LFC opens Isapelikula to public, guest speakers no show

LFC opens Isapelikula to public, guest speakers no show
by Bernard Manalac

Loyola Film Circle (LFC), Ateneo de Manila’s premiere film organization, opened its filmmaking seminar series Isapelikula to non-members and non-Ateneans alike Wednesday, August 29 but produced a no show from its guest speakers.

According to LFC Human Resources Executive Xela Avilla, screenwriters Michiko Yamamoto (“Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros”) and Raymond Lee backed out at the last minute due to miscommunication between LFC’s public relations department and the two screenwriters.

Director Jade Castro (“Endo”) on the other hand got stuck in traffic and never made it to the venue.

“LFC failed not in securing the connection but it failed in a sense because it wasn’t able to make the filmmakers feel the urgency and the need to be there,” said Avilla. “We are targeting the event to be rescheduled this weekend.”

Isapelikula is a seminar series dedicated to filmmaking which began earlier this month. Conducted once a week, it immerses participants to a wide variety of films and provides workshops on the different techniques and processes involved in the production of films such as directing, screenwriting, production design and cinematography.

Initially planned as an LFC members-only project, it is now being opened to non-members one Wednesday a month. Even if the first attempt was a failure, if the upcoming sessions turn out to be successful, the organization will completely open it to the public according to LFC Production Executive Ayo Supangco.

If this pushes through, non-members will have the opportunity to meet and have classes under the big names in the roster that LFC has prepared.

Aside from Yamamoto, Lee and Castro, the list includes Quark Henares (“Keka” and “Super Noypi”), Sherad Sanchez (“Huling Balyan ng Buhi”) and cinematographer Nap Jamir (“Tuli”, “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros”, and “Rizal”).

Although the workshops are conducted by group, Isapelikula aims to discover the potential individual capabilities of each participant and to develop this potential.

“We really focus on individual development,” adds Supangco. “Tutok talaga kami sa development of the talents of our future filmmakers.”

The primary participants, composed only of the organization’s members, were screened and tested in order to measure their knowledge and skills in the various aspects of filmmaking and monitor their progress through the course of the seminars.

Isapelikula will culminate in December in an event entitled “Under the Stars” wherein films produced by the participants will be shown and judged.

(L to R) LFC President Benedict Olgado and Production Executive Ayo Supangco

conducting the workshop in place of the no show Jade Castro