From left: Adolf Alix Jr., EA Guzman, Gina Alajar, Ricky Davao and Joel Saracho
As actor-directors, Ricky Davao and Gina Alajar make sure to compartmentalize and stick to the job they were hired for. If they’re in a project as a director, they direct; if they’re there as an actor, they act.
“Kapag artista ako, artista ako. Bahala s’ya diyan, ’di ba? Ayoko ng sakit ng ulo!” Alajar told the Inquirer at a recent story conference for “Karnabal,” an upcoming suspense drama film that will be shot in one take by Adolf Alix Jr. “But of course, as an actress, I ask about what I have to do and how to do it.”
In a way, acting has become a breather of sorts for Davao, who directs television series for GMA 7. “Being a director is difficult because you have to know everything. You have to be the solution to every problem, whether you’re doing a movie or a series,” she said.
Davao is naturally inquisitive. He asks his director questions; he expresses his idea on how to tackle his character. But after his first directorial stint—for “Maalaala Mo Kaya” many years back—he took it upon himself to never cross the line between suggesting and imposing.
“After my first time directing, my view on directors and the craft changed. I had newfound respect even for directors whose works I didn’t really like much. It’s hard being a director. You have to define the beginning, the middle and end… and what the film aims to convey,” Davao told the Inquirer.
“Being a director is tough,” he added. “When you’re just a viewer, it’s easy to say, ‘It should have been done this way or that way,’ but it’s an entirely different thing once you’re on the set. That’s why I have nothing but respect for directors.”
But there was one funny and memorable instance, Davao recalled, when he and Alajar ended up directing each other for an episode of “Magpakailanman.”
Lino Brocka style of crying
“I was directing Gina. I was setting up the scene and was like, ‘O eto, dito ang pasok mo. Ganito, Gina.’ I was shaking. I think she noticed that I was frantic, so she looked at me and said, ‘Direk Ricky, watch and learn.’ So I go, ‘OK, kapag ready na si Direk Gina, tawagan niyo, take tayo!’” Davao related, laughing.
“But in all fairness, I was watching her job, directing the cameras—five, four, three, two, one, action! After the scene, she shouts, ‘OK, cut!’ And I thought, ‘Ang galing naman pala. May ‘K’ naman pala magsabi ng ‘Watch and learn,’” he added.
They wouldn’t have done such a thing to any other director though. Davao and Alajar have been good friends for a long time. And one way they entertain and challenge themselves on the set—back when they were full-time actors and have yet to try directing—was daring each other to pull off the Lino Brocka one-eye, one-tear style of crying.
“It was just joking with him. It all started with Lino Brocka, who would tell us to cry only from one eye, either left or right. He did it because he wanted to capture the tears where the lights were. Sayang naman ang luha if ’di kita. So when Ricky and I act together, say in a telesine, magpupustahan kami,” Alajar related.
“‘O, saan mo papatuluin, sa kaliwa or kanan?’ Davao would ask me. “Kanan,” I would say. So I would let the tear fall from my right eye. And he would go, ‘Hmmp, yabang!’”
“But that’s just our way of teasing each other. We know each other really well, so I already know what he wants from me when he’s the one directing me. ‘Huwag mo na akong bigyan ng instructions, mapapagod ka lang,’ I would say jokingly. ‘Anyway, I already know what you want… so watch and learn ka na lang!’”
Meanwhile, Alix said he’s grateful that he has never been in a situation in which his vision as director was challenged or put into question by an actor he’s directing.
“In fairness, I have never encountered actor-directors who meddle with my job. I expect that, when they’re there as actors, they do their part as actors. Sometimes, they’re just curious about the process, how things are done or mounted… But I have never experienced someone imposing something on me,” he said.
Ambitious undertaking
Produced by BC Entertainment, “Karnabal” follows Caloy (EA Guzman), who goes berserk, climbs atop a billboard on Edsa, and threatens to jump off. As the reasons behind his act unravel, viewers will get a glimpse of the drama from different sides of the bedlam—from Caloy’s wife, his mother, his angry supervisor and a crowd of bystanders.
Alajar plays a reporter; and Davao, a barangay captain. The film also features Cannes best actress Jaclyn Jose and veteran stage actor Joel Saracho.
The entire movie will be shot in real-time in one long take—at least one hour and 30 minutes, Alix said. Needless to say, the film is ambitious and a challenging undertaking. One big mistake and everyone will have to start from the top.
“You will get to see how the whole team works—the director of photography, camera operator, sound man. Everyone will be on his toes, because we only have one take,” said Alix, who’s eyeing the Edsa-Guadalupe area for the shoot.
And for the actors, doing the film will be like doing a play, almost—but in a much bigger acting space. Once the cameras start rolling, there’s no letting go of the roles.
“It’s exciting because you feel what all the characters feel without cuts. It will be interesting to see the actors and how it all works out—if will they be able to sustain the character… that kind of dynamic. You will know how good and dedicated they are to their craft and their characters,” Alix said. INQ