One of the largest, most credible cable channels in the world will be broadcasting a four-part documentary on Philippine basketball beginning in October. In line with the global trend of producing content for regional markets for possible intercontinental distribution, the channel, known for excellence in programming that pioneered in global exploration and diversity of different cultures, found the subject fascinating from different points of view.
The production team that will be producing the documentary to be broadcast is Caelestis Productions, Inc., which produced the highly acclaimed “Laban” movie in commemoration of the EDSA revolution. Caelestis president Sally Jo Bellosillo, who was once a segment producer on “The Basketball Show”, is leading the production team.
“This is a big honor for us to have been given this project,” says Bellosillo. “The Philippines is such an interesting cultural mix, and its passion is basketball. There is nothing like the fanaticism of the Pinoy basketball fan anywhere in Southeast Asia.”
Internationally, cable channels are tailoring their programming for specific markets. Years ago, ESPN started the trend by dedicating satellites for China and India, the two largest markets in the continent. Some cable channels spend in the neighborhood of $1 million per hour of programming, only to find a certain disconnect when their predominantly Caucasian programming comes to Asia. The answer was to create programs by Asians, for Asians.
It took almost a year of negotiations for the project to finally get off the ground. Much of the effort was in translating contracts, procedures, insurance, copyright issues and other matters from an American perspective to Filipino norms. The back and forth between the channel’s headquarters in the US, their Asian offices in Singapore and Hong Kong, and their Philippine offices. Everything had to be done just right.
Caelestis will also be flying back “Pacific Rims” author Rafe Bartholomew to host the mini-series. Bartholomew, whose book on Philippine hoops quickly became the third-highest selling book of 2010 behind “A Purpose Driven Life” and the “Twilight” saga. The cable channel’s executives liked his non-Filipino observations on this illogical love affair, and he will once again collect experiences on the country’s love for the game from an outsider’s point of view.
The documentary, to be scripted by this writer, is tentatively titled “Obsession: Basketball and the Philippines”. Production will entail almost one month of shooting and four months of post-production. Caelestis’ team of directors, cinematographers, editors and technical personnel have individually trained with the BBC, CNN and HBO, and bring together their considerable talents for a homegrown project for the first time.
“We’re really excited about this project, because we will be working at home, and on something close to our hearts as Filipinos,” admits Katrin Escay, the London-trained director who will be guiding the documentary. “The fact that it’s basketball will make it all the more colorful and fun.”
One episode will be dedicated to the Philippine Basketball Association, primarily devoted to its history and operations. The team will be doing a test shoot at the semifinal games this Sunday. Another episode will be an in-depth look at fans who have become part of the game but who are not known to the general public. Other stories will revolve around future superstar players, those who made it big in pro basketball, and those who didn’t.
“Obsession” will hopefully break the ice for other top-notch Filipino producers to gain respect and international exposure on the world’s most famous channels.
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Ateneo High School Batch 1978 has slated a live pay-per-view showing of the Pacquiao-Mosley fight on Sunday, May 8 starting 8 a.m. at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater at the Ateneo de Manila grade school. Proceeds will go to the Jesuit Infirmary to benefit elderly members of the Society of Jesus. For inquiries and reservations, contact Ana from the Ateneo Alumni Association office at 426-6001, local 4687 or Ida from the Office of University Development and Alumni Relations at 426-6001 local 4081 or email pacquiao.vs.mosley@gmail.com The event is sponsored by Century Properties in cooperation with the Ateneo Alumni Association.