When I See You Once More [Until shoot 7 of 20]
[photos from SWAN DIVE's UNTIL music video shoot]


[continued from album 6 - http://elvert.multiply.com/photos/album/288]

Many people always ask me about the cast and how I go about the casting process. For starters, I wrote the treatment with Angel (Aquino) in mind. So everything you see in the final music video already played in my mind.

I came to know Angel way back in 2005 when we were both sent as Philippine delegates to the First Filipino Film Festival in Beijing (People's Republic of China). We went there together with National Artist Eddie Romero and director Jeffrey Jeturian. I have already heard great things about her and I wasn't just able to confirm them --- it went beyond expectations. Angel is so real and down-to-earth (just like Swan Dive - Bill and Molly - who are pure geniuses!). Every moment with Angel is time not wasted. Before we parted ways in Beijing ('coz she went ahead of us for a shoot in Hong Kong) she was sweet to leave us cute little gifts with matching personal note. I already told her I want to work with her someday. I did not know it would be that soon.

When Bill agreed on a collaboration, I immediately called Angel and told her about it. She told me that she's excited about the (then proposed) music video. We just had to look for that particular shooting date because she is always busy with her TV show and other commitments (everybody wants to work with her it seems).

Working with Angel on set is more thrilling than I expected. On record, I really do not cast celebrities and showbiz-related people in my films and videos and so this marks my first time (after 43 short films and 1 finished and yet unreleased full-length digital film) to cast a known (and respected) film actress and TV personality. I was always telling her: "Angel, my sets are simple and guerrilla type ha. It's usually just me and a handful of people." She'd just tell me, "Naku, that's okay. Ano ka ba."

On set, I'd just give simple instructions then she clarifies a very few things and then we'd do the take. A great 98% were just done in one take. We'd only take more if I want to take other angles so I can "sew" them together during editing. I love the way she shows her emotions here in "Until". She shows what I exactly wanted. I want her to be a little restrained here and its a great wonder how much restraint she shows (considering restraint is not much practiced in Philippine cinema acting).

Angel is also an intelligent collaborator. She makes very apt suggestions and I would readily give in to them because they all make so much sense creatively or otherwise. I can go on and on with this but all in all, Angel is a joy to work with. Words are not enough to describe her beauty, talent and attitude. I am more than delighted to collaborate with her. She's such a joy to work with. As a director, I am creatively fulfilled in doing this music video with her. And I hope to work with her again, God willing.

[next: I will share my thoughts about the other cast members - to be continued]


photos by Jen Cabrera
copyright (c) 2007. Ex Ventures Unlimited & Lifesavers Production
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