Why John Prats enjoys directing

John Prats is the latest addition to the long list of well-loved actors to step behind the camera. John (Pratty as I call him) is into directing. Many may not have probably known that John sat as director in several episodes of Tonight With Boy Abunda under the guidance of director Arnel Natividad.

From the early days of his acting career, John had proven his acting chops in both comedy and drama. Thus, the idea of working behind the scenes never crossed his mind. He revealed to have had felt slightly offended when director Laurenti Dyogi asked him if he wanted to direct.

“That was two years ago and that time I still did not have a contract with ABS-CBN, so when direk Lauren said that he felt I needed to become a director, I admit that at first, I felt offended,” John recalled. “And then I began asking myself why, am I not fit anymore to do acting and instead, I should become a director?”

—Photos from John Prats’ Instagram

Nonetheless, John said, he decided to try it. He began walking to meetings with Dyogi, Reilly Santiago and the heads of non-narrative shows that resulted to the start of his directorial training.

“During my training, I called up direk Arnel to inquire about his shows and the possibility of me going with him on the set so nag-sit in ako sa kanya and I will never forget the first night I was with him in Tonight with Boy Abunda. He handled its first episode and then in the second episode, he let me do the task, ako ‘yung pinaupo n’ya. My gosh, talagang grabe ‘yung pawis ko kasi di ko pa alam ang gagawin ko. I was really stressed that time.”

Well, the first time is always the hardest, isn’t it? There’s really a daunting feeling that comes with going into something new.

But look at him now. Apart from having had the chance to direct some episodes of Tonight With Boy Abunda and Gandang Gabi Vice, John was also behind Moira dela Torre’s music video for Malaya and he, likewise, is handling the singer’s concert titled Tagpuan at the Kia Theatre tonight and tomorrow, Feb. 18. It won’t be a surprise if you happen to see his name rolling on the closing credits of film in the future.

“I have to admit that I truly enjoyed the whole process of making the music video,” he said. “Hopefully, someday commercial and film naman. ‘Yun ‘yung gusto naming puntahan dahil na-enjoy namin ‘yung proseso. We were also able to unleash our respective talents like for example, Angelica (Panganiban) when it comes to her being creative. Sam Milby is a great editor at ngayon lang n’ya na-realize na mabilis s’yang mag-edit. He knows what he is doing so we are perfect as a team.”

In 5 on 45, John revealed more about himself that many people don’t know about. Here goes:

“Ako ang mas malambing sa amin ni Liv (his wife Isabel Oli).

“I still get nervous even when I do the same thing for a long time. My hands get cold before the start of the show. In Banana Sundae, sobrang pinagpapawisan ‘yung kamay ko sa nerbyos.

“I don’t eat dinuguan even if it’s Liv’s favorite. Although, I’ve tried it at okey naman.

“It’s a tough thing for anyone to wake me up in the morning.”