Award-winning filmmaker Dan Villegas is stepping into a new era of storytelling through vertical filmmaking for a short series of a local cheese brand.
During an intimate interview at the advanced screening of Cheese the One, the acclaimed director opened up about the challenges and creative opportunities that came with directing a vertically-shot short series for Eden Cheese.
“Mahirap ‘yung adjustment sa start kasi nga nahirapan ako sa blocking especially for this na we have more than two characters. Dahil sanay tayo sa format ng TV, pelikula. Sa widescreen, iba ang blocking,” Direk Dan explained.
Despite the initial difficulties, the director described the experience as both exciting and creatively fulfilling. “Challenging siya, kailangan pag-aralan, kailangan i-rewire ang sensibility, pero at the same time, fun siya gawin kasi it’s a challenge and it’s something new for me.”
Having experienced it firsthand, Direk Dan expressed interest in exploring this new format with other aspiring directors and creatives. Open to innovation, he understands the necessity of finding out other ways of navigating this new perspective.
“As a filmmaker and a teacher, feeling ko dapat na siya ma-discuss kasi it’s the future. Alam ko controversial, pero kasi (although) may resistance kasi nga parang cinema is made to be widescreen, pero ang point ko is change is hindi mapipigilan so kailangan natin pag-aralan paano magkwento,” he explained.
Aside from the format, the director also emphasized that it demands a different pacing, editing style, and cinematographic style and approach.
“Hindi lang ‘yung format niya ay being vertical but also the length. You have to have a certain kind of pace, so not only sa director but also editor and cinematographer as well because the frames have to be eye catching,” he added.
“Masaya siya kasi bago siya. Wala pang naka-set na rules but hopefully sabay-sabay matutunan itong genre ng ganitong paggawa ng pelikula,” he said.
While he remains open to the new format, he clarified that embracing vertical storytelling does not mean abandoning traditional cinema. “Open ako to change and kung ito yung parang pinapanood ng mga tao, especially sa downtime, so why not embrace it? Kasi as a filmmaker, kaya ako nandito kasi gusto ko magkwento so regardless of kung saan, why not let’s embrace it,” he suggested.
“Magiging part siya ng culture natin. Parang siyang transition noong film dati from traditional to digital. Maraming resistance sa paglipat, tapos ‘yung iba ‘let’s embrace change’. Pero sa akin pwede mag-exist both at the same time kasi may mga kwentong babagay sa vertical and may mga kwento para sa widescreen. Para sa akin, let’s embrace the change,” he maintained.
He also expressed excitement for vertical filmmaking, saying: “Exciting part for me is to learn kung ano ‘yung nuances na involved kapag gagawa ka ng material for this kasi dahil may sarili siyang format, pwede ka gumawa ng maganda, magandang kwento. Gusto ko ‘yun pag-aralan kasi kung nakakapagkwento ako and naibibigay mo ‘yung brain experience for the people na mag-enjoy, worth it siya gawin.”
Marking Edem Cheese’s 40th anniversary, Cheese the One is a hugot-filled family drama that follows a young wife, played by Netty Inojales, as she tries to win the approval of her formidable mother-in-law, portrayed by Connie Cuneta. Meanwhile, her husband, played by Marc Acueza, struggles to keep the peace within their growing family.
The series is set to premiere on May 10 in time for Mother’s Day, across Eden Cheese’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube platforms.