Judy Ann Santos on why co-producing ‘Espantaho’ is worth the gamble

In her decades-long career, which began when she was a child star, Judy Ann Santos has worn multiple hats — actress, host and now, film producer. However, stepping into the roles of both lead star and co-producer in the horror/family drama “Espantaho” — her first Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry in this dual capacity — came with its fair share of challenges and lessons.

Under the direction of master horror storyteller Chito S. Roño from the screenplay of Chris Martinez, “Espantaho” is veteran producer Quantum Films’ 20th-anniversary offering. Judy Ann’s Purple Bunny Productions with husband Ryan Agoncillo served as co-producer.

“Sa pagpo-produce, nag-o-observe lang talaga yung entire team,” Judy Ann told The STAR during a recent press interview. “Wala naman kaming alam technically, especially sa movies. We just really wanted to try it out and see what is out there when it comes to producing. (I would always ask myself) kaya ko ba (can I do it)? Parang hindi ko masyado kaya (laughs).”

Prior to “Espantaho,” her first and last experience at producing happened to be accidental. This was in 2008 for her film “Ploning,” also the Philippines’ Oscars submission that year. “We had a good run. I really had a great experience. Yun nga lang ‘di pa ako ready maging producer kasi wala na akong ibang alam kundi maglabas ng pera (laughs). Hindi nga ako nagtanong, ‘May mababalik pa ba?’ Kasi naka-focus ako mabalik yung pera nung ibang investors.”

While she enjoyed the experience with “Espantaho” this time, Judy Ann’s nature sometimes made it difficult to make tough decisions. “Masyadong makatao yung puso ko… For example, bumabagyo — automatic para sa akin, sige, huwag na lang tayo mag-shoot ngayon kasi kawawa naman yung mga tao.”

Prioritizing safety and the well-being of the crew over deadlines and expenses, she acknowledged, might not really align with the expected mindset and job of a producer.

“Hindi ko pa naiisip yung part na ‘yun — yung producers’ brain na (dapat iniisip mo) yung deadline, nabayaran mong tao, yung location… Umo-automatic ako talaga ng kikitain naman din natin yan and at some point, mas importante yung safety ng mga tao.”

For “Espantaho,” she recalled they had to pack up the shoot at times with their schedule disrupted by successive typhoons that hit the country this year.

‘Espantaho’ tells the story of Monet (Judy Ann) and her mother Rosa (Lorna Tolentino) who are mourn- ing the death of the family patriarch Pabling. During the nine days of mourning, dark secrets and a ma- levolent plot start to unravel.

“Kung napanood niyo yung ‘Espantaho,’ nakita niyo ang mga eksena na may ulan, basa, hindi naman dapat kasama talaga (laughs). Pinanindigan na rin namin kasi hindi kami aabot. Umabot na kami sa punto na gusto namin ipa-CG (computer graphics) ang basang kalsada. So hindi nga ako pwede maging producer kasi nga, ‘Sige i-CG natin.’ ‘Juday, mahal ang CG.’ ‘O sige, ‘wag natin i-CG (laughs).’”

From left: Quantum Films’ Joji Alonso, Lorna Tolentino, direk Chito, Judy Ann, Chanda Romero and screenwriter Chris Martinez.

Despite the challenges, Judy Ann seized the opportunity to learn on the job. One of the things she took pride in was helping create a “happy set.” Following direk Chito’s directive, she said the “Espantaho” set adhered to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regulations on work hours — from call times to break times.

Aside from that, she also made sure her crew is well-fed and comfortable.

“Gusto ko kasing busog sila, nakakain sila… For me, if the people are not happy working in our set, it’s not worth it. I want a happy set. For me, you can’t buy happiness on set,” Judy Ann explained.

“Pagod kasi sila lahat and ang tindi ng mga sets namin. Ang pinaka-bawi nalang sa kanila is yung makakain sila ‘pag nakaupo sila. Or for example, ‘pag nag-tse-change ng setup, may ibang nakakasubo sa kanila para walang magreklamo.”

Finding the right partners

When asked about any producing plans after “Espantaho,” she shared that it’s hard to say for sure, but for now, she plans to focus on studying the process more. If she decides to be a producer again, acting might have to take the backseat.

“Mahirap magsalita ng patapos… pero sa ngayon aaralin ko muna ng matindi. Kung mag-focus sa pagiging producer, siguro may isang mag-ste-step back. Kung magiging artista ako, artista ako. Maybe I can produce a project wherein I’m not the actor,” she said.

“Kung ako man, maybe by then dapat alam na alam ko na yung capacity ko bilang artista.”

Judy Ann also acknowledged the importance of having around seasoned co-producers to “guide” her. She credited Quantum Films head, lawyer Joji Alonso, for being a transparent and reliable partner.

“I enjoyed the process (and learning that this is how it’s done). I always say that once you decide to venture into producing, it’s really nice to find a producer who will guide you along the way, all throughout every detail. Like with Atty. Joji, she’s very transparent, very honest, very straightforward.

“She’s a great business partner because full transparency yung pinakita niya sa akin. Kaya ko sinasabi — kasi ang bait-bait ni Atty. Joji — but as a producer, her being lawyer and all also comes out. Ganun pala yun. Maalaga siya sa pagkain, alaga rin siya sa ganito. Pero yung utak niya, umiikot din when it comes to budgeting, from this to that.

“If I ever become a full-fledged producer, I’d want to get a bit of Atty. Joji’s resilience, straightforwardness, strength pero yung puso niya bilang producer, nandun pa rin at yung puso niya bilang tao. She’s not just any producer. Madalang ng makakita ng ganun, ‘di ba?”

The long-time film producer was also the one who proposed to Judy Ann to come onboard as a producing partner. Looking back on the overall experience, Judy Ann described “Espantaho” as a gamble worth taking. “Worth it siya sugalan. Hindi naman mangyayari palagi na may pelikula kami ni direk Chito. And it’s horror and MMFF pa. So, why not? Wala naman sigurong mawawala. At the end of the day, kung may mababawi, may mababawi. Kung wala, sana may mabawi (laughs).

“As an actor and co-producer — ‘di naman masyado malaki yung inambag ko dito — but we want the film to earn and be noticed because everybody did their best here. And the same with the other films, lahat naman nagtrabaho.”

Best actress buzz

Meanwhile, the Best Actress buzz is strong for Judy Ann, whose last MMFF entry, “Mindanao,” also won her the plum in 2019.

She admitted that such talk could be stressful. She added, “Maaring cliche pakinggan… ang dami talagang magaganda sa latag ng entries ngayon, pero para mapansin yung trabaho naming lahat sa ‘Espantaho,’ I think we did a very good job. That alone nakakataba ng puso.”

“Napakalaking bonus kung sakali man kasi andyan si Ate Vi (Vilma Santos for ‘Uninvited’), si Aicelle (Santos, ‘Isang Himala’), si Julia (Montes for ‘Topakk,’ Barretto for ‘Hold Me Close’), ang dami ng mahuhusay.

“When I saw the trailers, ang titindi din ng mga bata, kumbaga kumakasa din sila sa actingan. Nakaka-proud and nakakatuwa na marami ng sumeseryoso sa larangan ng pag-arte na hindi lang ito basta pera-pera lang or basta papaganda. I’m happy that there’s respect for this job. Yes, it’s very glamorous but it’s also very tedious.”

Most likely tedious because she’s one that doesn’t take her own work for granted. Her mindset suggests a perfectionist approach to her roles, constantly thinking of ways to refine her work even after the film is completed.

For example, when asked to comment on early positive reviews on her performance in the film, Judy Ann shared that she doesn’t consider herself a good judge of the movies she works on.

Surprisingly, she admitted that she’s never confident about her work, even in films she made years ago. She often feels like she could have done better or opted for another approach.

“Hindi talaga ako kakampante sa trabahong ginagawa ko, sa bawat pelikula na ginawa ko even from years ago. Parang feeling ko, pwede ko pang galingan dito or parang medyo mas okay siguro kung ito. Naiisip ko na — yun na pala dapat ginawa ko.

“Hindi lang ako bilib sa aking sarili pagdating sa trabaho and I think that’s a good thing… You’re always on your toes when it comes to whatever part of the job or what role is given to you.

She mentioned that she would feel secure whenever direk Chito would instruct to “change the setup.”

“Actually, nakakapit lang ako ‘pag sinabi ni direk Chito, ‘Okay, change setup.’ Because hindi ka naman bibitawan ni direk Chito sa eksena… or parang magsabi siya na okay, moving on, kung hindi siya happy sa trabahong ginawa mo,” Judy Ann said. “And if he still wants to polish the film, he would really say it and even announce it on the mic.”