Bela Padilla revealed on February 24, her reason for filming her directorial debut amid the pandemic, noting that she wanted to provide jobs for movie industry people.
During the media conference for 366, Padilla recalled how Viva assigned her the directorial seat and the lead role for the movie project.
“And, when they said–when Boss Vic and Boss Vincent na ikaw na rin ‘to. Like, ikaw na gumawa ng project na ‘to I didn’t think twice, I said yes.”
She then noted that other people in the movie industry have been urging her to direct a movie, admitting that she’s been putting it off because of the constant stream of acting projects.
“There have been many people that have been telling me (I guess in the past four to five years) na it was time for me to direct already.
“Pero I guess in a sense, hindi ko pa siya gusto gawin kasi nga ang dami pang dumadating na blessings.
“Ang dami pang inaassign sa akin na mga pelikula or TV shows. And more than anything I am an actress before I am a writer or a director. Lagi kong inuuna ‘yung mga acting projects na binibigay sa akin.”
She then said that the pandemic helped her accept the project, especially because she wanted to provide jobs for movie industry people who lost their livelihood.
“Noong pandemic doon ko talaga napag-isipan ng seryoso na, bakit hindi nga? And obviously, marami tayong mga kapatid sa industriya na lagi natin nakakatrabaho mga crew at mga production na siyempre nag-alala din kami nung team na baka wala silang ginagawa or wala silang trabaho noong pandemic so naisip namin na i-push na talaga at i-shoot na talaga ‘nung pandemic ‘yung 366.”
Padilla also detailed how she switched between acting and directing while filming the movie.
“Parang mayroon ka dapat on/off switch kasi syempre–lalo na kapag kasama ako sa eksena, or mayroon akong co-actor sa set with me. I had to think up to the last minute of directions for everyone. Tapos right before mag-action ng assistant director ko I had to be in character already. So mayroon ka dapat on/off switch in your head.”
Padilla cited international director Wes Anderson as her movie influence while filming the movie.
“Parang nakaka-relate ako kay Wes, na-eenjoy ko ‘yung mga movies niya. From The Royal Tenenbaums, kahit ‘yung latest niya, the French Dispatch. Gustong-gusto ko ‘yung shots niya na laging naka-gitna lang tapos ang quirky ng outfits ng mga artista niya, very stylized. Tapos ‘yung color palette niya kung hindi sobrang yellow, sobrang blue. Parang lahat pinag-iisipan niya kapag nagsho-shoot.”
Despite having experienced acting, writing, and directing, Padilla confessed that she still feels insecure about her talents.
“Ako definitely. I mean, up to now, I still have insecurities as an actress and [also as a] writer. I don’t think I would ever be completely fulfilled with my work because I always want to be better. And I think that’s important in growing na to acknowledge na you can always learn more or you can always be better.”
Padilla stars in the Viva movie 366 along with actors Zanjoe Marudo and JC Santos.
Under the direction of Padilla herself, the tragedy-romantic film streams on Vivamax on April 22.
