The challenges of shooting ‘RitKen’s’ romantic debut film in the new normal

Rita Daniela (left) and Ken Chan

In the last week of August, for the first time in months, Ken Chan and Rita Daniela had their first location shoot in Pagsanjan, Laguna, where they filmed some scenes for their “RitKen” love team’s upcoming debut film “My First and Always.”

“It’s our first time working outside, so I’m excited,” Ken said, in a video conference for the romantic drama film.

Protocols were strictly observed, director Louie Ignacio assured. The number of crew members were limited; swab tests were conducted and protective gear were worn. Representatives from the Department of Health and the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force were also present during taping. “Safety was our priority,” Louie said.

Asked about the challenges of shooting a romantic movie in the “new normal,” and how he was able to work around the limitations, the director told the Inquirer: “We adjusted that script in a way that will make the final product look like it was shot without restrictions. Of course, we will miss doing big scenes. So for this movie, I’m focusing on the emotions and situation the characters are in. That will carry the movie.”

Produced by Heaven’s Best Entertainment, the film will have Ken playing Luis, a seminarian just a few years away from becoming a priest. His definition of love has always been about serving God. But that changes when he meets Luisa (Rita), a bar singer who—despite having been in a number of relationships—has yet to experience “real love.”

The past couple of weeks also saw Ken and Rita returning to the variety show “All-Out Sundays” through home-filmed performances and numbers. And the experience has been proven to be instructive for both.

“It was tough at first. But once I was able to get the lights and equipment and green screen, I was good. I’m not really a techie, but now I’m learning them all—the lighting, camera angles, setting up the background. I managed to learn all those,” he said. “And I got to experience how production works these days.”

“I think I have already adjusted to the work-from-home setup. I have been doing my own makeup for the longest time, but I didn’t know how to do my hair. Now I can. I also have my own work setup, which I put up and pack up by myself,” Rita added.

Ken and Rita’s unexpected screen tandem gained popularity in the GMA 7 series “My Special Tatay.” And while they maintain that they’re merely friends off screen, the two actors still manage to inspire “kilig” among their fans. Their chemistry, they agreed, all boils down to trust.

“We don’t hide anything from each other; we’re open. I think that’s one of the secrets why we’re able to deliver what’s asked of us, she said. “And we don’t have to force things outside of work. We’re happy with where we are and what we have now. I believe that if we stay friends, we can go farther and do more things.”

“We trust each other. That’s important to us. And the fans can see that in our rapport. We’re comfortable with each other,” Ken added. “There are no walls.”

He also believes that it would be better to keep their friendship and working relationship “pure.” “I feel like if you put romance or commitment into the mix, our work will inevitably get affected. And that’s something directors and executives have also told us,” he said. “But we love and respect each other. We treasure our friendship.”

The goal is to have “My First and Always” shown in cinemas someday, presumably when the pandemic eases up. But the producers are also exploring “other options.”

“We’re thinking about that, planning for that. There are many platforms available now and we’re hoping to reach as many people as possible,” said actress-producer Harlene Bautista of Heaven’s Best Entertainment. “But of course our priority is still the cinemas. We’re hoping that things can go back to normal soon. The industry has been sidelined for so long. We have to be hopeful.”

On the set of the “RitKen” tandem’s first movie, “My First and Always”

In this time of pandemic, where showbiz projects are smaller, few and far between, Ken is reminded of an indispensable piece of life advice his mentor, the late star-maker German Moreno, used to always give him: Save your money.

“This is something I have learned from Kuya Germs: If you were to earn P10, spend only P2, and set aside the rest. And I have been doing just that,” he recalled.

The habit has paid off. But that’s no reason to be complacent.

“I believe that something like this can happen again,” Ken said of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. “I feel blessed because, somehow, there’s still work coming in. But I have to double the effort—and the same goes for everyone. We have to think of new ways to earn money.”

“This has been a big lesson for me,” added the 27-year-old Kapuso actor.

Like Ken, Rita has also been readying herself for the long haul. Aside from television work, the singer-actress has a skincare-related business venture and has gotten herself into vlogging.

“We can’t say how long things will stay this way. But should this continue, it’s better to be prepared. I’m on YouTube, Kumu (live streaming app for games) and other online apps. I’m maximizing those,” she said. “There are other places to earn.”

Her faith in God also helps the 24-year-old GMA 7 talent to keep her peace in these uncertain times.

“I do have savings, but not the kind that will allow me to just sit around for months. Sometimes, you just get surprised at how you manage to get through each day. I believe that God will make ways to help you and still help you help others,” she said.