Cinemalaya Congress 2012 presents Mainstream vs. Indie: friends? enimies? allies?

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The objectives of this Independent Film Congress is as follows:

to define the characteristics (a.k.a alternatives) and mainstream film making, and clarify the relations between them.
to see how indie and mainstream film making can benefit from each other of at all; and
to establish how each can contribute to the development of Philippine Cinema, either together or independently of each other.

On the first day, July 24, Sir Raul Sunico Ph.D. the President of Cultural Center of the Philippines stated his welcome remarks, and followed by Congress Director Nicanor Tiongson Ph.D. for the presentation of congress program and objectives (as you can read above). The keynote address was held by film maker and scholar Mr. Clodualdo "Doy" Del Mundo Ph.D. Some of his statements included the following:

The 1960's cheap film producing which was the "dead film era" in the Philippines.
Mike de Leon's "Itim" and "Maynila" films.
Gerardo de Leon and Lamberto Avellana's "G" films.
Lino Brocka "do good story telling, three dimensional, make socially involved films..."
1970's Sine Manila Film Festival
Commercialism still prevailed in the 1970's (e.g. the number of Nora Aunor (20) and Vilma Santos (22) films). Therefore the 1970's did not improve because of commercialism and the informal production of films
However, the 1980's New Wave Films subsided
Ishmael Bernal slowdown in film making
Only Lino Brocka made his films until he died 1990's, the new wave ended.
compromised 90's films are even more commercialized history of footnotes, did not develop that much
the advent of new technologies (New wave, New Millenium)
Ditsi Carolino Documentaries
Cinemalaya started 2005, and phenomenal Independent films prevailed
Distinction from Mainstream and Indie: Mainstream (Generic, Commercialized, dictated by corporations, genre movies, in studio production) Independent or Alternative, (1)takes risks, (2)anything that the mainstream is not, (3)not generic, (4)can be as short or as long, (5)independent from something mainstream, (6)commercial system is not needed, (7)how to market films and build audience.
"Build great audience, before great film" by Lino Brocka
(1) Appropriation then (2) Re-Invention (more exciiting, coming&changing)
Mainstream hopefully would see wisdom to give freedom to new film makers
Mainstream and Indie will remain separate. This is how should be.

The first panel included the following persons:

from UP Film Institute
Moderator: Patrick Campos
.."Bigyan ng matalinong pelikula ang Pilipino"

translation: "Give Filipinos 'smart' films"

Speakers:

recent films produced for Cinemalaya are "Amok" (2011) and "Posas" (2012).

Lawrence Fajardo

....."Gagawin ko yung pelikulang para sa akin ay gusto ko..."

trans: "I make films the way I wanted it.."

film mixer and film sound recordist

Mike Idioma

"we don't go for mediocrity, if you do film you have to do it with standards.."
"going to mainstream, you have money, Indie goes for socially relevant/educational films."

journalist, and educator.

Lito Zulueta

"Alternative films have spirit, freedom, and independence..."
"for me indie is educational, and an advocacy"
"film makers should guard themselves from commercialism.."
it's healthy to maintain terms & definitions for distinguishing the mainstream & independent films which give advocacy/freedom..."

Philippine Star, Free Press, and Twitch correspondent

Oggs Cruz

> "audience are catered from what they comprehend"

> "there are good films made from indie but they are limited to the acknowledgement they desire... we are creating a poor unhealthy cinema..."

The second panel still discussed or continued to tackle the first objectives, and they are as follows:

Moderator: Flordeliz Abanto

Currently a co-executive producer and co-host of Sugpuin and Korupsyon Walang Kukurap, a Catholic Mass Media Awards Hall of Fame Awardee for Radio Public Service Program and a co-production of DZRH and the CCP.

Speakers:

Award winning mainstream Director

Joey Reyes

"in mainstream, you agree with the rules of the film, may pananagutan ka parin..."
"television acting ruins an actor, because they are required to act 'acting'..."
"Break the film grammar, then make a new film language/grammar..."
"the term 'Indie' has been misused & abused during the past time... misbranded as (1) kabaklaan, (2) mahirap intindihin..."
"In mainstream, inaassume nila na 'bobo' and tao/audience.. there are also creatives who intervene in making films in mainstream, sa indie, wala, kung ano naiisip mo as film maker it happens..."

Theater and Film Actress
Shamaine Buencamino

"it's different if you act in camera, it's scenes are not continues, you need to cut, retake, etc. when you're on stage you project your emotions, but in camera you don't show that much you hide it a little bit, mainly the camera shows it for the audience (camera angles, etc.)"
"to be an actor/actress in mainstream, i think you basically need marketable ability, and fan base..."
" most of the Indie film makers love the art of film making..."

Producer of Here Comes the Bride and Ang Babae sa Septic Tank
Joji Alonso

"more actors are valued in Independent films.."
"I have been very fortunate, I treat all my films like my baby, I'm so involved in it..."

Actress
Glaiza de Castro

"in mainstream, were given typical 'tested' roles, supporting roles, I was given a different role with Indie where in I had the chance to explore more with my acting skills..."
"in Indie, it's not T.V. acting, the hardest acting is not acting..."
"bilang artista, gumagawa kayo ng karakter on your own, not just the one based on the script.."
"indie is getting exploited by large corporations that make a Digital film subsidiary from the parent prod. company and produces cheap films and making it 'indie'..."

For Panel 3, they tackled the second objective where you defy how Indie, and Mainstream can benefit from each other.

Moderator: Mario Hernando, Film Critic and Journalist

Speakers:

Teng Mangansakan III, Moro film maker

Tammy Dinopol, Star Cinema's Creative Department for more than 10 years.

"mainstreams are based on consumption..."
"i have learned to 'live and let live'..."

Diwa de Leon, professional composer, arranger, all-around musician.

"(1) money, (2) audience pace, largely dictates what films to make"
"sometimes, audience doesn't know what they want until you give it to them", Steve Jobs.
"audience are hungry for more..."
"Directors are the boss in Indies.."