Ricky Lee addresses criticism over selection process in his scriptwriting workshop
National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee addressed concerns online about the selection process for his free-for-all scriptwriting workshop, particularly comments questioning why established actors and industry personalities were among the chosen participants.
Lee’s statement came after netizens questioned the selected participants for the latest batch of the workshop, which includes known personalities like Cristine Reyes, Kylie Padilla, Kara David, JC Santos, and Romnick Sarmenta, among others.
In a statement on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Dec. 9, Lee explained that he and the selection committee prepared guidelines to ensure a fair and inclusive process for both established individuals and newcomers.
“Nilinaw namin sa selection committee ang guidelines sa pamimili. Na pantay-pantay ang karapatan ng lahat, whether celebrity, datihan, o baguhan, na matanggap. Basta qualified, gustong makapagsulat, at angkop sa gagawing mix ng bawat batch […] Binuksan sa lahat ang application upang bukod sa mga taga-industriya at mga kakilala na ay makapagpasok ng mga baguhang nagsisimula pa lang mangarap,” he wrote.
(We clarified to the selection committee the guidelines for selection, that everyone, whether celebrity, veteran, or novice, has an equal right to be accepted. As long as they are qualified, willing to write, and suitable for the mix of each batch […] The application was opened to everyone so that, in addition to industry insiders and acquaintances, newcomers who are just starting to dream can join.)
Lee emphasized that mixing participants from different backgrounds, for instance, from writers and non-writers to actors and technical crew members, has always been part of his workshop format as it “creates a more dynamic learning environment.”
“Maraming natanggap na taga-pelikula at marami ang hindi natanggap. Marami ang kaibigan at anak ng kaibigan ang hindi rin natanggap. Sa huli, ang pinairal ay kung qualified ba, at angkop sa mix. Sa naging final results, halos kalahati pa rin ng bawat batch ay mga baguhan,” he said.
(Many filmmakers were accepted and many were not chosen. Many friends and friends’ children also did not make it. In the end, what mattered was whether they were qualified and suitable for the mix. In the final results, almost half of each batch were still beginners.)
The award-winning screenwriter noted that more than 2,600 people applied, with over 200 qualifying in Batches 30 and 31 alone, hence the creation of Batch 32. Lee acknowledged the disappointment of those not selected as he appealed for the public to trust the selection process.
“More than four decades ko na itong ginagawa, at napatunayan ko nang nagwo-work ang sistema ko ng mixing sa bawat batch. Sana ay nagtiwala ang lahat na alam ko ang ginagawa ko at na masusi ko itong laging pinag-aaralan bawat hakbang nito. Alam ko kung paano makaramdam ng rejection dahil na-reject na rin ako nang maraming beses. Kaya alam ko ang nararamdaman ng mga hindi natanggap. Kaya sinikap pa naming hanggat makakaya ay gumawa ng paraan para mag-accommodate ng as many as possible,” he explained.
(I have been doing this for more than four decades, and I have proven that my mixing system works with every batch. I hope everyone trusts that I know what I am doing and that I will carefully study every step of the way. I know what it feels like to be rejected because I have been rejected many times. So I know how it feels for those who are not accepted. That is why we tried as much as we could to find a way to accommodate as many as possible.)
The veteran playwright expressed his hope that this will be his first and last clarification on the matter, yet he stressed that he remains “open to dialogue” as everyone should share the same goal: to uplift others and improve the industry. /edv
