How Michael V veers away from formula in directorial debut
Michael V (left) with wife Carol Bunagan
For Michael V, it’s crucial to stay on top of the creative process, especially for the production of his very first film as a director, “Family History,” because it will serve as his “business card” of sorts, as he ventures into the movie industry.
“It will, hopefully, set a template on who I am as a filmmaker. It’s produced, directed and written by me, and I also star in it—I’m hands-on with everything. But I’m enjoying it,” he said in a recent interview.
“I see filmmaking as a controlled medium, so you have to be there from the beginning: the planning, the layouting of the story … I do the storyboards, make the rough edits. And if things don’t go according to your vision, replace, revise or reshoot,” added the multihyphenate artist.
The film—a coproduction of GMA Pictures with Michael V and his wife Carol Bunagan’s Mic Test Entertainment—centers “on a family, a problematic relationship and a disease, and how it affects everyone.” However, that’s all he’s willing to divulge about the plot at the moment.
“It’s not an ordinary film. It’s a cross of comedy and drama, but it’s something that’s hard to categorize,” related the actor-comedian, who had been doing extensive research for the movie this past year.
“I have been preparing for this for so long, and I feel that this is the right time to finally do it. I did a lot of research on various relationships and the problems they face. And when it came to the happy moments, I drew inspiration from my own marriage,” he related.
Michael V is sharing topbilling with Dawn Zulueta—“an unlikely pairing,” he conceded. But, at the very least, it’s expected to pique curiosity.
“I want viewers to go, ‘Pwede pala ’yun?’ And we hope to make it work,” said the “Bubble Gang” creative director, who described working with Dawn as nerve-wracking. “Acting-wise, she’s great—a professional. She’s great at memorizing lines, so I get embarrassed when I mess up.”
“Family History,” which is slated for a June opening, also features Paolo Contis, John Estrada, Miguel Tanfelix, Bianca Umali, Ina Feleo, Kakai Bautista and Nonie Buencamino, with cameo appearances by Eugene Domingo and Dingdong Dantes.
In terms of comedy style, Michael V said the movie would have touches of his sitcom, “Pepito Manaloto.” “It will be fun and happy, but may kurot at some point. But that’s it, as far as similarities are concerned; there’s a conscious effort to veer away from the ‘Pepito’ formula,” he said.
What’s the biggest difference in creating content for television and film? “You have to be aware of the size of the screen; all the nuances count,” said Michael V, who vowed not to fall prey to the one thing that never fails to annoy him when watching movies—characters who narrate their actions.
“Like when a character goes, ‘Papatayin ko ’yung aircon’ while he’s actually turning the aircon off—it’s something I really hate. That, and when the characters are alone and talk to themselves. I mean, who does that?” he said.
Michael V admitted that he was unsure about what exactly made a film click nowadays, especially with the popularity of online streaming. But he’s keeping his fingers crossed. “Hopefully I have put all the right elements together. I hope that will be enough to satisfy the audience,” he said.
