Article posted June 04, 2007
Rating:
Despite the expected rush of Ouija’s first shooting day, Direk Topel Lee granted us a quick interview in between takes. Read up on what this budding full-length film director has to say.
Question: Is this movie loosely based on an existing foreign film?
Answer: Ay hindi, original concept siya. They called me up, they had this script (already), so I just developed the treatment.
Q: How were the actors cast?
A: This is every director’s dream. To have the almost extreme number one actresses sa industry natin. So it’s really something. Nastar-struck nga ko at first e. Halos lahat ng chapters one take lang. So it’s really great. I think all of my friends would really envy me.
Q: Is this your first full length film?
A: Actually this is my second. My first one was an independent film, Dilim (2005). This was granted by Cinema 1 and after that I got a break from Regal to do the Shake Rattle and Roll last year. I worked with Iza (Calzado) and Sheryl Cruz for that one.
Q: So why a horror flick mid-year?
A: I think they’re looking for an after-school movie.
Q: What sets this apart from the other horror movies?
A: I guess it’s more of my treatment din. Well, my education is more on creating a unique or distinct (element) for every (film), kasi I used to make music videos. Actually, gumagawa pa rin ako.
Q: Can you cite examples?
A: Bamboo, Hale, and Kamikazee’s “Doo bi doo,” ‘yung mga ganoon. I did “Hallelujah” too, and “Sablay.” So most of my works are music videos and short films; they are very experimental. So right now, this is something new for me, na I’m doing a lot of mga dialogues. So at the same time, I’m trying to implement ‘yung experimental thing to the movie.
Q: What makes you excited about this film?
A: Of course, it’s getting this kind of production. When I do mga guerilla, o ‘yung mga short films, I don’t get this. Right now, I have a crew for every equipment. Sa short films, I do the writing, or sometimes I do the lighting also. This time everything is here.
Q: What’s your inspiration for directing this film?
A: What sets this apart is the actresses; it’s the first time na gumawa si Jolina at si Juday, and (also) the first horror film of GMA. So nag-prepare talaga kami for this genre.
-- Interview by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Photos by Connie M. Tungul.
