Vertical format challenges Philippines industry with shorter shooting days, campy acting

MANILA, Philippines — With viewers glued to their mobile devices, the local entertainment industry is venturing into the vertical video format. However, the artists are faced with shorter shooting days and the untapped waters of campy acting, but they are up for the challenge.

In the making of the Viva Movie Box micro drama “The Mentor,” actress Ashley Diaz admitted that it took her some time to adjust to the content’s closer blocking.

“Nahirapan ako sa blocking kasi vertical, ‘di kami kasya kapag ang layo ko. Naka-ilang take kami. May challenge talaga palagi na lakihan ang mga eksena kung hindi man sa mga pangyayari o sa mounting, sa acting or emotions,” she said in a recent press briefing.

“Borrowed Life” actress Phoebe Walker, who plays an antagonist role, echoed her sentiments.

“It’s vertical, it’s campy. Hindi ako ganun umarte. I’m very nuanced when I act. Nahirapan lang ako with my role, actually, especially with the climax na malaking sabunutan and everything. Nagkaroon pa ako ng pasa and gasgas, very intense.”

Despite the vertical frame, campy moves work in the format, which is not new to “The Borrowed Life” actress Ella Cruz. She portrayed larger-than-life characters.

“Nakakatuwa po kasi may ibang experience naman po doing vertical series kasi po ang dami naman po talagang nanonood ng vertical series,” Ella said.

“Kahit na micro drama, nag-abang pa rin po sila kasi kilala po ako na gumagawa ng mga cute-cute kahit na 10 years ago, ‘yan na ginagawa ko, kahit ngayon pwede pa rin, sige go, cute pa rin, kilig-kilig pa rin,” she added.

For the “Borrowed Life” director Easy Ferrer, there is really a fine tuning in the characters that would require them to go either so big or very subtle.

“Nakakapagod talaga kapag vertical kasi kailangan mataas… may mga pagpihit silang kailangang gawin na nakuha naman nila given na short ‘yung shooting days. So, kailangan naming makuha agad,” the director said.

“The Mentor” director Bobby Bonifacio Jr. factored in the importance of experienced actors given their limited time in shooting.

“Pagdating sa micro drama, usually, it’s better to get good actors na kasi nga ang konti ng araw, ang daming eksena. Ang laking tulong na naka-trabaho namin si Ms. Eula Valdez kasi ‘yung pressure kay Ashley nag-level. Hindi dahil sa akin gumaling si Ashley, sa kasama niya, si Ms. Eula,” Bobby said.

“Ang hirap niya para sa artista talaga kasi nagtatrabaho kami with a limited number of shooting days and a limited number of hours. Lahat ng emotions need ibuhos. Hindi pwedeng may days na emotional, may days na hindi,” he added.

The director admitted that every episode is a sequence. So, they should give it their all for the audience to be hooked.

“Every sequence is one episode. So, sa bawat sequence na one episode, ‘yan kailangan bigay todo. May sampalan, matinding iyakan, may galit na kailangan gigil talaga. Ganyan ang vertical drama na bentahe natin sa ngayon.”

Despite the challenges, Ashley sees the need to venture into vertical videos.

“I think it’s important na mag-venture tayo sa ganito para may variation naman ‘yung entertainment natin, and kailangan nating sumabay sa innovations ngayon kasi lahat tayo naka-glue sa cellphones natin.”

Bobby also stressed the need to venture into the format, noting that as they lean on the campy acting, it may make a breakthrough that could lead into a different direction.

“I think it is important because it is the entertainment industry evolving and venturing out into different forms pa para manatili rin tayo. The way to still be relevant in this industry is to keep evolving. Eh, sa ngayon ang nakikita natin ngayon sa busy life ng mga Pilipino, hindi pa rin nawawala ang atensyon nila sa entertainment, pero saan lumalabas? Sa cellphones,” the director said.

In spite of the evolving landscape, Ella is glad that she’s still able to make people happy with her craft.

“Ang maganda naman po sa vertical series kahit saan mapapanood mo. Hindi mo kailangan na aabangan mo siya sa TV and all, basta may cellphone ka, mapapanood mo siya.”

All episodes of “The Mentor” and “Borrowed Life” are available on Viva Movie Box.