Mowelfund intensive workshop nurtures filmmaking dreams

BOOTS Anson Roa Richard A. Reyes

“If you want to be better actors and directors, you can also learn from your students.”

This was according to actor-director Soxy Topacio, who is one of the resource speakers for directing in the Mowelfund Film Institute’s (MFI) 25-day Intensive Summer Filmmaking Course, slated in May.

“I grew up being part of Peta (Philippines Educational Theater Association Inc.), which believes that an artist should share his talent. You can’t just keep it to yourself,” said Topacio. “Kids today are more fortunate. There weren’t workshops when I was just starting in the business.”

The MFI is the education arm of the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, Inc. (Mowelfund). The workshop is scheduled from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Mowelfund Plaza, 66 Rosario Drive corner Ilang-Ilang St., Brgy. Immaculate Conception, Cubao, Quezon City.

Regularly held every summer, the workshop covers basic technical exposure, with hands-on exercises in digital filmmaking. (Log on to www.mowelfund.com for details.)

Among those invited as resource speakers are Raymond Red and Carlo Mendoza for cinematography; Edgardo “Boy” Vinarao and Jay Ramirez, editing; Boots Anson Roa, acting; Jun Lana, scriptwriting and directing; Manny Morfe, production design; Mon del Rosario, musical scoring and direction; Fritz Silorio, prosthetics and special make-up; and Topacio, directing.

SOXY Topacio

The MFI was founded in 1979, recalled Red, who used to be its workshop coordinator: “It used to be the most prominent film education institution in the country. I joined the group in 1985. At the time, there were no film courses in universities yet. It was very popular back then because it offered lessons in the different aspects of filmmaking.”

“I always take time to teach. It is my advocacy. It feels weird to look back because some of my students are now award-winning directors and cinematographers,” he said, referring to celebrated filmmaker Lav Diaz and cinematographer Larry Manda.

“What is interesting about the workshops is that at least two speakers are invited per subject, so that students are exposed to different perspectives,” Red pointed out.

Tuition will cover handouts and use of equipment, hands-on sessions and a three-day shoot for a short-film thesis.

Topacio added: “Toward the end of the course, participants will be made to write their screenplays and direct them. They will be able to apply what they’ve learned in their culminating activity.”

E-mail [email protected]