

No interviews will be granted to any TV network or newspaper during the actors’ 35-day stay in the country, Crowley stressed. “They’re very busy,” he said. “We didn’t do interviews in the other countries we filmed at. It’s always because of time constraints.”

Crowley produced the first three “Bourne” series. He was executive producer of classics like “Sleepless in Seattle” and “Legends of the Fall.”

“The Bourne Legacy,” a Universal Pictures production, earlier filmed in South Korea, Canada, the United States and India, added Crowley. Some parts will be shot in El Nido, a town in Palawan.

Crowley said a total of 350 Filipino production crew members were hired to work on the film.