Ricky Lee reflects on being National Artist
It has been two years since Ricky Lee was awarded a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, but to this day, he still feels that he has yet to get used to it.
"Hindi pa rin ako sanay na sa akin naka focus yung attention, that's why naging writer ako, maski director ayaw ko kasi yung director napapansin. Sanay na ako bilang scriptwriter na meron akong 20 percent na attention, pero ngayong National Artist na ako, siguro naging 60 percent to 70 percent na," Ricky said during the sideline interviews at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Cine Icons held at the University of Sta. Tomas in Manila recently.
(I'm still not used to the attention being focused on me. That's why I became a writer, even as a director. I don't want it because they all gained attention. I'm used to being a scriptwriter because I only have 20 percent attention, but now that I'm a National Artist, the attention is probably 60 percent to 70 percent already)
Ricky also mentioned that during his recent appearances at CCP events, he still has difficulty greeting everyone in the audience when the host acknowledges his presence.
"Tuwing tinatawag ako sa events sa CCP, nahihirapan pa rin ako tumayo at lumingon. Naiingit ako kasi sina Alice Reyes (National Artist for Dance) kasi siya tumatayo at kumakaway siya sa likod, tapos ako hindi ko alam kung lilingon ba ako," he said.
(Whenever I got acknowledged at CCP events, it was still a struggle for me to get up and greet everyone. I envy Alice Reyes because she stands up and waves at everyone at the back. As for me, I'm still wondering if I should look back and do the same.)
Ricky admitted that he consciously tries to remind himself that he needs to get used to it.
"Lagi ko na sinasabi sa sarili ko na kailangan ko na masanay kasi kailangan ng atensyon ng writer. Hindi lang ako, kundi yung mga writers in general, then maybe makakatulong ako na mabigyang pansin sila, at maisip nila na may writer na nag eexist at nagsusulat ng pelikula," he added.
(I always tell myself I must get used to it because a writer needs attention. This is not only me but also the writers; in this way, I can help them. And make people think that there is a writer who exists and writes a movie)
A new generation of writers
As a prominent screenwriter in the film and TV industry, Ricky shared his thoughts on the new generation of screenwriters and their techniques.
"Ang masasabi ko lang is very daring sila in a way na kayang-kaya nila gumawa ng storya na nonlinear, like atras abante na panahon. Kumbaga kaya nilang palipat-lipat yung mga characters kasi ganun yung generation ngayon," Ricky said.
(All of them are daring because they can create a nonlinear story, like going back in time. It seems that they can move the characters around because that's the generation today)
Despite the changes in how writers create their stories, Ricky mentioned that writers must still know how to create an original story.
"I think mahalaga sa paggawa ng pelikula, ay yung pagka Pilipino, kasi bago tayo mag-click abroad, kailangan makita nila na Pinoy na Pinoy yung gawa natin. Hindi yung gawa na kinopya lang," he added.
(I think one of the crucial things about making a film is that it has to be Pinoy-made because before we click abroad, they need to see that our work is original and pure Filipino. Not the work that was just copied)