Chris Martinez loves books on writing for film

His current movie Status: It’s Complicated under Regal Films is his very own “homage” to National Artist Film Director Ishmael Bernal whose movie Salawahan is his movie’s inspiration. Chris Martinez graduated with a business administration degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman Campus. How he went from business administration to the business of show would take up a whole other column.

At the premiere of his movie, I asked Chris to share his favorite books.

1. Woody Allen and Philosophy (You mean my Whole Fallacy is Wrong?) edited by Mark Conard and Aeon Skoble. “Always been a fan of Woody Allen. In my book, he is the best screenwriter/director. In this book, philosophers write about why they love his films.”

2. Comedy Writing Secrets: How to Think Funny, Write Funny, Act Funny and Get Paid For It by Melvin Helitzer. “I got this from the book fair years ago, just before I was about to embark on writing my first screenplay for Jeffrey Jeturian’s Bridal Shower. It taught me that the most effective comedy is the one that is rooted in emotional pain. It also made me realize that comedy should never take political correctness into consideration. Always go for the kill.”

3. The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri. “All playwrights or even screenwriters must’ve read this book. I still open this once in a while, just to get me back to the basics. It was my playwriting mentor, the late Rene Villanueva, who asked us to read this many many summers ago.”

4. Cinematic Storytelling (The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker Must Know) by Jennifer Van Sijll. “Now, this book, I can’t live without. I believe this is the best filmmaking book I own. My favorite. I remember reading this cover to cover, preparing to direct my first film, 100. It’s like going through a directing course in 260 pages. This book is an experience.”

5. Kilometro Zero by Eugene Evasco. “This collection of poetry by Palanca Hall of Fame awardee Eugene Evasco is very special. Why? Because it’s dedicated to me. And his folks!”

6. Last Order Sa Penguin by Chris Martinez. “Last Order sa Penguin won first prize in the Palanca Awards. It was my first win and I’ve been trying to win one for more than 10 years! This play paved the way for my career as screenwriter and director. We staged this play with my theater friends in UP. Jeffrey Jeturian and Bing Lao saw it and asked me to write a screenplay for them. That was the time I shifted to making movies.”

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“The Reading Club” recommends Beyond His Control (Memoirs of a Disobedient Daughter) by Linda Hale Bucklin — a true story. May be available in National Bookstore or Powerbooks.