He began his career at age 21. Clients at first were wary of entrusting their ads to such a young man until Benaza proved to them that vision and the abilities of a director, and not age, are the things that matter. An abbreviated list of commercials A.F. Benaza directed include McDonald’s, Johnson & Johnson, San Miguel, Bench, Coca-Cola, Toyota, Squibb and various Globe Telecom ads.
This young director spent his childhood in Houston, Texas. He graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Submitting to the idea that you cannot make a difference in this world.
What is your motto?
A Latin saying that I impose on my team, "Audaces fortuna iuvat" or "Fortune favors the brave."
What is the first thing you look for when you meet a woman?
I look for ambition. With ambition, everything follows: her appearance, the way she carries herself and presents herself to best achieve her goals.
On what occasion do you lie?
When people I’m not so comfortable with ask me my age, I tell them I’m 28.
Which living person do you admire most?
My parents, Ray and Helen, who made so many sacrifices to send me and my brothers and sisters through school. At first, I thought I needed a certain level of ability to get into design school, but my parents encouraged me to at least try.
Who or what is the greatest love of your life?
Above everything else, what drives me is the passion I have for my work. It has made me stand out in my industry, although, a lot of times it has gotten me into trouble because I am so opinionated.
What is your passion?
Sharing with the rest of the visual community what I have to offer. It’s something that only other artists can really understand.
How do you resolve your conflicts?
I make an effort to identify the problem. If it is a problem with someone I work with, I try to bring it out in the open. In advertising, we try to collaborate which is why I enjoy the agencies that work with me. I approach the problem from different perspectives and figure things out before I take action.
What sports/hobbies do you like most?
I am notorious for getting a lot of my colleagues into Airsoft, where we wear military gear and shoot each other. It’s insane. I stopped playing video games because of Airsoft.
What film influenced your life?
One of them is Gattaca. It is about a world of genetic perfection in which a guy who is not perfect wants to be accepted. It’s an amazing film that deals with modern society and how people perceive each other.
Which hero of fiction can you most identify with?
Gundam. When I was a kid I read a lot of comic books like Gundam of the Japanese animation series. The pilots are usually reluctant young kids and they used the Gundam to fight their battles.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Sometimes I am a little too worried about what other people would think. I put a lot of effort in my work and I always look back and think that it’s never good enough.
How do you start your day?
I am asleep till someone from the office calls me and the service picks me up.
What is your current state of mind?
Anxious to get into narrative film. They are the reason why I got into school, and I think it’s about time. They appeal to an audience on a more personal level.
If you had the chance to change something in your life, what would that be?
To figure out a situation where my family is not so far away from each other. There are five of us kids. I have two brothers and two sisters, and I am the only one living in the Philippines.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My muscle-car collection. I own a ‘67 Camaro SS (Super Sport) and a ‘68 Mustang GT Fast Back. Both are icons of the American automotive history. Very satisfying to own something from that era. There’s something about these cars that is just so intimidating. I love vintage designs. Feels warmer and more genuine, as compared to the cold, computer-derived designs of cars now.
What words or phrases do you overuse?
My staff quote me as always saying, "What are you talking about?"
Which historical character would you like to have been?
James Dean. He had an attitude and intensity of character that I would like to have throughout my own career, but rather behind the camera as opposed to being in front of it. The guy defined the image of "cool."
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
The day I wake up and realize that I have nothing to complain about.
What is your favorite occupation?
My most fulfilling work is photography – just me and my subject. It is so much more intimate.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
With those I work with, people who can maintain their composure no matter what happens.
E-mail babycamp2@yahoo.co.uk.